Over 15,000 Black Nazarene devotees joined the Thanksgiving procession around the vicinity of Quiapo Church on Saturday night, Dec. 30. 

The Quiapo Church management said that the procession started at exactly 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, after the communal praying of the rosary. The "andas" of the Black Nazarene returned to the church around 1:45 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31.

It is said that the procession is conducted yearly, where devotees show their gratitude for the entire year of blessings that they received. 

“Ito ang taunang Thanksgiving Procession, ngayon ay 'Walk of Thanksgiving' na hinango sa naganap na 'Walk of Faith' na originally dated ng Dec. 31 pagpatak mismo ng January 1. Subalit ito ay nabago noong 2019 na ang dahilan ay upang ang lahat ng deboto ay makapaghanda o makapag-ayos pa ng mga kinakailangang gawin para sa kanilang Media Noche, kung kaya't ginawa na itong Dec. 30, patalon ng Dec. 31 (This is the annual Thanksgiving Procession; now it is "Walk of Thanksgiving," which is derived from the "Walk of Faith," which was originally dated from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1. However, it was changed in 2019 for the reason that all devotees can prepare for their Media Noche, which is why it has been made Dec. 30, fall to Dec. 31),” it said.

During the event, the image of the Black Nazarene was already placed inside a glass box to keep it safe from damage during the event. 

The procession started at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo to Villalobos Street, right to Palanca Street, right to Lacson Plaza, right to Carriedo Street, left to Evangelista Street, right to Gonzalo Puyat Street, right to Quezon Boulevard South Bound, left to Palanca Street, left to Quezon Boulevard North Bound, left to Arlegui Street, left Legarda Street, left to Concepcion Aguila Street, right to Carcer Street, right to Hidalgo Street, left to Bilibid Viejo Street, left to Gonzalo Puyat Street, left to Guzman Street, left to Hidalgo Street, left to Quezon Boulevard North Bound, right to Palanca Street, right to Villalobos Street, and ended again at Plaza Miranda.

The Walk of Thanksgiving procession was the start of the celebration, according to the released schedule of activities for the feast of the traslacion of the Black Nazarene, the church said.

It added that on Dec. 31, a novena mass will be held until Jan. 8. 

For Jan. 1 to 6, a barangay visitation will be conducted, while a blessing and procession of Black Nazarene replicas will be held on Jan. 3 and 4.

On Jan. 6, a holy mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. for the volunteers of Nazareno 2024, followed by the traditional “Pahalik” at 7 p.m. at the Quirino Grandstand and will be held until the eve of the feast on Jan. 8.

On Jan. 8, the “Panalangin sa Takipsilim” will be held at 5:30 p.m. followed by the vigil for the feast.

Read more: https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/29/quiapo-church-sets-activities-for-nazareno-2024