St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Swedesboro celebrated its 35th year of holding Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
SWEDESBORO — A large crowd gathered at St. Clare of Assisi Parish Friday to participate in the 35th annual Stations of the Cross.
This religious event is held at numerous Catholic churches on Good Friday as a way to remember the events surrounding Jesus' death on the cross. The Swedesboro Parish forgoes the comfort of staying inside their church and instead holds a procession outside.
The day seemed mired with clouds and scattered showers early on, but as members of the community began showing up the weather began to clear.
"The sun came out. He put his rays on his parade, you know, and that's just what we needed to have — just a beautiful day with a beautiful gathering," said Deacon Joe Garrozo, a clergyman of St. Clare of Assisi Parish.
The event began in front of the church on Broad Street where a cross was carried to the front of the group of about 150 members of the community. The parade continued on for one mile, making a full circle back to the church, and made 14 stops along the way.
At each stop, or station, a member of the clergy would lead everyone in a reading that recounted the events of Good Friday according to the Christian faith. They then held a prayer and before continuing their march in song, they'd switched out members of the community to carry the cross. Some local residents make it a point to participate and carry the cross every year.
"I've been doing it for 35 years," said Luis Luna of Woodbury.
Luna explained that his father brought him to the very first Stations of the Cross in Swedesboro and has participated every year since. He has even continued the tradition with his own family as well.
The participants who carried the cross varied not only in age and gender but in numbers as well. Christie Kennedy, a resident of Swedesboro, took a turn in carrying the cross with her two elementary-aged children. Her hope in having them participate was that it would be a learning experience.
"I feel that it's a nice way that the kids can really understand what Easter is about," explained Kennedy. "You know, I think it's kind of an abstract idea for them and for them to actually hold the cross it makes it a little more concrete that this is what Jesus did so many years ago. "
At the procession's end, an invitation was extended for anyone in the community to return to St. Clare of Assisi Parish for other services in observance of Easter.
Anthony Medina may be reached at amedina@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.