Devotees of the Black Nazarene in the Archdiocese of Davao announced that they will be holding the traditional “traslacion” in January after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
“As the situation here in our city has slowly returned to pre-pandemic levels, we are announcing that the face-to-face activities including the foot procession will return in this year’s traslacion festivities,” said the group in a report on Radio Veritas 846.
“The devotees of the Black Nazarene here in the Archdiocese of Davao are hoping that with the smooth return of all face-to-face activities we will be able to spread the love and mercy of the Risen Lord,” said the group.
In Manila, Church officials earlier announced that the traditional procession, or “traslacion,” of the image of the Black Nazarene will still be suspended in January.
Father Earl Allyson Valdez of Quiapo Church said the safety of everyone is paramount as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The priest, however, said other activities related to the religious event will continue, including the touching of the image in Manila’s Quirino Grandstand.
On January 9, hourly Masses will be celebrated at Quiapo Church starting at 12 a.m.
Masses will also be celebrated in other churches in Metro Manila and other dioceses where replicas of the image of the Black Nazarene will be displayed.
The annual “traslacion,” or the transfer of the Black Nazarene image from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, which usually draws millions of devotees, has been put on hold since the pandemic hit.
