𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: “Millions of Filipino Catholic devotees flock as Traslacion returns” by Uriel Gomez

Published by: Clarence Pasco

Date Published: January 11, 2024

Time Published: 11:10 AM

Around 6.5 million Filipino Catholics convened in the streets of Manila City, said Quiapo Church, as the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene returned on Tuesday, January 9, from a 3-year hiatus.

Following the commencement of Traslacion 2024, an estimated 1.3 million devotees of the Black Nazarene were spotted at Quirino Grandstand and about 40,000 in Quiapo Church as of 5 a.m., Nazareno 2024 Spokesperson Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang told Unang Balita.

Furthermore, Magdurulang added that more devotees and a quicker pace were noticed this year compared to previous years.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) stated that the Traslacion on Tuesday was “generally peaceful” and “better coordinated” than in previous years.

"We laid down a plan to implement, and we gave the church basically 𝘬𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢. Thankfully, we were well prepared, and hopefully, 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘴," Police Maj. Gen Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., NCRPO chief, quoted.

In approximately 15 hours, the Black Nazarene reached its stop at the Quiapo Church at 7:44 p.m., breaking the record from 2020, which was around 16 hours.

The Traslacion this year started at around 4:45 a.m. after the Black Nazarene formally left Quirino Grandstand.

The Black Nazarene was carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century. It is believed to be miraculous by the devotees.

REFERENCES:

[1] Rita, J. (2024, January 9). Traslacion 2024 crowd reaches 6.5M — Quiapo Church. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/893593/traslacion-2024-crowd-reaches-6-5m-quiapo-church/story/?amp

[2] Rita, J. (2024, January 9). Traslacion 2024 starts after three-year hiatus. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/893510/traslacion-2024-starts-after-three-year-hiatus/story/

[3] Rita, J. (2024, January 9). Black Nazarene back at Quiapo church; Traslacion took 15 hours. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/893596/black-nazarene-back-at-quiapo-church-traslacion-took-15-hours/story/?amp

[4] Santos, R. (2024, January 9). Traslacion 2024 'generally peaceful' and 'better coordinated' than before: police. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/amp/news/01/09/24/traslacion-2024-generally-peaceful-better-coordinated-police