Only 400 devotees per Mass allowed inside Quiapo Church on Jan. 9

MANILA, Philippines — Only 400 churchgoers and devotees can enter the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or the Quiapo Church for each Mass to be held on the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene on Saturday, January 9, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Editors’ note: Actually, it isn’t a feast. It is Traslacion. The only reason why it is called a feast is because of media and politicians branding it as a festival. The actual feast is on June 24.)

According to Alex Irasga, head of the Traslacion working committee, there would be 15 Masses held at Quiapo Church on Saturday, which means that 6,000 devotees could enter the church for the entire day.

“Sa simbahan ng Quiapo, ang kaya lang po tanggapin, 400 lamang na deboto ang pwedeng makapag simba sa isang misa. Maximum of six thousand po yun sa buong maghapon,” he added.

(Quiapo Church can only accommodate 400 people devotees per Mass. It is a maximum of six thousand devotees for the whole day.)

“Pag umabot na po ng anim na libo ang bilang, ipapatigil na po ang pagpapapasok sa simbahan [ng Quiapo],” said Irasga.

(When we reach the six thousand capacity, we will no longer allow the entry of people inside the church.)

Those who will not be able to enter the Quiapo Church are urged to attend nearby Sta. Cruz Church and the San Sebastian Church.

Listed below are the schedules for the Masses for Quiapo Church.

4:30 a.m.
5:45 a.m.
7 a.m.
8:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
1:30 p. m.
2:45 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
9 p.m.
10:15 p.m.

Three Masses are also set to be held at the Nazarene Catholic School. The first Mass will be at 9 a.m. and will be followed by the12 noon service, and finally the last ceremony at 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, Sta. Cruz Church will have its liturgy or Mass at the following time:

6 a.m.
7:15 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
1 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
8:30 p.m.

San Sebastian Church has yet to announce the schedule for their Masses for the feast day.

Irasga added that they would set up monitors in Quezon Boulevard, Carriedo, Carlos Palanca, Plaza Miranda, and Plaza San Juan to enable devotees to watch the masses through the screens.

People can also stream masses online through the official Facebook page of Quiapo Church.

Manila Police District (MPD) chief Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco likewise advised those aged below 18 years old and above 65 years old not to go to the said venues.

Persons with disabilities are also discouraged from visiting the Quiapo Church.

The Traslacion working committee and MPD told churchgoers to follow social distancing when attending Masses strictly. People are also reminded not to bring bags that are not transparent.

In a radio interview over DZMM, Msgr. Hernando Coronel encouraged the public to stay at home and safely celebrate the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene.

(We are distributing prayers for the Black Nazarene on our Facebook page.)

Coronel also recommended visiting a nearby parochial church instead.

It was earlier announced that the annual grand procession of the Black Nazarene image, also called the Traslacion, will not push through this year to prevent transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Still, even without the procession, the Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit announced that there would be road closures, parking plans, and road re-routings starting January 8.

This is to prepare for the influx of devotees who will attend Masses at Quiapo Church. [ac]