After a grueling 22 hour procession, the longest ever in history, the Black Nazarene returned to the Quiapo Minor Basilica.
Despite of the earlier terrorist attack warning from Malacanang, devotees still flocked to the procession that started from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta enroute to Quiapo. The Manila Police said that this might be the largest gathering of devotees to this annual feast. They had estimated it to reached the million mark and more were waiting for the icon at the basilica.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle said that their main concern was the terrorist attack for if that happens, thousands of the devotees will be hurt, but still, they ignored the threat and went on with their annual ritual of devotion to the Black Nazarene.
There was a problem though when the carriage with the icon was slightly had a mishap but, with the throngs of devotees helped return the icon to the basilica.
Quiapo Church rector Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio said that the faith and prayers of the devotees helped them to believe that no terrorist threats can stop them to go to the annual procession. He said that it was the first time such threats were made and even the President himself announced the warning to be vigilant with the threat.
An estimated 800,000 more devotees were waiting for the return of the Black Nazarene to the basilica. Before ending the mass officiated by the archbishop, a big commotion happened when hundreds of the devotees inside the basilica hurriedly went in front of the altar to be the first to get hold of the andas, the carriage with the Black Nazarene.
Hundreds were injured due to exhaustion, hunger and lack of water. But still, all injured devotees doesn't mind what pain they experienced for their devotion to the Black Nazarene.
The only thing people complained during the feast was the lack of communication signal. The Palace asked telephone companies to barred texting and calling in the vicinity of Quiapo to prevent any terrorist communications.
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