Tens of thousands of Catholic devotees participated in the "Walk of Faith" early Sunday morning, Jan. 8, after two years of canceled in-person festivities to solemnly celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

The number of faithful who joined the procession has reached over 88,000 as of 5 a.m., according to an estimate by Quiapo Church Command Post.

The "Walk of Faith,” which replaced the traditional “Traslacion”, was organized by church leaders, groups, and the Manila local government to allow devotees to pay their respects to the Black Nazarene while observing health and safety protocols amid the Covid pandemic.

Unlike the usual "Traslacion," the actual image of the Black Nazarene and replicas were not brought out for the procession.

One of the devotees who participated in the Walk of Faith, Edgar Pena, 37, said he is praying for his loved ones and that his family would have good health and a life full of happiness and love.

Pena, who is a member of Hijos del Nazareno Central, said he started to become a devotee 25 years ago as his parents would bring him to the Traslacion.

“Well, sobrang importante sa amin ang Traslacion dito mo kasi mararamdaman ung spirit ng mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno, ‘yung nakaugalian natin na meron nagtutulakan, nagbabalyahan, nagkakadakitan para lang makahawak sa lubid at makahawak sa Poong nazareno (Traslation is very important to us, because here you can feel the spirit of the Black Nazarene, what we are accustomed to is that there are people pushing, struggling, touching just to hold onto the rope and hold onto the image of the Black Nazarene),” the 37 year old devotee told Manila Bulletin, adding they would also line up for hours for the traditional “pahalik”.

Another devotee from Tondo, Elmer Navarrete, 45, said he also joined the activities during the Feast of the Black Nazarene to continue to pray for his family’s health and protection.

He became a devotee when he was 18 years old.

The "Walk of Faith" started at the Quirino Grandstand at around 1:45 a.m. and ended at the Quiapo Church at around 4 a.m.

The procession passed through the streets of Katigbak Road, Padre Burgos Street, Jones Bridge, Dasmariñas Street, Sta. Cruz, Palanca Street, Quezon Boulevard, Arlegui Street, P. Casal Street, Concepcion Street, Carcer Street, Hidalgo Street, Bilibid Viejo/ G. Puyat Street, Guzman Street, Hidalgo Street, Quezon Boulevard, Palanca Street, and Villalobos Street.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna also observed the procession as it passed in front of the Manila City Hall along Taft Avenue.

According to Manila Police District (MPD) Director Police Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, policemen joined the devotees in the "Walk of Faith" procession to ensure safety and peace and order.

Several personnel, K-9s, and medical teams were also deployed for any eventualities.

The Philippine Red Cross Emergency Medical Unit and first aid stations said it has already provided medical care to 99 devotees since the procession started.

Hours before the midnight mass and Walk of Faith, 46,795 people at the Quirino Grandstand and 28,298 within the vicinity of Quiapo Church were recorded as of 1 a.m. on Sunday.