Black Nazarene replica to visit Diocese of Tarlac


The replica image of the Black Nazarene will be visiting the Diocese of Tarlac on Jan. 3.

Photo courtesy Fr. Melvin Castro

Based on the schedule posted by the diocese on its Facebook page, the image will arrive at the San Sebastian Cathedral at 4 p.m.

A Mass will then follow at 5:30 p.m.

It will then leave for the Mater Dolorosa Parish in Capas, Tarlac at 9 p.m. where there will be an overnight vigil.

On Tuesday, Jan. 4, there will be a "dungaw" and a Mass before it leaves for the Diocese of Nueva Ecija.

The visit is part of this year's celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church last month already announced that the traditional Traslacion of Poong Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church will still be postponed due to the continued surge of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Father Douglas Badong, Parochial Vicar of Quiapo Church, said the parish will localize the celebration of Nazareno Fiesta by bringing the image of the Nazareno to various places in the Archdiocese of Manila and neighboring dioceses.

He said this is to avoid the influx of the devotees in Quiapo Church to help prevent the spread of the virus.