The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) in cooperation with the city government of Manila will hold a motorcade of the revered image of the Black Nazarene on Good Friday, April 7, at 12 midnight around the vicinity of the church.
Quiapo Church rector and parish priest Fr. Rufino Sescon, Jr. said the motorcade will showcase the faithful’s strong devotion to the Poong Hesus Nazareno, particularly during the Holy Week.
"This Good Friday, we will hold a motorcade as a show of our strong devotion to the Black Nazarene. Devotees will have a chance to pay homage to the revered image,” said Fr. Sescon.
For her part, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said the motorcade will serve as a test case for the holding of the feast of the traslacion on Jan. 9 next year.
Fr. Sescon encouraged devotees of the Black Nazarene to observe proper discipline, order, and cooperation during the motorcade which will help organizers to properly plan the feast of the traslacion next year.
"Let us show our strong devotion to the Black Nazarene by observing a peaceful and orderly motorcade. Let us show our love for our Mahal na Señor this Good Friday in preparation for his grand feast on Jan. 9,” Fr. Sescon said.
Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Allyson Valdez said heightened security will be enforced around the Quiapo Church this Holy Week, particularly during the motorcade on April 7.
Meanwhile, the local Church rejoiced with the recovery of Pope Francis who had been released from the hospital Saturday, April 1.
From the Director of the Holy See Press Office:
"Today, in the morning of Saturday 1 April, Pope Francis was discharged from the A. Gemelli University Hospital.
As he left the Polyclinic, Pope Francis got out of the car and greeted the people present. He embraced a couple who lost their daughter last night, pausing to pray with them.
The Holy Father then headed for the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed before the icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, for all the sick and those suffering due to the illness or loss of loved ones. He prayed in a special way for the children he met yesterday in the hospital's pediatric oncology and children's neurosurgery ward, entrusting them to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin.”
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown asked the Filipino faithful for prayers for Pope Francis who was hospitalized early this week due to bronchitis.