Traslacion 2024 route, other details released

Devotees follow the carriage transporting the statue of the Black Nazarene during an annual religious procession in its honor in Manila on January 9, 2020 – before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the Philippines.  Thousands of barefoot devotees joined the religious procession in Manila on January 9, hoping to touch a centuries-old icon of Jesus Christ, called the Black Nazarene, which is believed to have miraculous powers. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Quiapo Church on Thursday released the schedule of activities and route for Traslacion 2024.

 The “Traslacion” is the procession of the life-size image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to the Quiapo Church.

Novena

In a Facebook post, church officials said that a novena will be held at the church every 12:15 p.m. from December 31 to January 8 – a day before the procession on January 9.

 The yearly blessing of the replica and estandarte of the Black Nazarene will also be held inside the Quiapo Church on January 3 and January 4 at 1:30 p.m. 

“Pahalik”

On January 6, devotees will be able to access the Black Nazarene via “pahalik” where believers are allowed to touch and kiss the Black Nazarene at Quirino Grandstand.

The “pahalik” at the grandstand will continue until January 8 when a vigil and program will also be held at 6:30 p.m.

“Misa Mayor”

The day of the feast will be welcomed with a Misa Mayor presided by the Archbishop of Manila, H.E. Jose Cardinal Advincula Jr. at 12 a.m. on January 9 at the Quirino Grandstand.

Church officials, however, are yet to release a schedule for the start of the procession. 

Procession route

According to the Quiapo Church, the Traslacion will take the following route:

• Quirino Grandstand
• Right to Katigbak Drive (left side)
• Right to Padre Burgos Street through Finance Road
• Straight to Ayala Bridge
• Left to Palanca Street 
• Right to Quezon Boulevard
• Right to Arlegui Street
• Right to Fraternal Street
• Right to Vergara Street
• Left to Duque de Alba Street
• Left to Castillejos Street
• Left to Farnecio Street
• Right to Arlegui Street
• Left to Nepomuceno Street
• Left to Conception Aguila Street
• Right to Carcer Street
• Right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen
• Left to Bilibid Viejo through Gonzalo Puyat
• Left to J.P. de Guzman Street
• Right to Hidalgo Street
• Left to Quezon Boulevard
• Right to Palanca St. through under Quezon Bridge
• Right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda
•  Quiapo Church

Bringing back tradition

On Wednesday, Nazareno 2024 spokesperson Fr. Hans Magdurulang said they are aiming to bring back the traditional way of staging the Traslacion, has been suspended three consecutive times due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A part of this restoration of tradition is the return of “pahalik” which was replaced by “pagpupugay” (viewing and touching) in recent years.

Encased in glass

Fr. Magdurulang added that the Black Nazarene will be encased in a glass protect the revered image from damage during the procession.

A portion of the image, however, will be left protruding from the glass box for devotees who want to touch it with their handkerchiefs or towels.

Apart from safeguarding the Black Nazarene from damage, the priest mentioned that enclosing the image in a glass box would also enable people who are far away to still see and venerate the Black Nazarene from a distance.

Live, online

Traslacion 2024 will be streamed online to allow vulnerable members of society to still view the procession safely.