Daven Tamayo

IN PHOTOS: Jesus Nazareno returns home after nearly 31 hours of Traslación

Article (news)

Maria Virginia Sy

Balanga Bishop Most Rev. Jun Sescon presides over the Midnight Mass for the Traslacion of Jesus Nazareno, as thousands of devotees gather in prayer ahead of the annual procession. The Mass marks the start of the religious rites leading to the Traslacion, one of the largest Catholic devotions in the country, drawing millions of faithful seeking healing, thanksgiving, and renewed faith.

Thousands of devotees gather in prayer as Balanga Bishop Most Rev. Rufino Sescon Jr D. D celebrates the Misa Mayor for the annual Traslacion of Jesus Nazareno on January 9, 2026.

The annual Traslación of the Black Nazarene begins as the image of Jesus Nazareno is carried on the andas, departing from the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, with thousands of barefoot devotees joining the procession in prayer, thanksgiving, and fulfillment of religious vows.

Catholic devotees join along with the carriage carrying the image of Jesus Nazareno, also known as Jesus the Nazarene, during the annual religious procession in Manila on January 9, 2026.

Thousands of devotees jostle and grapple for the ropes and a chance to climb the andas as the Traslación passes through Palanca Street in Quiapo, Manila, on January 9, 2026.

Devotees arrive with their families as they wait for the arrival of the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno at Plaza del Carmen in Manila on January 9, 2026.

Devotees wait for the arrival of the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno at Plaza del Carmen in Manila on January 9, 2026.

For the first time, the Traslación was intended to conclude with the image of Jesus Nazareno staying inside San Sebastian Church following the "Dungaw" of Nuestra Señora del Carmen de San Sebastian, marking the 10th anniversary of the tradition. However, the crowd continued to steer the carriage along the traditional route toward its final destination, the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of the Jesus Nazareno.

A devotee climbs the andas carrying the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno during the Traslación in Manila on January 10, 2026.

Devotees steer the andas along the traditional route toward its final destination at Quiapo Church, following the historic Dungaw at San Sebastian Church on January 10, 2026.

Thousands of devotees pray as the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno makes its way to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, nearly 31 hours after the Traslación began on January 9, 2026.

Thousands of devotees sing as the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno enters the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, nearly 31 hours after the Traslación began on January 9, 2026.

ABS-CBN News

<div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]]</div>The image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno finally returned home to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine in Quiapo at 10:50 a.m. on January 10, nearly 31 hours after the Traslación departed from the Quirino Grandstand at 4 a.m. on January 9—marking the longest procession in the tradition’s history. The grueling procession commemorates the image&#x27;s original transfer from Intramuros to its current location over two centuries ago on January 9, 1787.In a fierce display of religious fervor, millions of devotees clad in maroon and gold survived the journey. Crowds jostled and grappled for a chance to touch the image as it inched toward the Basilica, having started from the Quirino Grandstand at 4:00 AM on January 9.  A rhythmic sea of white towels unfurled and were thrown to volunteers for a chance to be wiped against the sacred image, as thousands of devotees waited along the procession route. Concerned by the slow pace, Church leaders initially considered concluding the event early following the Dungaw at San Sebastian Church. However, devotees successfully steered the carriage forward, determined to complete the traditional route. The long hours did not deter the faithful; despite repeated appeals from the Church to allow the andas to return safely and quickly, the crowd remained steadfast.As the andas made its way back, a plea to devotees was heard to allow the image to return to its shrine: “Umagos na tayo patungo sa ‘Bahay ng Hari’” (Let us stream toward the ‘House of the King’).For many, this sacrifice is an act of thanksgiving for answered prayers and an expression of penance for sins committed over the past year. To these devotees, their physical exhaustion is incomparable to the sacrifice Christ made to save humanity.

The image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno finally returned home to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine in Quiapo nearly 31 hours after the Traslación departed from the Quirino Grandstand at 4 a.m. on January 9, marking the longest procession in the tradition’s history.

The image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno finally returned home to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine in Quiapo nearly 31 hours after the Traslación departed from the Quirino Grandstand at 4 a.m. on January 9, marking the longest procession in the tradition’s history.