Good Friday
Posted on: March 25, 2008, at 03:55:09pm

SPRINGFIELD - Some walked because of tradition. Some walked because of a decades-old promise. Some walked for their faith.

Whatever their reason, hundreds braved the cold and biting winds of Good Friday to join the Way of the Cross yesterday as it wound through the streets of the North End. Organized by the Latino community and parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church, the yearly observance re-enacts the final hours of Jesus and the devotions commemorating them.

In the church parking lot, Christ, portrayed by Michael J. Wilson of Springfield and guarded by Roman Centurions, appeared before Pontius Pilate, played by Gil Lopez of Springfield. The Roman soldiers lashed him and crowned him with thorns. After Pilate washed his hands, the soldiers dragged Christ into Waverly Street.

The priests of the church led, followed by two men playing the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus. Christ, who carried the huge wooden cross, the Roman soldiers, the "mob" and women playing the Daughters of Jerusalem were joined by hundreds who had come to walk and pray. At various points, the procession paused to re-enact each of 12 Stations of the Cross, including Christ falling, Veronica wiping Jesus' face and Simon taking up the cross.

The procession led back to the church, where Christ, bare feet clad in sandals, was stripped of his white robe. The Roman soldiers "nailed" him to the cross, and he yelled in agony with each strike of the hammer in the hushed church.

Christ's death on the cross was met with the sound of thunder, flashing lights and the wails of women.