Black Nazarene translacion begins

The annual Feast of the Black Nazarene started at 5:54 a.m. today, January 9, Saturday. The image of the Black Nazarene was carried by barefoot devotees to the ‘andas’, the carriage that will bring the image from Quirino Grandstand to its home, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church.

The Black Nazarene was stationed at Quirino Grandstand for the ‘pahalik’ where devotees kiss the feet of the Black Nazarene. An estimate of 23,000 devotees flocked Quirino Grandstand for the pahalik.

Series of masses were held before the Black Nazarene left Quirino Grandstand for Quiapo Church. The Liturgy of the Hours (Evening Prayer) was held at 6:30 p.m. last night, followed by a vigil at 7 p.m. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle lead a mass at midnight. The vigils continued until 2 a.m. today. At 5 a.m, The Liturgy of Hours (Morning Prayer) began. The Black Nazarene left Quirino Grandstand after the mass.

The translacion started at Quirino Granstand, passing by Padre Burgos Avenue, the National Museum, the Manila City Hall, Liwasang Bonifacio, Jones Bridge, Dasmariñas St. in Binondo, Sta. Cruz Church, various streets in Quiapo until it reaches the Quiapo Church.

Last year’s translacion lasted for 19 hours.

Injuries, death

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has assisted 1,253 individuals, as of 4 p.m. today. PRC’s record reflects 494 minor injuries and 44 minor injuries.

Thirteen of 1,056 patients were rushed to hospitals.

PRC has reported that a 27-year old male died during the translacion. The Secretary General of PRC, Gwendolyn Pang described the male devotee to Inquirer.net as “lifeless, breathless, and pulseless” when he was found in the sidewalk of Manila City Hall. Reports say that the man had a seizure while resting in the sidewalk. PRC refused to name the 27 year-old until his family has been told of his death.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene celebrates the transfer of the ebony-colored image of Jesus Christ from Intramuros to Quiapo Church. The translacion, Spanish word for passage, depicts the journey of the Black Nazarene.

The Black Nazarene was brought by Augustinian priests to Manila in 1607. The image is believed to have turned into its color due to a fire that struck the galleon that carried it to the Philippines.

This year is the 410th anniversary of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.