PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, January 9, 2022, urged the Filipino Catholics to pray for the country’s recovery and humanity's healing from coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic amid the observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
“This venerated religious tradition, which commemorates the transfer of the image of Jesus Christ from its original place in Intramuros to its current shrine in Quiapo, is also a precious time for every devotee to understand the value of suffering and its grace,” Duterte said in a message Sunday.
“Faith is the conviction of things that we hope for, even if unseen. Although we may not be able to take in the usual Traslacion activities that have marked the celebration for centuries, let us keep on demonstrating our faith by praying for our country’s recovery and for humanity’s complete healing, especially from the ill effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
For the three consecutive years, the annual procession of the Black Nazarene, also known as Traslacion, and other activities related to the said feast, which is being attended by millions of faithful, have been suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Police were deployed in the streets leading to the Quiapo church to prevent devotees who insisted on coming in.
Quiapo church officials urged the devotees to attend masses via livestream to honor the Black Nazarene. (SunStar Philippines)