The traditional Traslacion for the Black Nazarene held every January will still not push through in 2023, making it the third consecutive year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was confirmed by Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Allyson Valdez in an interview.
Despite this, Valdez said other activities related to the Feast of the Black Nazarene such as the touching of the image which is held at the Quirino Grandstand will still proceed.
Hourly masses at the Quiapo Church will also push through starting 12 AM on January 9 and will be led by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.
Valdez also added that there will also be masses in other churches in Metro Manila and other Luzon provinces for those who would not be able to go to Quiapo Church for the celebration.
"Ang aming layunin ay kung hindi makapupunta para sa Traslacion, ay ang Nazareno na mismo ang tutungo sa kani-kanilang lugar at simbahan," he said.
[Our goal is that if people are unable to go to Quiapo Church for the Traslacion, the Black Nazarene itself will go to their respective places and churches.]
This is the third time that the traditional event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The procession, which most of the time lasts for about 24 hours, begins at the Quirino Grandstand and ends at Quiapo Church.
