(File photo)
MANILA, Philippines — A day before the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno and the Traslacion, hundreds of devotees already gathered at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, or Quiapo Church, in Manila.
This year’s Traslacion is set to be held on January 9, Thursday where millions of devotees are expected to participate.
But even when the original image of Jesus Nazareno is still at the Quirino Grandstand, hundreds, if not thousands, of devotees, already showed up for the hourly masses in Quiapo on Wednesday, January 8.
The number of devotees is expected to further increase come 3 p.m., or when the Fiesta Masses for the Nazareno starts.
Currently, the original image of the Nazareno is still at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and will be brought back to Quiapo Church through the Traslacion.
Every year, on the day of the traslacion itself, devotees flood the streets of and around Quiapo in hopes of being able to see (or ideally, touch) the image of Jesus Nazareno.
This year’s traslacion marks the second time the procession will be held after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The duration of the procession varies every year, with the 2024’s lasting 15 hours.