The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded devotees planning to join the annual procession of the Black Nazarene to observe discipline and reverence, underscoring the sacred character of one of the country’s largest religious gatherings.
As preparations continue for Nazareno 2026, Church leaders urged the faithful to rely only on official announcements from the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene and verified Church social media platforms, warning that misinformation and exploitation often circulate through unofficial sources during the buildup to the feast.
The CBCP said discipline and order are essential expressions of genuine devotion, especially as millions are expected to take part in the Traslación on Jan. 9, when the centuries-old image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno is ceremonially transferred from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to its shrine at Quiapo Church.
The Minor Basilica has also unveiled the official theme and emblem for Nazareno 2026, bearing the scriptural message: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Church officials said the theme highlights humility as the heart of devotion, calling on the faithful to exalt Christ not through spectacle, but through lives of faith and service.
Under the banner “Debosyon • Traslacion • Misyon,” the 2026 emblem reflects three core values—praise, humility, and faith—which Church leaders said should guide devotees beyond the physical rigor of the procession and toward a deeper journey of discipleship.
“With his visit just nearing, let’s also take the Quiapo fiesta as an opportunity to show to the Holy Father that Filipinos have discipline in their devotion, and that it truly brings them closer to God and their neighbors,” the CBCP said in a statement.
The bishops also called on devotees to embody the true meaning of Nazareno devotion through prayer, sacrifice, penance, and self-giving, stressing that these virtues—not sheer numbers or endurance—define authentic faith.
The Traslación, held every Jan. 9, draws millions of barefoot devotees from across the country, making it one of the world’s largest annual religious processions and a major test of public order, faith, and communal responsibility.
