‘Walk of Faith’ to replace Traslacion in Quiapo feast

WITH the suspension of the holding of the traditional Traslacion in next year’s feast of the Black Nazarene, church officials have decided to instead hold a “Walk of Faith” on January 8.

“Even without our traditional procession, the Walk of Faith will be added to our schedule of activities to be held in the early morning of January 8,” said Fr. Earl Allyson Valdez, attached priest of the Quiapo Church where the miraculous holy image of Jesus of Nazarene is enthroned.

The “Walk” involves devotees who will walk from the Quirino Grandstand at Manila’s Rizal Park to Quiapo Church without the image of the Black Nazarene. “What we can be sure of is that it will be well and organized like a holy and majestic procession with physical distance, the image of the Black Nazarene will not be there, but the attendees are invited to bring candles and small images of the Black Nazarene,”Valdez said.

The Basilica and the local government of Manila have also agreed on the strict enforcement of the wearing of masks by every attendee.

This is the third year that the traditional Traslacion has been suspended due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated on January 9.