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Missionaries of the Poor takes crucifixion story to downtown streets

Published:Saturday | April 8, 2023 | 1:11 AM
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In keeping with the annual Easter tradition, Missionaries of the Poor brothers re-enact the 14 stations of the cross in reflecting on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday as part of Holy Week activities yesterday. Here, missionaries dressed as Ro
Rudolph Brown/Photographer
In keeping with the annual Easter tradition, Missionaries of the Poor brothers re-enact the 14 stations of the cross in reflecting on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday as part of Holy Week activities yesterday. Here, missionaries dressed as Roman soldiers keep watch as ‘Jesus’ makes his way to ‘Calvary’ as the annual Way of the Cross procession moved through sections of downtown Kingston. Across the globe, millions of Christians commemorated the death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday.
Members of the congregations of Roman Catholic churches read scriptures under the 14 themes during the Way of the Cross procession on Friday.
Rudolph Brown/Photographer
Members of the congregations of Roman Catholic churches read scriptures under the 14 themes during the Way of the Cross procession on Friday.
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In reminding Jamaicans of the true reason for Easter holidays, brothers from the Missionaries of the Poor took to the streets on Good Friday for their annual way of the cross parade, re-enacting the stages leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.

The tradition is one which takes place worldwide annually on Good Friday, a day set aside in some religions and countries for holy rest and the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary.

To some, the walk Jesus took on behalf of every human’s sin is of the most admirable attributes of the Saviour, and one worth reflecting on annually.

However, to the priests of the Missionaries of the Poor, it is more than that. They see it as the walk which has granted everyone the ability to choose eternal life. And in an effort to highlight how they feel, on Friday, 14 priests re-enacted the steps of Christ, interchangeably carrying a cross, under the 14 themes:

• Jesus is condemned to death

• Jesus made to carry His cross

• Jesus falls the first time

• Jesus meets His sorrowful mother

• Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross

• Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

• Jesus falls the second time

• The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus

• Jesus falls the third time

• Jesus is stripped of His garments

• Jesus is nailed to the cross

• Jesus is raised upon the cross and dies

• Jesus is taken down from the cross

• Jesus is laid in the sepulchre

They were joined by members of the congregations of Roman Catholic churches, who read several scriptures under the themes, reflecting on the life of Jesus, as they prayed and raised powerful songs.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com