Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula has reached out to the devotees of the Black Nazarene as he asked for their understanding and cooperation following the cancelation of this year’s Traslacion procession and the physical masses at the Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene) in Manila on January 9.

His Eminence said he is fully aware of the devotees’ desire and intention to attend the Holy Masses in commemoration of the feast of the Traslacion that had been canceled for the second year because of the pandemic.

“We are fully aware of your desire to go to the Quiapo Church for the feast of the Mahal na Senor. We are asking for your understanding and cooperation. Because of the pandemic, we are forced again to forego the traditional activities for the feast of the Poong Hesus Nazareno,” said Cardinal Advincula over Radio Veritas.

The Church leader expressed concern over the continuous rise in COVID-19 cases since the start of the new year.

“We are one with the government in our concern over the welfare of the devotees of the Black Nazarene. We do not want to further worsen the current situation by conducting a potential super spreader gathering,” the prelate said.

Quiapo Church rector Msgr. Hernando Coronel and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 have agreed to cancel this year’s Traslacion which attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees as well as the physical masses on January 9 to avoid large crowds.

Meanwhile, the faithful are invited to join the Holy Masses online through the official Facebook page of the Quiapo Church.

From January 7 to 9, all the Holy Masses which will be held by the hour at the Quiapo Church will be available to the faithful online,

Cardinal Advincula called for the cooperation and understanding of devotees “to allow the Poong Hesus Nazareno to visit your homes by taking part in the Holy Masses online.”