Life-size replicas or images of the Black Nazarene that are more than two feet in height are not allowed at the “Walk of Faith” procession on January 8, 2023, the eve of the feast of Quiapo Church’s most revered religious icon.
Quiapo Church adviser Alex Irasga, said traditional activities to celebrate the Black Nazarene feast on Jan. 9 would be held except for pahalik (kissing), pasanan (carrying) and the procession of the image, called Traslacion.
“Our goal is to be able to conduct an orderly ‘Walk of Faith” or procession with a high level of piety to affirm the devotion in the faith of our Lord Jesus Nazarene,” Irasga said in a press briefing.
The Nazareno 2023 organizers expect the procession to start at 2 a.m. and to last in less than two hours after leaving the Quirino Grandstand.
“We will not allow images that are more than two feet, only allowed are replicas that can be carried by hand. We have already contacted the police that there will be checkpoints on the roads entering the Grandstand and Quiapo, and all those who are carrying huge images will not be allowed,” Irasga told reporters.
Before holding the Walk of Faith, Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr., rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) will celebrate the midnight Mass on Jan. 8.
They also encourage devotees who will attend the procession to wear face masks, bring alcohol and practice social distancing.
“You can bring a handkerchief, you can bring a candle, wear face masks, bring a disinfectant,” Sescon said.
On the other hand, Irasga urged the devotees to bring all replicas to Plaza Miranda for the priest’s blessings from Dec. 27 to 29.
“There will be blessing of images in the morning and in the afternoon,” he added.
On Jan. 9, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula will preside over the feast day Mass at midnight at the Quirino Grandstand.
The image of the Black Nazarene will be at the grandstand starting Jan. 7, 2023.
In place of the excluded activities, the feast organizers allowed pagpupugay (viewing and touching) and the “walk of faith” procession, which is a parade without the Black Nazarene image.
The Quiapo Church removed some activities including the Traslacion (parade of the Black Nazarene image) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through pagdalaw (visitation), priests and hijos will bring the image of the Black Nazarene to local parishes in different towns, barangays, sectors, offices, and communities from December 1 to 5 and December 27 to 29, 2022.
Pagbasbas or blessing of Black Nazarene replicas will be held at Plaza Miranda also from December 27 to 29, 2022.
A thanksgiving motorcade will be conducted from Plaza Miranda to some nearby streets and back to Plaza Miranda on December 30, 2022.
Masses will also be conducted in Quirino Grandstand on January 7, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. for devotees and 6:00 a.m. for administrators.
Pagpupugay will also be held in Quirino Grandstand in Luneta from January 7 to 9, 2023.
Another Mass will be held at the Quirino Grandstand followed by the “walk of faith procession” and a vigil on January 8, 2023.
The walk of faith procession will start from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on January 8, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On the day of the feast on January 9, 2023, another Mass will be conducted at the Quirino Grandstand.