Thousands of Catholic devotees thronged the streets of Manila on Thursday to pray for a miracle, first to approach the historic statue of the Black Nazarene in the annual show of faith.
The procession to Quiapo Church in Manila, which began before dawn after mass outside, is expected to be attended by more than two million people from various parts of the predominantly Catholic country, according to church officials. .
Barefoot men and women dressed in maroon robes—the color of the robes of the black wooden statue of the Black Nazarene—first grabbed the rope that pulled the statue, believing it would bring good health.
"I prayed that my mother recovers from her heart attack," Dong Lapira, 54, told AFP about a previous procession where he was injured and pushed in his attempt to join the rope pullers.
But he vowed to try again this Thursday—this time to pray for his wife's recovery from kidney disease.
"The Nazareno is very sacred. It has fulfilled many prayers," he added.
Some devotees throw white towels at the chariot keepers, who wipe the glass of the statue before returning the towels.
Although the authorities have banned devotees from climbing on the chariot, some still climb on top of other people, risking their lives and safety just to get close to the statue.
Ester Espiritu, 76, who traveled 35 kilometers from her home in Cavite, said just seeing the statue was enough for her.
"Even though it's difficult for me to come here because of my age... I feel happy and relieved every time I see the Nazarene," said Espiritu, who has been a devotee of the statue for 40 years. He said, he is praying for the recovery of his shoulder which has been in pain for a long time.
It is believed that its black color was caused by a fire on the Spanish ship where it was being transported.
According to the police, nearly 14,500 security personnel have been deployed along the six-kilometer procession route as a precaution.
Mobile phone signals were temporarily cut off to prevent remote detonation of explosives, according to police.
Emergency response teams are also stationed along the route.
According to the Red Cross, they provided first aid to more than 100 participants in the first hours of the procession, mostly for cuts, dizziness, vomiting, and weakness.
