HUNDREDS MARK HOLY CEREMONY
Bishop William McGrattan leaves St. Mary’s Cathedral during the Way of the Cross on Good Friday in downtown Calgary. Hundreds gathered to symbolically retrace the steps of Jesus Christ’s journey leading to his crucifixion.
On one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar, hundreds of people gathered in downtown Calgary to symbolically retrace the steps of Jesus Christ’s journey leading up to his crucifixion.
The Way of the Cross began at St. Mary’s Cathedral and ventured through downtown Calgary, pausing at 14 different stations, each symbolizing a significant moment in Christ’s journey. The location of each station also represented a local hardship Calgarians face on a daily basis.
“The stations are really connected to the local sufferings some people have had in Calgary, such as unemployment and prostitution,” Bishop William McGrattan said in an interview at the conclusion of the ceremony.
“It was quite moving for me.” St. Monica’s School, representing those who assist people with developmental disabilities, “Cash Corner,” representing the people not afforded a living wage, and “Street Workers corner,” representing individuals trapped in the sex trade, were three of the 14 stations.
McGrattan led the prayers and the readings at each station throughout the event. He said he was moved by the turnout and faithfulness of the followers.
“This has been an interesting but overwhelming experience for me,” added McGrattan. “I was marked by the devotion of the people, at times the silence and the reverence.”
Not only does the Way of the Cross relive Christ’s journey and bring focus to local social issues, it also offers an examination of current global turmoil.
McGrattan said many of the extreme acts of violence occurring in the world today shouldn’t be overlooked, and on Good Friday we should be more conscious of working for peace and reconciliation.
“Christianity wants to provide meaning that there is suffering, but the reason for that suffering is so we’re united, and so that we’re working for peace together, that we respect and try to promote that unity in our cities and in the world,” said McGrattan.
Joe Dobos, who took part in the Way of the Cross on Friday, said the event offers a valuable reconnection to his faith, but just as important is the emphasis placed on eliminating inequalities in the world.
He said the readings at each station reiterate the base values of life that, if everyone lived by them, would help reduce or eliminate poverty, war and inequality.
“The world is full of greed,” said Dobos. “Nothing destroys human dignity more than greed.”