Quiapo Church holds online Masses

MASSES at Quiapo Church, home of the Black Nazarene and the country’s main pilgrimage site, are now being streamed live on the Internet.

Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the church’s official name, today said the project is currently undergoing “test broadcasts” and is doing well.

“We primarily intend to reach out to OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] and devotees of the Black Nazarene,” Msgr. Ignacio said. “It is not a substitute for attending Mass. Catholics still have to go to Mass in their churches.”

“Live streaming came about as a result of requests from OFWs who are unable to attend Mass. At least it can help them nourish their faith,” he said.

Several Masses are held each day at Quiapo Church but only the liturgical services on Fridays and Sundays are being streamed live.

Friday is Quiapo Day when thousands of Catholics troop to the minor basilica to pray for miracles from the Black Nazarene.

The Internet service can be accessed on the parish’s website.

The service is just one example where the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines is trying to utilizing the Internet for evangelization.

Another project that aroused public interest attention was “Visita Iglesia Online” which seeks to help Filipinos observe Catholic Lenten rites, especially those in non-Catholic countries.

Some bishops and priests are also writing blogs to spread the Scripture.

Report from ucanews.com