Good Friday procession through Trenton is a longstanding, beloved tradition
April 21, 2025 at 7:13 p.m.
On Good Friday, April 18, more than 1,000 faithful gathered at St. Joseph Church, Trenton, to participate in the solemn procession of the Buried Lord. The three-hour procession traveled to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, where the procession commemorated with a service commemorating the Death of the Lord.
A collaborative effort between the two parishes, along with the Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of Esquipulas, the procession was led by children of various ages who caried inscribed with Jesus’ last seven words, while others carried representations of the Stations of the Cross.
PHOTO GALLERY: Good Friday procession
Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Cathedral rector and pastor of St. Joseph Parish, noted that the procession is a tradition that has been observed in Trenton for approximately 30 years. “It’s a Guatemalan tradition,” he said. “Guatemala holds the Guinness World Record for the largest float of this kind – it’s carried by people.”
Msgr. Roldan explained that the Guatemalans in Trenton formed a fraternity based on a city in Guatemala in which they honor the Death of Christ, which brings salvation.
When describing why this event is important to our the community, he said, “Every culture has traditions to help focus on the essence of faith. Since most Hispanics in Trenton are from Guatemala, this tradition helps them center on what’s most important – especially on Good Friday when Christ gave his life for us.
“People witness this devotion and respect, and it's something that generations want to pass on,” he said.
During the procession there were hundreds of participants who were dressed in formal black attire to commemorate the Death of Jesus. Approximately 26 men carried a large float featuring statues of the Buried Lord and Our Lady of Sorrows. En route the Stations of the Cross were prayed in both in English and Spanish, which is an element that Msgr. Roldan implemented a number of years ago.
“The point of a procession is to give witness, and not everyone in the neighborhood speaks Spanish,” he said. “So we included the Stations of the Cross, alternating Spanish and English at each Station. They stop at each Station to pray and change carriers.”
Christopher Martinez of St. Joseph Parish volunteered to carry the float is because, “There's no greater thing in life than to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. He shared his hope that may people may see this act of the procession as a means of their faith.
“There's a lot of people here for the same reason and that may next year, may our faith and people grow,” Martinez said. “I hope people will understand from today a greater faith and understanding of this faith that was founded by Christ himself and the church he founded.”
“Vanessa,” a parishioner who attended the procession with her daughters, emphasized the significance of cultural traditions.
“We are here because it is important to remember that God gave his life for us.” “The love that God had for us,” she said. “That is what he wants us to remember not just today, but all the time.”
As the procession moved through the neighborhood, people emerged from their work places and homes to observe.
One onlooker, who stood on her doorstep as the first Station of the Cross paused in front of her home, noted that although she is not Catholic, she shared her appreciation for the annual tradition.
“I've been here since '77 and I have watched this kind of procession every single year,” she said, then recounted an important moment from the previous year.
Last year she said her grandson, who was six years old, stood next to her and he cried because Jesus died.
“He was really upset that he can see how Jesus was portrayed and how the soldiers were beating him,” he onlooker said.
“Good Friday is for him, Jesus gave his life for us, for all our sins,” she said.
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On Good Friday, April 18, more than 1,000 faithful gathered at St. Joseph Church, Trenton, to participate in the solemn procession of the Buried Lord. The three-hour procession traveled to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, where the procession commemorated with a service commemorating the Death of the Lord.
A collaborative effort between the two parishes, along with the Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of Esquipulas, the procession was led by children of various ages who caried inscribed with Jesus’ last seven words, while others carried representations of the Stations of the Cross.
PHOTO GALLERY: Good Friday procession
Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Cathedral rector and pastor of St. Joseph Parish, noted that the procession is a tradition that has been observed in Trenton for approximately 30 years. “It’s a Guatemalan tradition,” he said. “Guatemala holds the Guinness World Record for the largest float of this kind – it’s carried by people.”
Msgr. Roldan explained that the Guatemalans in Trenton formed a fraternity based on a city in Guatemala in which they honor the Death of Christ, which brings salvation.
When describing why this event is important to our the community, he said, “Every culture has traditions to help focus on the essence of faith. Since most Hispanics in Trenton are from Guatemala, this tradition helps them center on what’s most important – especially on Good Friday when Christ gave his life for us.
“People witness this devotion and respect, and it's something that generations want to pass on,” he said.
During the procession there were hundreds of participants who were dressed in formal black attire to commemorate the Death of Jesus. Approximately 26 men carried a large float featuring statues of the Buried Lord and Our Lady of Sorrows. En route the Stations of the Cross were prayed in both in English and Spanish, which is an element that Msgr. Roldan implemented a number of years ago.
“The point of a procession is to give witness, and not everyone in the neighborhood speaks Spanish,” he said. “So we included the Stations of the Cross, alternating Spanish and English at each Station. They stop at each Station to pray and change carriers.”
Christopher Martinez of St. Joseph Parish volunteered to carry the float is because, “There's no greater thing in life than to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. He shared his hope that may people may see this act of the procession as a means of their faith.
“There's a lot of people here for the same reason and that may next year, may our faith and people grow,” Martinez said. “I hope people will understand from today a greater faith and understanding of this faith that was founded by Christ himself and the church he founded.”
“Vanessa,” a parishioner who attended the procession with her daughters, emphasized the significance of cultural traditions.
“We are here because it is important to remember that God gave his life for us.” “The love that God had for us,” she said. “That is what he wants us to remember not just today, but all the time.”
As the procession moved through the neighborhood, people emerged from their work places and homes to observe.
One onlooker, who stood on her doorstep as the first Station of the Cross paused in front of her home, noted that although she is not Catholic, she shared her appreciation for the annual tradition.
“I've been here since '77 and I have watched this kind of procession every single year,” she said, then recounted an important moment from the previous year.
Last year she said her grandson, who was six years old, stood next to her and he cried because Jesus died.
“He was really upset that he can see how Jesus was portrayed and how the soldiers were beating him,” he onlooker said.
“Good Friday is for him, Jesus gave his life for us, for all our sins,” she said.