Manila: Black Nazarene, 20 Million Expected Before January 9

Asianews: Some twenty million Catholics are set to mark the end of celebrations in honour of the Black Nazarene, which began on 31 December and will end on 9 January.

This involves the traditional carriage of the centuries-old wooden statue of Christ through the streets of central Manila.

Every year, the traslacion (transfer) of the holy sculpture (pictured) from its original site at the San Nicolas Tolentino Church in Intramuros to the Quiapo Church brings the novena to a close amid millions of believers gathered in prayer, asking for a grace or a personal miracle.

In the Philippines, a predominantly Christian nation in Asia, more than 80 per cent of its population of 105 million is Catholic. The procession of the Black Nazarene is one of its most famous and popular religious events. More here.