Quiapo Church/OWT

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or more popularly known as the Quiapo Church in Plaza Miranda along Quezon Boulevard in Manila.  I haven't been to this area of Manila in almost two decades until last Saturday.  

This church is home to a 17th century life-size statue of the Black Nazarene to whom many Catholics are devotees.  Many devotees have testified to the healing power of the Black Nazarene, making this church a pilgrimage to Filipino Catholics.

The feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated every January 9th, and attended by thousands of bare-footed devotees, mostly men (women, especially the elderly are discouraged to join because of the pushing and shoving), who join the procession.  Year after year, people have died and hospitalized from the surge of devotees during the procession.

Franciscan missionaries built the original church in the 15th century.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday