(UPDATED) Jesus Nazareno devotees coming from different walks of life come together barefoot for the annual Traslacion.

The Traslacion sees thousands, even millions of devotees,  joining the procession of the image of the Jesus Nazareno starting from the Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila every January 9, 2025.

Oftentimes, devotees come with someone else, joined by either friends or relatives. This allows the tradition to be passed on to the younger generations.

One such pair who atended this year's Traslacion is cousins Marielle Cabalse and Kevin Carlos Gundran. The two walked some 4 kilometers from Malate to Quiapo barefoot as their annual vow to the Nazarene.

ANNUAL VOW

The 25-year old Cabalse has been a devotee of the Black Nazarene for more than nine years, drawing inspiration from a deceased friend who was also a devotee.

Cabalse says in Filipino: "We do this every year. Once January arrives, we really prepare for it. As the day comes closer, i get excited. I can feel the presence of the Lord. This also thanks for being able to get by every day." 

On the practice of walking barefoot, she says, "Our Lord God walked while bearing a cross on His shoulder, walking barefoot is nothing. This is the vow we grew up on." 

She adds, "I pray for everyone's good health. I'm not doing this just for me. Prayers shouldn't be just for ourselves. it should be for everyone. The sick, the bad, the good, not just for the things you want."

STEPS OF GRATITUDE

Kevin, also  25, has been a devotee since 2018  and is used to walking barefoot despite long distances.

He says "We do this every year even if we walk long distances. It's ok though because its as if you really feel the presence of the Nazarene. What's a day of being tired anyway? It's really quite the feeling of joining this as thanks for all the blessings you received from the past year."

According to Kevin, nothing can replace and explain the experiencing of offering and sacrificing their efforts compared to the blessing that they have been receiving year round.

"Every step I take during Traslacion is thanks to all the blessings He has already given and to all the ones that will come."