Prelate to devotees : Respect Mass before procession

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on Tuesday called on the devotees of the miraculous icon not to be rowdy during the procession and the conduct of the "traslacion."

Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Minor Basilica, urged the people flocking to the procession to allow the Holy Mass at the Quirino Grandstand to end before approaching the carriage carrying the image of the Black Nazarene.

"Pakiusap po namin na tapusin po ang misa bago lumapit sa andas. Igalang natin ang pagkasagrado ng sakramento ng misa at huwag mag-ingay sa loob ng misa at hanggat hindi nailuloklok ang imahen sa andas," Ignacio said.

The prelate said that the devotees and others who would be joining the procession to let Manila Archbishop Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who would be celebrating the Mass on Jan. 9, to bless the carriage before pulling on the ropes attached to it.

Ignacio also appealed to the millions of devotees to the Black Nazarene to avoid as much as possible littering the streets with little items they bring along with them, such as food wrappers and plastic mineral bottles.

He also said that it is expected that it would take longer for the carriage of the Black Nazarene to reach its destination in Quiapo church because of the rerouting.

The carriage will no longer be passing MacArthur Bridge which is undergoing rehabilitation and repairs, Ignacio said.