IN PICTURES: MOMENTS DURING THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

JANUARY 09, 2012

MANILA PHILIPPINES

Barefoot Catholic devotees jostle to kiss the cross being borne by the wooden statue known as the Black Nazarene as they gather at the Rizal Park Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 during it's annual festival in Manila, Philippines. More than 3 million devotees paraded the charred Christ statue, believed to have healing powers, through the Philippine capital despite a warning from President Benigno Aquino III that terrorists might target the gathering. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A steel railing is removed to pave the way for the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene to celebrate its annual festival at the Rizal Park Monday Jan.9, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. More than 3 million devotees paraded the charred Christ statue, believed to have healing powers, through the Philippine capital despite a warning from President Benigno Aquino III that terrorists might target the gathering. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Fireworks light up the sky during a dawn mass at the Rizal Park Monday Jan. 9, 2012 to celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Philippines. More than 3 million devotees paraded the charred Christ statue, believed to have healing powers, through the Philippine capital despite a warning from President Benigno Aquino III that terrorists might target the gathering. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A devotee climbs and kisses the wooden cross of the Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila January 9, 2012. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION SOCIETY)

Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio gestures besides a statue of a Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila January 9, 2012. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION SOCIETY)

A Filipino devotee carries his daughter to be able to kiss the foot of a centuries-old wood image of Jesus Christ known as the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines on Sunday Jan. 8, 2010. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III warned of a possible terrorist attack, including bombings, during an annual Roman Catholic procession tomorrow Jan. 9 to mark the feast day of the Black Nazarene in Manila that is expected to draw millions of devotees. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Catholic devotees take part in the annual religious procession of the statue of the Black Nazarene in Manila January 9, 2012. President Benigno Aquino warned on Sunday that officials were bracing for a possible Islamist militant attack in the capital on the eve of a religious procession to be joined by millions of barefoot devotees. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

Catholic devotees wave white handkerchiefs as they chant "Viva Nazareno" during the annual religious procession of the statue of the Black Nazarene in Manila January 9, 2012. President Benigno Aquino warned on Sunday that officials were bracing for a possible Islamist militant attack in the capital on the eve of a religious procession to be joined by millions of barefoot devotees. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

Catholic devotees jostle to hold a rope for pulling a carriage that transports the statue of the Black Nazarene during the annual religious procession in Manila January 9, 2012. President Benigno Aquino warned on Sunday that officials were bracing for a possible Islamist militant attack in the capital on the eve of a religious procession to be joined by millions of barefoot devotees. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

Rain pours as Filipino devotees carry a replica of a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ, known as the Black Nazarene, during the blessing and procession of the replicas in Manila, Philippines, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. Tens of thousands of devotees are expected to join a procession on the feast day of the Black Nazarene on Monday, Jan. 9 to seek redemption from sins, miracle cures for illnesses and a better life. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Women devotees walks barefooted while carrying a replica of the Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila January 7, 2012. Millions of Filipinos devotees will take to the streets on Monday to participate in the grand procession as part of celebrations of the black wooden statue of Jesus of Nazarene. It is believed by locals that a miracle can happen after touching it. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

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