Traslacion Is Back After 3 Years: Here's What to Expect

(SPOT.ph) Quiapo is again set to witness one of the world’s most fervent displays of Catholicism with the return of the highly anticipated Traslacion on Tuesday, January 9.

Hourly masses will start at 12 a.m. and will end at 11 p.m. on said date. The event will also be live-streamed via the Quiapo Church’s YouTube channel to allow those unable to make the trip to Quiapo a chance to participate in the Feast of the Black Nazarene without leaving their homes.

The Traslacion route will begin at the Quirino Grandstand and make its way to Quiapo Church, with the 400-year-old statue of the Black Nazarene expected to be traveling in a glass case for extra protection. However, Quiapo Church spokesperson Hans Magdurulang said a portion of the Nazarene's cross will be left open for devotees to touch.

Take note that hats, umbrellas, backpacks, and liquid bottles (unless transparent) are not allowed in the Traslacion as per the Philippine National Police.

For three years, there has been no Traslacion due to the threat of the COVID-19 virus, but it returned in 2023 in a modified version called the "Walk of Faith." This, however, did not involve the customary procession of the Black Nazarene statue.

Traslacion devotees believe in the miraculous nature of the Black Nazarene. They brave a throng of thousands just to touch the statue with their handkerchiefs and towels as the Nazareno makes its way through the streets of Quiapo. Almost 22 million devotees celebrated the last procession in 2020—a number that includes those who joined the feast from its beginning on December 31 up to its culmination on January 10—and Magdurulang is expecting the same number or even more this Traslacion.

The Quiapo Church has yet to release the schedule for the start of Traslacion. In the meantime, it is reminding Catholic faithfuls to bear the rope, not to push and shove, and be extra considerate of others, allowing everyone the opportunity to at the least get a glimpse of the Black Nazarene.

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Pahalik, misa mayor, and other activities for the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2024

Activities leading up to the Traslacion include the replica blessing and procession at 1:30 p.m. on January 3 and 4 at the Quiapo Church. Regular masses continue on January 5 and 8, while fiesta masses start from 3:00 p.m. onwards until 11:00 p.m. on January 8.

On January 6, devotees will be allowed to touch and kiss the Black Nazarene starting at 7:00 p.m. until January 8. With the pahalik ongoing, a vigil and program will also begin on 6:00 p.m. on January 8.

The midnight of January 9 will see the start of misa mayor with the Archbishop of Manila, H.E. Jose F. Cardinal Advincula Jr. as the presider.

Traslacion route from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church

This is the route for the Traslacion starting from Quirino Grandstand:

• Right to Katigbak Drive
• Right to Padre Burgos Street through Finance Road
• Straight to Ayala Bridge
• Left to Palanca Street
• Right to Quezon Boulevard
• Right to Arlegui Street
• Right to Fraternal Street
• Right to Vergara Street
• Left to Duque de Alba Street
• Left to Castillejos Street
• Right to Arlegui Street
• Left to Nepomuceno Street
• Left to Conception Aguila Street
• Right to Carcer Street
• Right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen
• Left to Bilibid Viejo through Gonzalo Puyat
• Left to J.P. de Guzman Street
• Right to Hidalgo Street
• Left to Quezon Boulevard
• Right to Palanca Street through Quezon Bridge
• Right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church

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