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TRANSITIONING FROM A PROCESSION TO A WALK OF THANKSGIVING: REINTRODUCING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF NAZARENO TRASLACION AND ITS DEVOTION

Mar. 17, 2024 02:24 PM

‘Callejero 2’ Nazareno image mounted on the truck to be brought out for the Thanksgiving Procession 2023. Photo by Social Communication Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

QUIAPO, MANILA—In the past, the traditional Thanksgiving Procession of the Nazareno at midnight on December 31st used to serve as a mini-Traslacion, where devotees freely gathered around the ‘andas‘ (carriage), aiming to touch the image of the Black Nazarene with the hopes of experiencing miracles. The once chaotic Thanksgiving Procession has now been transformed into the Walk of Thanksgiving, inspired by last year’s “Walk of Faith”. Over 50,000 devotees walked and prayed together, carrying candles and rosaries all the way from the Luneta Grandstand back to Quiapo Church, the home of the famously venerated Black Nazarene image. The Walk of Faith replaced Traslacion as an alternative activity owing to the pandemic, which imposed constraints on social mobility. The clergy of the Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno headed by Rev. Fr. Rufino Sescon, Jr., rector and parish priest, spearheaded the Walk of Thanksgiving on the truck mounting the “Callejero Dos” as the official pilgrim processional image of Jesus Nazareno.

An estimate of 15,000 devotees participate in the Thanksgiving Procession. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

The route had traversed the regular twenty-three streets in the Quiapo district, where devotees warmly welcomed the Nazareno. Some knelt reverently while raising their hands towards the Nazareno image to express their yearnings and readiness to receive the graces and blessings as it passes by.

The Walk of Thanksgiving lasted two (2) hours. The Nazareno image, which marks the start and end of the event, departs the church gate at 11:45 P.M. on December 30 and returns at 1:45 AM on December 31. The travel speed is around 4.650 kilometers per hour, and roughly 15,000 people participated without security or peace and order incidents. However, the Multi-Agency Command Center (MACC) reports that eight minor medical incidents were recorded.

 – Alfrein O. Quirionez | ADRM & EIAM