MANILA, Philippines—They might have lost many things -- jobs, businesses, possessions -- but not their faith.

Surviving a year rocked by a global financial crisis, hundreds of thousands of devotees jostled each other to get near the image of the Black Nazarene Friday, offering thanks and prayers during what organizers said was the longest procession they could remember.

The procession left the Quirino Grandstand at 8:30 a.m. But after nine hours, it was not yet over.

Church volunteer Romeo Roxas, 46, blamed the large crowd jostling to get near the Black Nazarene, believed by many to possess miraculous powers, for the delay. Organizers had planned to complete the procession by 3 p.m.

Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales estimated the number of people who joined or watched the procession at between two and three million.

Sought for an explanation for the huge crowd, Roxas, who was among the marshals securing the front line of the procession, said: “It is because life is difficult.”

The procession only took seven hours last year, Roxas recalled.

Forty-six year-old Emmanuel Fernandez, a father of five children, was one of those hoping the Black Nazarene could help him find a better life.

“I am praying that He would help me in my small business,” Fernandez, who owns a small canteen in Las Piñas, said.

“Business was not that good last year,” he added, saying he needed to earn enough to support the schooling of his five children, two of whom will be in college.

His devotion began when he lost his job in 2002. Seeking help for his finances, he had been joining the procession—barefoot from his house like many devotees-ever since.

“It is painful,” he said, referring to his sore feet, as he plodded along behind the image’s float. “But it feels good to join the procession.”

The procession had a longer route this year, taking wider roads than the narrower ones it traditionally passed through in Manila’s downtown Quiapo district.

Devotees waiting at the original route as announced earlier were surprised, however, when the float bearing the image they were waiting for did not show up.

It turned out that residents within the Quiapo area had pulled the rope around the image toward its old route, diverting the procession.

“They wanted the image to pass within the Quiapo area so only they could receive the blessings,” one devotee said. Others also complained about the sudden detour.

Those waiting on Recto Avenue ran to Quezon Boulevard near the church after learning that the procession had been diverted about 2:30 p.m.

But after waiting for an hour on the northbound lane of the road just beside the church, they learned that the procession was on the other side. The crowd again rushed to cross the road, standing on the one-meter-high center island.

Two women were seen being carried on stretchers by rescue volunteers after news that the image was already near spread. It turned out that the float was still on its way to Arlegui Street, back on the traditional route.

Philippine National Red Cross volunteer instructor Francisco Vargas said his station attended to some 23 patients who got dizzy or sustained wounds. They also rushed two elderly women to the Philippine General Hospital after they showed signs of a possible heart attack.

Different people showed up with different prayers. There were government officials like Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo who showed up by himself.

He did not have any specific wishes. This was his first time in eight years to join the procession in Manila as they also have their own procession in Naga City.

Robredo, also a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, amazed by the passion of the devotees who were hurling handkerchiefs even at the replicas of the Black Nazarene which preceded the main statue, lamented: “If only this degree of faith translated into action...”

Families showed up together, like that of 58-year-old Bobby Diamson who not only brought with him his wife and their three children, but also his first grandson Joshua, three months old.

“I wanted to offer my first grandson to the Black Nazarene,” said Diamson, who has joined the procession in the last 30 years, said.

Criminology graduate Terence Rellama, 22, wished he would finally land a job, just like his neighbor Ericson Silang, 22, who did not finish high school but also hoped to find a job.

“I pray that I get a stable job. It is hard to survive from driving pedicabs,” said Silang, the youngest in a family of five children.

There were many people who also showed up not to ask for favors but to keep a promise for a prayer earlier granted.

Nestor Diaz, 56, who works for a soda company, walked barefoot from his house near Cubao, Quezon City for getting -- and keeping -- his job in 1988.

“I am happy that I am still strong enough to keep my promise,” he said, looking at his feet, his toes covered with band aids after getting wounded during the procession.

Teacher Mercedes Epe, 60, braved going to the church alone despite her weak legs also to continue fulfilling her promise.

She was grateful for getting a permanent job in 1987. She said that the Black Nazarene heared her prayers, keeping her strong despite her illnesses.

Dolores Hiponia, 52, was also grateful. She did not ask any specific wish, but on Friday she managed to earn a lot from selling shirts bearing the image of the Black Nazarene.

It is a family affair: She was on Quezon Boulevard with her husband and two daughters.

Though people complain about the economic crisis, Hiponia said they sold more shirts this year than last year.

She whispered that she earned P20,000 this year. She earned only P10,000 last year.

“Who says we are in a crisis?” Hiponia, who has been selling shirts with the image of the Black Nazarene in the last eight years, jested with a smile, grateful for an early blessing this year.