MANILA, Philippines - Organizers of the Feast of the Black Nazarene yesterday said they expect at least 12 million devotees to attend the nine-day novena at the Quiapo Church in Manila that would culminate on the feast day this Jan. 9.
Quiapo Church rector Monsignor Clemente Ignacio told CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), that they expect 12 million devotees to flock to the Black Nazarene from Jan. 1 to Jan. 9.
Millions of devotees from all over the country also participate in the translacion on the feast day of the Nazarene.
The translacion is the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to Quiapo Church.
Barefoot devotees join the procession as a sign of penance.
Joining the procession has also become a vow for many Filipino Catholics who want to express their gratitude for the favors they have received.
Last year, at least nine million devotees participated in the nine-hour procession that covered three kilometers from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, which is formally known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.
Ignacio said they have begun coordinating with Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino to discuss how to manage security, traffic and crowd control during the translacion.
In a related development, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the devotees and visitors not only to show respect to the Black Nazarene but also protect the environment.
“Combining our people’s amazing devotion to the Black Nazarene with action respecting, nurturing and defending Mother Earth will be a powerful force of hope and deliverance against those who trash and ruin the environment,†said Tin Vergara, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition.