As Filipino Catholics observed the Feast of the Black Nazarene, President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday renewed his call for them to pray that the country will be able to overcome the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte acknowledged that the traditional procession of Black Nazarene or “Traslacion” was suspended due to a surge in COVID-19 infections but noted there are other ways to keep an active faith despite quarantine restrictions.
“Faith is the conviction of things that we hope for, even if unseen,” he said in his Feast of the Black Nazarene message.
He urged Filipinos to pray for the recovery of the country and of the world.
“Although we may not be able to take part in the usual Traslacion activities that have marked the celebration for centuries, let us keep on demonstrating our faith by praying for our country’s recovery and for humanity’s complete healing, especially from the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
Duterte expressed hope that Filipino Catholics remain “united in spirit and in truth.”
On Wednesday, the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 approved the recommendation to suspend the Traslacion procession and all other activities related to it this year.
The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church was closed, and no Holy Mass shall be physically conducted from Jan. 7 to 9.
The Traslacion is the Catholic faithful’s annual religious festival involving a traditional procession of the Black Nazarene, an image of Jesus Christ, from Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Quezon Boulevard, Manila.
This is the second year that the traditional procession of the Black Nazarene has been suspended due to the global health crisis.
Several devotees still tried to go to Quiapo Church on Sunday for the Feast of the Black Nazarene despite the cancellation of all activities related to it.
“We anticipated that despite the announcement, information, and guidance we gave. Many were still trying,” said Police Lt. Col. John Guiagui, commander of Manila Police District 3, in an interview on radio dzBB.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said that online Masses would proceed to mark the observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene even if devotees are banned from entering the Quiapo Church.
“We are not allowing them to enter. If we see some, we immediately tell them to go. We encourage them to attend the online masses instead in their own homes.,” Guiagui said.
Tarpaulins were put up around the area saying that masses will be celebrated online, according to a video posted by radio dzBB.
Some 2,000 police were also deployed to ensure that no devotees could pass through.
However, some devotees instead tried to transfer to the Santa Cruz Church in Manila as roads were closed leading to Quiapo Church.
In his homily, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said that while everyone is saddened parishioners could not personally go to Quiapo Church to attend mass and touch the image of the Black Nazarene, they should not worry as He would visit them in their own homes.
“He enters our hearts and strengthens our hope. He intercedes with us and unites us in love,” he said.
Advincula asked the people to help each other as they do in Traslacion, stand with dignity in life, turn away from sin and live as children of God.
Photos by Norman Cruz, Danny Pata and JR Josue
