For the Ferrer family of Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City, being able to fulfill their yearly devotion of attending the traditional Traslacion is something to be thankful for.

However, with the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, Ronaldo, his wife Marilou, and their three children ages, 7, 18, and 19 could not be physically present in Quiapo Church or at the Luneta Grandstand to witness the annual Traslacion in honor of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as Poong Nazareno.

When the pilgrim image replica of Quiapo’s Black Nazarene arrived at the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City for the localized Traslacion, the Ferrers were there to attend the welcome mass, as their annual vow of attending the religious gathering in Manila has been suspended due to the pandemic.

Ronaldo told Manila Bulletin that his family has been a devotee of the Black Nazarene since 2004.

“Sakitin po kasi ang isang anak namin kaya palagi naming ipinagdarasal sa Poong Hesus Nazareno na patuloy siyang ilayo sa mga sakit (One of our children is sickly that is why we continue to pray to the Black Nazarene to keep him away from illnesses),” Marilou said.

She also revealed that her family’s financial status has improved since they became devotees of the Black Nazarene.

As part of their devotion and thanksgiving, the Ferrer family has been giving free meals to their neighbors every January 9, the feast day of the Black Nazarene.

The replica of the Black Nazarene from Quiapo is on a three-day visit to the Antipolo Cathedral until January 2.

A farewell mass will be offered at 12 noon on January 2, before the image leaves the Antipolo Cathedral.

The visit to Antipolo City is part of the localized Traslacion that the Quiapo Church is implementing following the cancellation of the traditional activities in Manila every January 8 and 9 that attract millions of devotees.

The lyrics of the hymn, “Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno,” written by National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro, who hailed from Angono, Rizal, was sang by the choir during the arrival of the image and during the Masses at the Antipolo Cathedral.

Novena Masses are being offered at the Antipolo Cathedral in honor of the Black Nazarene every 12 noon until January 8 as part of the localized Traslacion activity in the city.