Thousands of Christian faithful marched across the Brooklyn Bridge on April 18 to commemorate Good Friday.
The Way of the Cross is an annual procession from Saint James Cathedral-Basilica, on Cathedral Place between Jay Street and Flatbush Avenue Extension, to Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan. It is led by a parishioner carrying a large wooden cross, and is supposed to emulate the story of Jesus Christ’s torturous walk to get crucified. Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio took part in this year’s solemn cavalcade, though Dolan jumped in a car to make the noon mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral across the East River.
The tradition started in Italy, but first surfaced in New York in 1996 with a handful of followers from the Movement of Communion and Liberation. The mostly silent march has grown to a massive procession that shuts the bridge to bike commuters.
Reach reporter Matthew Perlman at (718) 260-8310. E-mail him at mperlman@cnglocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewjperlman.
GOOD TIMES DOLAN: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, center, marched with the Good Friday procession momentarily.
Photo by Paul Martinka
ROBES ARE MADE FOR WALKING: Cardinal Dolan and Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio took part in the annual walk, but Dolan ducked out to catch a ride to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.
Photo by Paul Martinka
BRIDGE BETWEEN CULTURES: The “Way of the Cross” started in Italy, but was adopted in New York by members of the Movement of Communion and Liberation in 1996.
Photo by Paul Martinka
CROSS-ROADS: The annual procession closes the Brooklyn Bridge bike path but not the road below.
Photo by Paul Martinka
HIGH HOLY DAY: The procession stopped mid-span for prayers.
Photo by Paul Martinka
HEAVY LOAD: A Christian toted the heavy wood crucifix the whole way from Downtown to Manhattan.
