More than 22 million devotees are expected to take part in the 40th Annual Grand Miracle Crusade for the weekend feast of Santo Nino de Cebu of the Catholic Charismatic group El Shaddai on January 20 to 22, a church official said on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
Grand Miracle Crusade spokesperson Fr. Hans Magdurulang said that they are expecting a huge number of devotees as the Grand Miracle Crusade returns after it was suspended for three years from 2021 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fr. Magdurulang said that they estimated the crowd based on the recorded 22 million devotees who attended the last Grand Miracle Crusade in January 2020.
“Base po sa naging bilang na dumalo noong 2020, ang huling naging translasyon, umabot po tayo sa 22 million, pero ito po ay hindi lamang sa araw ng kapistahan ng Jan. 9, ito pong bilang na ito ay mula na po ito sa Dec. 31, simula ng nobenaryo hanggang Jan. 10. Ito po ay pinagsama-samang bilang na po na umabot na sa 22 million. Ito po 'yung panahon ng kapistahan hanggang katapusan ng kapistahan, Jan. 10. (Based on the number of people who attended the last Annual Grand Miracle Crusade in 2020, it reached 22 million, but this is not only on the day of the festival on Jan. 21),” he said.
Meanwhile, the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Fellowship International, Inc. released the following crowd route from Quirino Grandstand in Ermita to Quiapo Church:
- From Quirino Grandstand
- Right to Katigbak Drive (left side)
- 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
- Left to Farnecio 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 St. through under Quezon Bridge
- Right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda
- Going to Quiapo Church
El Shaddai officials are also considering placing the image of the Black Nazarene inside a glass box to keep this gathering safe.
However, a portion of the cross will be left protruding from the glass box for devotees who want to touch it.
During the weekend gathering, the Foundation advised the devotees to avoid pushing and climbing onto the backs of other devotees just to reach the crowds.
Fr. Magdurulang also reminded the devotees who are going to Quiapo Church that a checkpoint at Villalobos will be conducted for their safety.
“Para sa kaligtasan ng lahat, tandaan po natin na mayroon po tayong mga dapat sundin na mga alituntunin. H'wag na po magdala ng malaking bag; maari pong maliit, transparent na bag dahil magkaroon po tayo ng checkpoints din po na magsisimula sa Villalobos po sa mga pupunta ng simbahan. Asahan po ninyo ang checkpoints, pag che-check po ng mga dala nating gamit para rin po sa kaligtasan nating lahat (For everyone's safety, let's remember that we have rules to follow. Don't bring a big bag; maybe a small, transparent bag because we will also have checkpoints starting in Villalobos for those going to church),” he said.
He also encouraged kids, elderly people, pregnant, and those who are sick to just watch the event online for their safety.
