The faithful will once again show their devotion to the Black Nazarene as the Quiapo Church is set to conduct two main activities starting tomorrow Saturday, Jan. 7, leading to the actual feast on Monday, Jan. 9.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tradition of "Traslacion" and "Pahalik" will still not be present during this year's celebration. However, the Quiapo Church will introduce two activities: the "Pagpupugay" event and the "Walk of Faith" procession— to safely observe the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Images of the Black Nazarene will be on display for the Pagpupugay event at the Quirino Grandstand on Saturday until Monday.
"Kapalit po nung Pahalik ay isinagawa po natin ang Pagpupugay (Instead of Pahalik, we will have the Pagpupugay)," said Quiapo Church adviser Alex Irasga.
"So, ang mangyayari po diyan, ang bawal lamang po ay humalik. Pero pepwede po ang lahat ng deboto na humawak, kung may panyo pwedeng ipamahid ang panyo. Pwede pong magmano, huwag lang pong humalik (what will happen is that the only thing that is not allowed is the kissing . But the devotees can touch it or they can rub their handkerchief)," he added.
There will be separate lanes for persons with disability, senior citizens, as well as male and female individuals who wish to participate in the Pagpupugay.
Also, masses will be conducted at the Quirino Grandstand during this event, said Irasga.
To ensure that minimum public health standards will be observed, various personnel will be deployed in the area.
"As we have done po sa ordinaryong pagpupugay na daily, meron po tayong mga volunteers, ushers sa bawat point of entry, sa mismong imahe, at sa exit (As we have done in our daily pagpupugay, we have volunteers, ushers at each point of entry, at the image itself, and at the exit)," said Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Valdez.
"Alam na po nila kung ano ang gagawin (They already know what to do). We will do it orderly. As we have said, (there will be) observance of physical distancing," he added.
Walk of Faith
A procession called "Walk of Faith'' will be held after the midnight mass on Jan. 8. The procession will start from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
"We will not have the actual image of the Black Nazarene during the walk,” said Valdez.
The Quiapo Church said that the procession is projected to start at 1:30 a.m.
"Tantya po namin, matagal na yung tatlong oras na isasagawa po natin yung Walk of Faith (In our estimates, the Walk of Faith would only take three hours)," said Irasga.
"Hindi ito yung nakagisnan natin na inaabot tayo ng isang araw halos---bente tres oras....hindi na ho ganoon (This will not be the same as before wherein it would take us almost a day, 23 hours, to finish. It's not like that anymore)," he added.
During the walk, Irasga said that all "elements" of devotion will still be present as members of the church such as priests and sacristans will be joining the event and will pray the rosary. Devotees were encouraged to bring candles and single-hand carried images (two feet and below).
"Pagdating po sa simbahan, sa Plaza Miranda, magsasagawa po ng pagbabasbas ang ating mga kaparian upang tapusin na ang Walk of Faith at simulan na ang mga misa sa Simbahan ng Quiapo (Upon arrival at the church, at Plaza Miranda, our priests will perform a blessing, marking the end of the Walk of Faith. Then, masses will begin at the Quiapo Church)," said Irasga.
Irasga encouraged the public to strictly follow the health protocols such as wearing of masks, physical distancing, and the use of hand sanitizers.
"Yung Walk of Faith po natin ay isasagawa na isang pagdiriwang, isang pagsasabuhay na prusisyon ng maayos, mapayapa, at may mataas na antas ng kabanalan upang pagtibayin natin ang debosyon sa (The Walk of Faith is going to be a celebration, a procession that is orderly, peaceful, and with a high level of piety so that we can strengthen our devotion to the )," he said.
"Ipakita natin na tayo ay mga tunay na deboto. Tayo ay hindi mga panatiko. Ito ay challenge, gawin nating (Let us show that we are true devotees and not fanatics. This is a challenge, let's make it a) challenge for us to express our faith that the Catholic faith is really strong in spite of some missing elements of these celebrations," he added.
READ:
Quiapo Church issues guidelines for Nazareno 2023
Quiapo Church releases ‘Walk of Faith’ route
Devotees ‘ready’ for changes in celebrating Feast of Black Nazarene 2023—prelate