92K devotees attend Feast of Black Nazarene Mass

The Fiesta Mass of the Black Nazarene was attended by some 92,000 worshipers early on Monday in Manila at the Quirino Grandstand.

According to Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Earl Valdez, the event passed without a hitch.

“Generally we were able to hold it very well, executed well, our Mass is organized. Our devotees are well organized. So we can say that this third leg is successful,” Valdez said in a media interview.

Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula celebrated the Eucharist at the Quirino Grandstand for the first time after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak in March 2020.

In his homily, Cardinal Advincula exhorted the followers to demonstrate their dedication via deeds of kindness and charity.

“Let’s empathize with our neighbors and care for each other. Let’s reach out to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are struggling right now,” said Advincula, the head of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Two more events, the “pagpupugay” (paying homage) and the Walk of Faith, were held in the Grandstand in addition to the Fiesta Mass.

Devotees are permitted to touch and wipe the picture of the Black Nazarene with their towels and handkerchiefs during the “pagpupugay,” which began on Saturday and will last through Monday.

Approximately 88,000 people participated in the Walk of Faith procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on Quezon Boulevard, where the picture was enshrined on January 8.

The life-size statue of Jesus Christ bearing the cross was absent from the procession, which was a significant departure from the usual Traslacion, which was last held in 2020.