(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- On this Good Friday, a long-time tradition continued in the Pilsen neighborhood as hundreds of people took part in a mile-and-a-half long process during a reenactment of the final hours of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Tom Lynch of St. Pius V Church gave an opening prayer before dozens of characters dressed as they would have in the time of Jesus and walked from Providence of God Church to Harrison Park.
21-year old Ernest Rionaula portrayed Jesus starting with being whipped by Roman soldiers and carrying a cross. Rionaula said he found himself crying this week at home.
"The understanding, beginning to understand this is what Jesus did," he said. "This is what he went through. It’s no longer just a story. It comes to life."
Nellie Quintana is one of the coordinators of the Via Crucis.
"It really does touch your heart-touches people’s hearts and it really does change your life."
This is the 46th year of the Good Friday procession in Pilsen.
Related
Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram