Black Nazarene procession reaches Quiapo Church after 19 hours

Photo by Francis Faulve (dzMM)

MANILA — The procession of the Black Nazarene safely reached the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) early Saturday morning after 19 hours of traversing the streets of Quiapo district in Manila.

The Black Nazarene arrived at the church at 3:38 a.m. after leaving the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park for the procession reenacting the Stations of the Cross.

The procession lasted for almost 19 hours, having being delayed by defects in the wheels of the “andas” (carriage), tying of the guide ropes, and the mammoth crowd of more than a million barefooted devotees.

It was supposed to leave its location at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park at 6:00 a.m. Friday but due to the above-mentioned problems, departure took place at 8 a.m.

Renato Gurion, 44, one of those tasked to secure the cariage, died after suffocating and suffering a heart attack after his chest got caught on the steel railing of the “andas”.

Some 1,238 devotees were treated by the Philippine Red Cross for minor injuries.