Hundreds of Thousands Gather for the Annual Black Nazarene Procession

Manila, January 11, 2025: The annual Black Nazarene procession in Manila, Philippines, drew hundreds of thousands of devoted pilgrims on January 9, marking one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. At least 800,000 people congregated at Quiapo Church on Thursday evening, with countless more joining the procession as it passed through the city streets, according to the Philippine Star.

Devotees, many of whom were barefoot, participated with fervent faith, with some climbing onto the float to grasp the cross carried by the iconic life-size statue of Jesus. This tradition honors the Black Nazarene, a centuries-old image believed to have been brought from Mexico to the Philippines in 1606 by Augustinian Recollect missionaries. 

Currently enshrined in Quiapo Church in the Archdiocese of Manila, the statue has a storied history of resilience. Originally housed at St. John the Baptist Church in Luneta before its transfer to Quiapo in 1868, the image has survived church fires, earthquakes, typhoons, and bombings during World War II. 

The procession, a key event for Filipino Catholics, underscores the enduring devotion to the Black Nazarene. Quiapo Church, which hosts thousands of Mass attendees daily, remains a spiritual haven for Catholics seeking confession and solace in their faith all year round.

By Catholic Connect Reporter