Feast of Black Nazarene
activities start today
THE image of the Black Nazarene will be taken today to the Quirino grandstand at Rizal Park to kick off activities for the 403rd observance of its feast day tomorrow.
Msgr. Clemente Ignacio, rector of Quiapo Church, said they decided to follow last year’s program where the traditional procession started from Rizal Park and ended up at Quiapo instead of coming out of Quiapo Church and winding around selected streets in the district before returning home.
"We noticed the swarm of people whenever the image comes out of the church gate and so we thought it best to start it in Luneta because of the wide space of the place," Ignacio said.
He said Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales and Mayor Alfredo Lim were consulted on the plan.
Activities at the Quirino grandstand this afternoon include a parade and healing service. The overnight vigil will observe a Holy Hour at 3 a.m. and culminate in a 6 a.m. Mass tomorrow to be celebrated by Cardinal Rosales. The procession will begin right after the mass at 7:30 a.m.
The route will be from the Quirino Grandstand to Katigbak Drive through P. Burgos, straight to MacArthur Bridge, right to Palanca, left to Estero Cegado, right to Carriedo, left to Evangelista, right to Raon, right to Quezon Blvd., under the Quezon Bridge, left to Palanca, left to Globo de Oro, left to Gunao, right to Arlegui, left to Nepomuceno, left to Aguila, right to Carcer, right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, left to Viejo through G. Puyat, left to Guzman, right to Hidalgo, left to Barbosa, right to Globo de Oro then under Quezon Bridge, right to Palanca, right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda fronting Quiapo Church.
Ignacio said they expect the number of devotees to double due to the tragedies last year. "We are expecting some five to six million people to arrive mainly dahil ang daming naranasan ng mga Pilipino noong nakaraang taon," he said.
Fr. Alvin Fullon, Black Nazarene Minor Basilica vicar general and procession committee head, advised devotees to avoid bringing children who could be hurt in the crush. "We know you want your children to be devotees but we should also think of their safety," said Fullon.
He added that devotees would also be well advised to bring just enough money for fare and food and leave their wallets and mobile phones at home so as not to attract pickpockets.
Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Melquiades Robles said they will field 24 trains with two spares to service regular passengers and devotees.
– With Ashzel Hachero
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