Quiapo Church Quiapo Church PNA file photo

Prelude to Black Nazarene festivities draw over 30K devotees

January 7, 2023 People's Tonight 321 views

More than 30,000 devotees on Saturday joined the initial activity that leads to the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday.

In a statement released by the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, better known as Quiapo Church, over 6,000 people went to Quirino Grandstand also in Manila for the “pagpupugay” or the viewing and touching of the image, which has replaced the traditional “pahalik” (kissing) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Meanwhile, almost 25,000 went to Quiapo Church as of 5 p.m. Saturday, for the eucharistic celebrations.

The pagpupugay will run until the feast day on Jan. 9.

A “Walk of Faith” procession without the image will be held from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on Sunday (Jan. 8) after the midnight mass to be celebrated by Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr., rector of Quiapo Church.

At least five million devotees are expected to join the “Walk of Faith”, which, according to the organizers, will be shorter as the procession covers only 20 areas.

PNA

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