The Quiapo Church was satisfied with how this year’s celebration of the Feast of the
Black Nazarene turned out amid the ongoing threat of the Covid–19 virus.
Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Valdez said that it was a “good decision” to
hold activities of the religious feast in parts.
“Given the pandemic, given the situation, this was a good decision. Although, we
recognized [na] nakakapagod din sa deboto kasi parang nagpiyesta kami ng
dalawang araw. But kung ito naman ay mas makahulugan, mas maayos sa mga
deboto, mas mararamadaman ang diwa ng piyesta (that it was also tiring for the
devotees because it was like we celebrated this for two days. But this is more
meaningful, more organized for the devotees, and the spirit of the feast was felt
more),” Valdez said on Monday, Jan. 9.
This year’s Black Nazarene celebrations also featured a procession, but instead of the jostling amid
the sea of humanity, people lined up to touch the revered image while it was still nestled peacefully
at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila since January 7.
The events started weeks before as devotees were able to attend mass and have their personal
statues of the dark–skinned Jesus Christ blessed in a separate ceremony on December 27, 2022.
Valdez said that they will take note of how this year’s celebration was done.
“We cannot say if this will be the format for the following years. But rest assured,
kung ano man ang natutunan natin dito, pag nawala na ang pandemya (whatever we
have learned here, when the pandemic is over), we will be able to implement and
innovate some of it,” he said.
The prelate said that the devotees were able to welcome the changes on how this
annual feast was observed this year.
Asked if there would also be changes in the faithful’s devotion, Valdez said “change
cannot be seen immediately.”
“I think we’re going to see changes in terms of devotion, it may take five to 10 years.
But we will also see kasi paiba–iba at yung pandemya— tingnan natin kung ano pa
ang mangyayari
(because there may be some changes and of course, the pandemic. Let’s see what
else will happen in) post–pandemic life,” he said.(A. de Vera, mb.com)
But we will also see kasi paiba–iba at yung pandemya— tingnan natin kung ano pa
ang mangyayari
(because there may be some changes and of course, the pandemic. Let’s see what
else will happen in) post–pandemic life,” he said.(A. de Vera, mb.com)