Priests bless images of the Black Nazarene during a procession held at Quezon Blvd. two days before the annual feast of the Nazarene. PHOTO BY RUY MARTINEZ
THE traditional pahalik or kissing of the feet of the Black Nazarene will start today at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park (Luneta in Manila).
A liturgical Mass will also be held today, according to the Quiapo rector, Msgr. Clemente Ignacio.
Ouiapo Church in Manila’s Quiapo district is home to the Black Nazarene.
The pahalik will begin at 1 p.m.
It will be followed by a vigil that will start at 5:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
The Catholic Church introduced some changes in this year’s observance of the annual feast.
Instead of the usual 6 a.m. Mass held before the traslacion or procession, a Mass will be held at midnight on January 9.
Meanwhile, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded devotees who will join the procession to observe discipline.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs, said the public should bear in mind the sacredness of the feast.
“With his visit just nearing, let’s also take the Quiapo fiesta as an opportunity to show to the Holy Father that Filipinos have discipline in terms of their devotion, and know that it brings them closer to God and their neighbors,” he said in an article posted on the CBCP website.
Pabillo was referring to Pope Francis, who will visit the Philippines on January 15-19.
“I call on all Nazarene devotees to take to heart and live out the true meaning of what it means to be devoted … that is, prayer, sacrifice, penance, self-giving,” he said.