By Arabella Balderama

Thousands of Catholics marched in a “walk of faith” to celebrate the annual feast of the Black Nazarene on Sunday, January 8.

The Quiapo Church said the “walk of faith” would take place of Translacion–an annual celebration in which believers assemble to pull a life-sized figure of the Black Nazarene through the streets.

This year’s event was held to minimize crowd size and reduce the risk of spreading illness amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in which mask-wearing devotees were seen carrying candles, banners, and images of the Black Nazarene.

According to church officials, more than 80, 000 people attended the event, which began at the Quirino Grandstand after the midnight mass, and ended at 4:00 A.M. in Quiapo Church, where the Black Nazarene is enshrined.

In addition, others raised their towels traditionally used for wiping the statue, which Filipinos believe can lead to miracles, healing, and good fortune.

“Going back to our Walk of Faith experience, I can say that it has been successfully done and executed,” Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Valdez stated.

In the weeks leading up to Sunday’s walk, the statue was carried to churches around the city and neighboring provinces to allow worshippers to see and touch it.

Thumbnail from George Calvelo