Vatican hoped for Black Nazarene feast day

The rector of Quiapo Church, Fr. Jun Sescon, expressed hope on Tuesday that the Vatican will approve making January 9 a national feast day in honor of the Black Nazarene.

Sescon noted that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) already approved the proposal last July during its Plenary Assembly.

Cardinal Jose Advincula, who presided over the Mass for the feast at Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday, emphasized in a letter to CBCP that elevating January 9 to a national feast will bring order and joy to millions of devotees.

The annual Traslacion procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church has been relatively peaceful with no significant incidents reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

As of noon on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo reported 290 cases of minor injuries and illnesses among devotees.

Security measures include x-ray machines to scan belongings before entry into the church and a 'one entry and multiple exits' policy in the vicinity of Quiapo Church.