If you have been in Quiapo Church for a multiple times, I guess this post is not meant for you. I intend to write and share this once-and-for-all experience since I started to live in Quiapo (about four months) within the vicinity. If you're planning to visit here (and if it's your first time), I guess you need to check and take a glimpse of my post. If you must, follow my tips and advices so that you'll be able to enjoy and make use of your time in roaming this beautiful site.
When we talk about Quiapo, bear in your mind about these stuffs: Crowd, Noise, Dirt, Traffic, Thieves, Beggars, Humid, and Chaos. If you're not acquainted with all these, I suppose that Quiapo is not your place. That's it! But, if these are not that big deal for you, then let's go on and proceed to our exploration and escapade to Quiapo Church!
Fridays and Sundays are the days which are densely populated! Avoid this days, if your schedule permits. Friday is "Quiapo Day" so expect the influx of devotees from Mega Manila including sub-provinces. However, you will feel the aura of fulfillment if you were able to catch a Holy Mass during that day. 04:00am is the First Mass. Prior to that, there's a Novena to the Black Nazarene at 03:30am. If you're indeed interested to visit Quiapo Church on Fridays, the best time to attend the mass is of course 04:00am-05:00am. Here are the best time to attend Holy Mass on Fridays (as well as on Sundays) based on my personal experience: 04:00am, 05:00am, 06:00am, 05:00pm and 07:00pm
If there's a best time-slot in attending Mass on Fridays and Sundays, there's a worst time-slot too which you must avoid - the 04:00pm Mass in the afternoon. (It's actually the opposite of 04:00am Mass, isn't? it) Here's the verdict: There is no Holy Mass after 01:00pm. The next Mass is 04:00pm. What do you think will happen? Very good! There's a stagnant or stranded group of people inside the church. Most of them will never leave until they've finish attending the Holy Celebration. And mind you, it is the most hottest time of the day! Between 01:00pm and 04:00pm, there's a "talk" from the priest presider. It is just an informal talk pertaining about the Word, current affairs/events in the country, or a mere simple discussion. Nothing that very special (I guess). Thus, most of the people were catching a nap or sleeping while listening and sitting inside the church. At 03:00pm, there is a Benediction of the Holy Eucharist, or simply called - the Holy Hour.
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