Good Friday procession marches through Amherstburg

Participants in this year's Good Friday procession gather for a group photo outside of St. John the Baptist Church last Friday morning.

The annual tradition started inside the church

The annual Good Friday procession, otherwise known as the Way of the Cross, wound its way through the downtown core of Amherstburg the morning of April 3.

The procession was presented by St. John the Baptist Church, with it being a long-standing project of the church’s Italian community. After a Mass inside the church, the procession started in front of the church and made its way north on Brock St. to Richmond St. and headed west to Ramsay St., with a stop next to Richmond Terrace Long-Term Care Home along the way.

Once the procession left Richmond St., it headed south on Ramsay St. with a stop in front of Christ Anglican Church included. After a prayer by Rev. Lisa Poultney, the procession continued to Park St. and then to Bathurst St., before winding its way down Simcoe St. with a stop at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Rev. Shirley Carleton said a prayer in front of the church.

Nicola Simone portrayed Jesus Christ again this year during St. John the Baptist Church's Good Friday procession. He is pictured during the re-enactment of the crucifixion after the procession returned to the church last Friday morning. More photos are on the RTT's social media pages.

The procession then went east on Simcoe St. to Brock St. and then back over to St. John the Baptist Church. 

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was re-enacted on the front steps of the church, followed by concluding remarks and a blessing from Father Paul Kim.

Anna Donatucci, who helped organize the procession with husband Marino, said they thank all who had a hand in participating and allowing this year’s Good Friday procession to be held once again. She honoured those who started the procession and those who keep it going.

The Good Friday procession leaves Christ Church (above) and later heads down Brock St. (below).

“A lot of people helped us along the way,” she told the congregation inside the church, following the procession. 

While St. John the Baptist Church hopes to keep the annual tradition going well into the future, they also had an eye towards the past.

“Those no longer with us, we keep them in our hearts,” said Donatucci.

Good Friday procession marches through Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu