The streets of Manila became a living act of prayer as more than 9.6 million Catholics took part in the 2026 feast of the Black Nazarene, an annual devotion that continues to shape the spiritual life of the Philippines. This year’s celebration marked a historic moment, as the Traslacion procession lasted more than 30 hours, the longest on record, according to authorities cited by Catholic News Agency.
The Traslacion traces the solemn transfer of the revered image of Jesus carrying the Cross from the Luneta area to Quiapo Church, where it is permanently enshrined. For devotees, the grueling journey, often made barefoot and pressed shoulder to shoulder, represents a personal offering of sacrifice and trust in Christ.
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Before the procession began, a Mass was celebrated at the Quirino Grandstand by Rufino Sescon Jr.. In his homily, the bishop addressed the country’s social wounds alongside its spiritual hopes. Speaking about officials linked to corruption in flood-control and infrastructure projects, he challenged them directly, saying, “Shame on you. Please step down for the people’s sake,” according to Catholic News Agency.
Among the millions who joined the procession were ordinary Filipinos carrying deeply personal intentions. Maria Christine Rey, a mother of four, explained that the image of Christ resonates with her daily struggles. “I look at the Nazarene, who carried the cross for us to save us. That’s how we should be — to be tough amid all situations and not to give up,” she said, according to CNA. Despite illness, college student John Quilaquil also participated, calling the experience “very special” and a defining moment in his life, according to the same source.
In the days leading up to Jan. 9, the faithful gathered for a nine-day novena offered by bishops from across the region. During one of those Masses, Jose Advincula urged devotees to reflect on the heart of authentic devotion. “True devotion is knowing how to give without needing recognition, knowing how to serve without looking to be praised, and knowing how to love without expecting anything in return,” he said, according to Catholic News Agency.
The Black Nazarene devotion dates back to 1606, when Augustinian Recollect missionaries brought a wooden image of the suffering Christ from Mexico. Over time, it became a powerful spiritual anchor for Filipino Catholics. Father Benigno P. Beltran described the devotion as a lasting and deeply personal encounter with Christ that has not diminished despite cultural change, according to CNA.
Church leaders stress that the devotion is not rooted in spectacle, but in solidarity with a God who shares in human suffering. Father Ramon Jade Licuanan said the feast reflects faith forged through hardship and hope, while Father Daniel Franklin Pilario noted that what some dismiss as fanaticism is, in reality, a form of everyday perseverance born of trust in Christ, according to Catholic News Agency.
As the image returned to Quiapo on the morning of Jan. 10, the historic procession came to an end. Yet for millions of Catholics, the journey continues—renewed by a devotion that unites prayer, sacrifice, and a call to live the Gospel in both personal and public life.
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