The annual “traslacion” of the Black Nazarene that commenced at the Quirino Grandstand Manila today has been very different from the past years as the devotees showed more cooperation, making the sacred event more orderly.
Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Fr. Douglas Badong who is accustomed to seeing an uncontrollable crowd said that he got emotional upon witnessing change this year.
“This is a unique experience. It’s not the usual scene of devotees in chaos. Today, we saw a peaceful stage,” Fr. Badong said.
“I nearly cried because this is the first time I saw this kind of order,” he added.
In the previous years, before the procession, the “mamamasans” or the bearers would always have a tough time transferring the Black Nazarene to His “andas” or carriage because the people would jostle their way to the stage to get a hold of the image.
But this time, according to Fr. Badong, the procession went smoothly mainly due to the unity of the Hijos del Nazareno and the presence of policemen and military who had “better communication.”
The church official also said that making the devotees kneel in prayer during the transferring of the Black Nazarene was also a contributing factor as it had a “calming effect on the people.”
The procession that started at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park will end at the Quiapo Church where the Black Nazarene is enshrined.
The “traslacion” is in remembrance of the “solemn transfer” of the Black Nazarene from its original shrine in Intramuros to Quiapo Church.
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 01/ 09 / 18)