Nazareno fever

MANILA, Philippines — An estimated 2.8 million Catholic faithful attended the traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene yesterday in Manila, where the feverish march displaying religious devotion resumed after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Black Nazarene devotees gathered at the Quirino Grandstand to hear the midnight mass or Misa Mayor for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, celebrated by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.

Before 4:45 a.m. yesterday, members of the Hijos del Nazareno removed the massive yellow cloth that covered the andas or carriage of the revered image, now enclosed in glass and surrounded by around 20 HDN members to prevent devotees from climbing onto the image.

The carriage started its journey back to Quiapo Church immediately after the mass. The crowd, mostly wearing maroon and yellow shirts, quickly swarmed around it as it exited the grandstand, waving and throwing their towels and handkerchiefs and shouting “Viva!”

Meanwhile, another statue of the Black Nazarene was left in the stage of the Quirino Grandstand for the “pahalik” or the public veneration, where people lined up to get a chance for up-close touching and wiping of handkerchiefs.

At 5 a.m., the Quiapo Church Command Post estimated the crowd size at the Quirino Grandstand to be at 1,340,000.

By 5:20 a.m., the andas reached the intersection of Roxas Boulevard and Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila. Rainshowers did not dampen the determination of the believers to get close to the carriage.

Many Filipinos believe the Black Nazarene possesses miraculous healing powers and that touching it, or the ropes attached to its carriage, can heal previously incurable ailments and bring good fortune to them and their loved ones.

“I believe that the Nazarene will give what we are all praying for – we just have to wait, but he will give everything,” Renelinda de Leon, 64, said at the start of the procession. “He gave me good health. I don’t have an illness, I’m always healthy.”

Devotee Tonton Ruiz said he was happy the parade had resumed, but hoped it would be “more peaceful” than in the past.

This year, the Black Nazarene has been enclosed in a glass case and devotees were