MANILA, Philippines -- Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene flocked to the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park late Thursday afternoon, hoping their wishes would be granted by the icon of Christ, which is considered miraculous by believers.

At the mass officiated by Bishop Teodoro Bacani, the devotees raised their hands in prayer asking for healing, forgiveness, and blessings.

The devotees came from several points in Metro Manila and hundreds more are expected to join Thursday's vigil, which signals the start of activities marking the feast day of the Black Nazarene, patron saint of Manila’s Quiapo district, on Friday.

Last year, an estimated 3 million people joined the procession for the Black Nazarene. Two people were killed in the crush while many devotees fainted and collapsed.

This prompted Catholic church officials to change the procession route, which traditionally starts and ends at Quiapo church. This year, the procession will kick off from the Quirino Granstand.

The route shall start at the Quirino Grandstand, passing through Burgos St., left at Taft Ave, McArthur Bridge, going to Rizal Ave, right at Claro M. Recto, right again at Legarda, right at Arlegui St., left at Quezon Blvd, right at Palanca St., right again at Villalobos towards Plaza Miranda.

The feast of the Black Nazarene attracts millions of devotees who believe it miraculously grants the wishes of the sick, the needy, and those with special requests.

The life-size statue of Christ survived fires that destroyed Quiapo church in 1791 and 1929, the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863, and the destructive bombing of Manila in 1945.