Parishioners, families, and friends of St. John the Baptist parish gathered on Friday, April 3 to commemorate the Holy Day of Good Friday.
Upwards of 100 or more people across four generations participated in a Stations of the Cross promenade that wound through the streets of Manayunk during the fifth annual commemoration of this unique prayer service event.
In all, the procession traveled 1.3 miles from St. John’s church, following a designated route that went up and down the back streets of this iconic Philadelphia neighborhod, that is one of the oldest in our fair city.
Father Kenneth Cavara leads the congregation in prayer in the church parking lot following the procession. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Master violinist Maria Dierkes set the mood for the neighborhood pilgrimage with some stirring passages. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
The cross pauses near the Lock St. Bridge for a Station Nine moment of reflection. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
The front of the procession, with Chris McNamara bearing the cross, makes its way through the Venice Island parking area. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Jarred Leso did yeoman’s work lugging a portable speaker through the entire procession route. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
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Father Kenneth Cavara leads the congregation in prayer in the church parking lot following the procession. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
With St. John the Baptist Pastor Father Kenneth Cavara at the helm, the gathering basically followed a path that went down Cotton Street, along Cresson Street, across a few blocks of Main Street, around Venice Island, and back up Shurs Lane, with a few more narrow streets thrown in for good measure to accommodate the 14 station stops along the way.
During each stop along the journey, the congregation was led in fervent prayer that marked each particular scene of Christ’s ordeal on that fateful day.
A moment of quiet reflection allowed the faithful to visualize what was transpiring at each station.
Attendees were given handout booklets at the beginning so that they could actively follow along and participate in the prayers and songs.
Given a cortege of this size, the winding streets along the route had to be clear of motor traffic to ensure the safety of the marchers who would be occupying the entire street.
Hats off to the gracious officers of the Fifth District who were ‘Johnny on the Spot’ making sure that each leg of the journey was unencumbered by vehicles, allowing the participants free reign along the procession route with seamless precision.
Special mention goes to Chris McNamara and John Skarbek who had the honor of taking on cross bearing responsibilities throughout the entourage’s route, with Chris doing the brunt of the legwork carrying the symbolic essence of Christianity.
Church members Joe Levering, left, Chris McNamara, and John Skarbek did a splendid job supporting Father Cavara in making the entire procession go like clockwork. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
The Kirsch family ambles their way up Shurs Lane with programs in hand. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Attendees gather in the St. John the Baptist parking lot for the final two stations and closing prayers. (Photo by Liz Coyle)
Fifth District officers, like John Mulqueeney, made the entire route safe and secure for attendees. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
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Church members Joe Levering, left, Chris McNamara, and John Skarbek did a splendid job supporting Father Cavara in making the entire procession go like clockwork. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Ditto for master violinist Maria Dierkes whose superb playing drifted through the air on each street as her majestic notes set the tone for the somber procession.
Likewise for Jarred Leso who lugged a portable speaker the entire way so that everyone in the assembly would be able to follow along with the recital.
Participants were gratified to see many of the neighbors along the route come out to warmly greet them as they made their way through several reisdnetail areas.
Some would join in at a particular station while some others actually latched on to the pilgrimage.
The final two stations were at the St. John’s Cemetery where Father Cavara led the congregation in closing prayers and graciously thanked the participants for making the station’s event so special.
Father Cavara expressed his delight that this public witness and dedication to the very solemn Holy Day of Good Friday has expanded in size each year, and he optimistically looked forward to having even more neighbors join next year’s grand procession.