Manila traffic stops for Marian traslacion
Several streets in Manila will be closed today for “Salubong and Traslacion,” a reenactment of the historic arrival of the image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel from Mexico to the Philippines 400 years ago.
Among those to be affected by the procession, which will start from Quirino Grandstand and end at San Sebastian Basilica, are P. Burgos Street, Finance Road, Roxas Boulevard, C. Palanca, P. Casal, Villalobos, San Rafael, Recto Avenue and Bonifacio Drive.
Anda Circle and MacArthur Bridge will also be closed.
A “stop and go” traffic scheme will be implemented on these routes as the procession passes, according to the Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit.
The religious rites will start with prayers and a program at Quirino Grandstand at 3 a.m., followed by a fluvial parade on Manila Bay at 5 a.m.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Romulo Valles will celebrate high mass at 6:30 a.m. The procession will leave the grandstand at 8 a.m.
Traditional ‘dungaw’
It will pass by Quiapo Church, where the revered Black Nazarene image will be brought out for the traditional “dungaw” or encounter of the two icons.
“We urgently need to seek Our Mother’s intercession to protect the Philippines against natural calamities, the ongoing attacks on the sanctity of life and of the family, and other serious difficulties that our nation faces,” Valles said in a post on the CBCP website.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle earlier said those taking part in procession would be able to receive a plenary indulgence or the remission of temporal punishment due to sins. In order to obtain a plenary indulgence, Catholics must make a sacramental confession, receive Holy Communion, have complete detachment from sin and pray for the Pope’s intentions.
Brought by missionaries from the Order of Augustinian Recollects, the image of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel arrived in Manila in 1618. Initially housed at San Juan de Bautista de Bagumbayan Church in Luneta, it was enthroned at the first San Sebastian Church in Quiapo in 1621. —TINA G. SANTOS AND AIE BALAGTAS SEE
