Chilly temperatures and hovering dark clouds served as a most appropriate backdrop as some 450 faithful joined in a solemn, slow-moving Good Friday Via Crucis procession that began on the steps of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and ambled through the several area streets.

While en-route during the nearly mile-long journey, periodic stops along the way were made where the throng reflected upon the Lord’s torturous Passion and Death as they prayed the Stations of the Cross and symbolically retraced the last steps of Jesus before his Crucifixion.

At the center of the procession, all eyes were focused on the large wooden catafalque that was gallantly hoisted upon the shoulders of a number of ushers who were dressed in black suits. Tears streamed down faces and heads reverently bowed as the throng gazed upon the life-size statue of the crucified Christ as the catafalque passed.

Around the bloodied and beaten corpus, white florals and greens served as a gentle reminder to all of what was yet to come – Christ’s glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.

Among those who walked close by were young people from the parish religious education program. They were dressed in bright garb and carried crosses symbolizing the Stations of the Cross. There was a number of young girls and women from the cathedral, donning black clothing and veils who walked behind the catafalque as well as altar servers and clergy from the parish – Msgr. John K. Dermond, rector; Father Alcides Castro-Lopez and Father Nilo Apura, parochial vicars, and the cathedral’s deacons.

When the procession returned to the cathedral, the throng processed inside where they continued their observance of Good Friday with a prayer service, adoration of the Cross and reception of the Eucharist.

Having this devotion in public, which has been a mainstay of the cathedral’s Triduum observance for many years, “helps to proclaim our faith and invite others to come to know about the salvation won for us by Christ,” said Msgr. Dermond.

By remembering this “painful walk of Jesus in Jerusalem, we imitate what he did,” said Deacon Jose Beauchamps, who, as a lifelong resident of the area, has known and experienced the history of the cathedral’s Via Crucis for many years.

While her three-year-old son, Jaime sat snug in his stroller, Sindy Grijalva and her mother, Odilia Grijalva, looked on as the catafalque somberly passed by.

“This is a beautiful way to bring the community together,” said Sindy Grijavla, who has participated in the procession for five years. “And it’s an outward way for us to express our love for God and all he has done for our family. It’s a time to let God know how grateful we are to him, a time to say thank you.”