Devotees are “ready” for the changes on how the Feast of the Black Nazarene will be celebrated this year, a representative from the Quiapo Church said.
“Ready for the new things, so far, okay naman. Sabi ko nga (it's okay. As I’ve said), this is a transition period. While we are bringing back the pre-pandemic practices, ini-integrate natin ang mga nakagawian nitong pandemic (we are also integrating the practices being observed during this pandemic),” said Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Valdez in an interview on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
“So far, people have been attending, mas litaw ang kagustuhan na magkaroon ng pagdiriwang (and their desire to have a celebration is more apparent),” he said.
Valdez said that many devotees are still participating in the events related to the Nazareno 2023.
“Marami pa ding tao ang dumadagsa para sa pagdiriwang na ito (Many people are still joining the events). Not to mention, it is not just centered in Quiapo Church but in other parts of the country,” he said.
Last December, the Quiapo Church conducted “Pagdalaw” activities, blessing of the replicas and standartes, and a thanksgiving motorcade in relation for this annual feast.
The Quiapo Church will also conduct a “Walk of Faith” procession on Jan. 8 and Pagpupugay event on Jan. 7 to 9. Masses will also be held in Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo Church starting Jan. 7.
Valdez believes that this year’s observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene will introduce a new way of celebrating this annual event.
“Our long-term plan is for gradual resumption. But, resumption will not be as it was in the pre-pandemic days, specifically in holding the concepts of Traslacion we have gotten used to,” he said.
“This is a transition period. While we are bringing back the pre-pandemic practices, we also want to integrate what we have done during the pandemic,” he added.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the activities related to this annual feast were postponed in both 2020 and 2021.
For this year, the “Traslacion” and “Pahalik” activities remained suspended due to the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 virus. However, organizers resumed some physical activities and introduced new ways of celebrating it such as the Walk of Faith procession and Pagpupugay activities.