By Christina Hermoso and Leslie Ann Aquino
Santo Niño de Cebú devotees from different parts of the country are expected to flock to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in droves today (January 18) to take part in a series of activities that will be held during the overnight vigil, a prelude to the final mass of the 35th World Youth Day to be presided by Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Thousands of devotees that include the elderly, the sick, and persons with disabilities have been lining up for the traditional “Pahalik sa Ang Banal na Sanggol ng Cebu” since early yesterday morning after the revered image was transferred to the grandstand.
The Panalangin sa Takip Silim will be held at 5 p.m. A Holy Mass will be held at 1 a.m. at the grandstand to be presided by Quiapo Church rector Monsignor Hernando Coronel with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as homilist.
To accommodate more devotees, the “pahalik” (kissing of the image) of the Black Nazarene started earlier than scheduled.
The “pahalik” was supposed to start today but church officials allowed devotees to venerate the image Thursday (Jan. 16) after it was brought to the Quirino Grandstand.
“We are attempting to lessen long queues and lines of long hours of waiting,” Monsignor
Hernando “Ding” Coronel, Quiapo Church rector, said in an interview.
At the Tondo Church, the last of the nine-day novena masses that began last December 31 will be held at 6 p.m.
Msgr. Coronel said they are “praying for a more peaceful and orderly procession this year” as he asked for prayers for a successful celebration. He has, repeatedly, appealed to the elderly, the sick, pregnant women, parents with small children, and the intoxicated not to attend the procession for safety reasons. Instead, he urged them to just pray at the fourteen designated prayer stations that will be set up in strategic areas.
With a shorter route in place, organizers are also hoping for a faster annual grand massive miracle crusade this year. Last year’s procession lasted more than ten hours.
“The thanksgiving procession last Dec. 31 only took an hour and 45 minutes as it started at 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 30 and ended at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 31. We’re really looking forward to a faster-moving procession this year,” said Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial vicar of the Quiapo Church.
Spread the blessing
Yesterday afternoon, thousands of devotees of the revered Santo Niño de Cebú, carrying replica images in different sizes including heirlooms and centuries-old icons, joined the procession of replicas of the Santo Niño de Cebú through the streets of Tondo, Manila. The replicas were blessed after the procession.
Father Badong told owners of the replicas to spread the blessing that they received in their own communities.
“That has been our call. After the blessing they should bring their image in a procession in their community. This is in order to spread the blessing that they received,” he added.
The priest also expressed hope that groups will no longer bring the replicas that were already blessed during the annual grand massive miracle crusade so that focus will be on the Santo Niño de Cebú.
“Although it’s not prohibited but we encourage them not to bring the replicas on January 19. That’s the reason why we already allotted a time and day for them so they won’t bring it anymore. Hopefully, many will listen,” Badong said.
Earlier, the priest also discouraged groups from bringing their standartes (banners) during the Traslacion.
Hordes of devotees usually join the annual grand massive miracle crusade commemorating the crowds from Rizal Park to Quiapo Church to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/08/thousands-expected-at-black-nazarene-vigil-today/
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