Traslacion 2020: What devotees need to know

In this January 2018 photo, devotees force their way through the crowd to touch the rope connected to the carriage bearing the Black Nazarene during the Traslacion or grand procession in Manila. INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Originally posted on January 6, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — “Traslacion”, or the procession of the life-size image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to the Quiapo Church, is an annual religious event in the country attended by millions of Filipinos.

Here are some of the things devotees need to know:

Days leading up to Traslacion 2020

A nine-day novena masses for the Black Nazarene commenced December 31, 2019, and will end January 8, a day before the hours-long procession.

A rite of blessing of all estandartes from various organizations was also held inside the Quiapo Church on January 4, which will be followed by a blessing of replicas of the Black Nazarene from various parts of the country on January 7.

Devotees from across the country whose Black Nazarene replicas would be blessed Tuesday were also expected to join the Traslacion on January 9, according to Quiapo Church officials.

Prior to the actual procession, several traditions will be held at the Quirino Grandstand to let devotees access the Black Nazarene.

Among them is the “Pahalik” where believers will be allowed to touch and kiss the Black Nazarene’s image beginning January 8. An overnight vigil will also take place at the Quirino Grandstand.

Day of Traslacion

The day of the feast will kick off with a celebration of Holy Mass led by His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle as homilist and Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel as the main presider at 12 midnight January 9.

Morning prayer will then be held at 5 a.m., with the procession starting at 5:30 a.m.

Traslacion 2020’s route will be as follows:

• Quirino Grandstand
• Left at Katigbak Drive thru Padre Burgos St.
• Right at Padre Burgos St. thru Finance Road (counterflow)
• Left at Finance Rd. thru Ayala Blvd (counterflow)
• Left at Palanca St.
• Right at Quezon Blvd
• Right at Arlegui St.
• Right at Fraternal St.
• Right at Vergara St.
• Left at Duque de Alba St.
• Left at Castillejos St.
• Left at Castillejos St.
• Left at Farnecio St.
• Right at Arlegui St.
• Left at Nepomuceno St.
• Left at Concepcion Aguila St.
• Right at Carcer St.
• Right at Hidalgo thru Plaza del Carmen
• Left at Bilibid Viejo thru Gil Puyat
• Left at JP de Guzman St.
• Right at Hidalgo St.
• Left at Quezon Blvd
• Right at Palanca St. thru under Quezon Bridge
• Right at Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda

There will also be an arrangement of 14 prayer stations in different areas in Manila.

Some do’s and don’ts

• • Pregnant women and persons with disabilities are advised not to join the procession
  • Do not bring children to the procession
  • Do not wear jewelry items to avoid falling prey to robbers
  • Do not cross areas marked as off-limits
  • Do not stand by in bridges along the route
  • Do not bring “estandartes” or replicas; if unavoidable, place them at the back of the procession
  • Do not argue with authorities tasked to maintain peace and order during the procession
  • Do not join the procession if suffering from a heart ailment, and other dangerous health problems
  • Do not remove placed concrete barriers and steel railings
  • Do not bring items such as sharp and fragile objects, liquor, gun, and drone equipment, among others

Edited by KGA