way of the cross 2005 in the United States THE MESSAGE FROM JOHN PAUL II From the Vatican, 23 March 2005 To the Cardinal Edward M. Egan, Archbishop of New York His Holiness pope John Paul II asks you kindly to convey his greetings and the assurance of his closeness in prayer to all taking part in the good friday Way of the Cross over the Brooklyn Bridge on the tenth anniversary of this pious exercise organized by “Communion and Liberation”, which this year mourns the passing of its founder, monsignor Luigi Giussani. With gratitude to the Honorable mayor of New York for his proclamation honoring this annual procession, his holiness prays that as the faithful tread the streets of the great metropolis in recollected silence, meditating on the last hours of our redeemer, they will be led to imitate ever more fully the lord’s saving obedience to the father’s will and become ever more effective witnesses of the reconciling power of the Gospel, the consoling message of God’s infinite mercy, and that divine love which alone can inspire and sustain the human family’s efforts to build a world of greater fraternity, freedom, justice and peace. As a pledge of Easter joy the Holy Father invokes upon all taking part in the urban pilgrimage an abundance of heavenly blessings. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State PROCLAMATION BY THE MAJOR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK Whereas: New York is proud to be home to many vibrant rellglous communities, each of which makes important contributions to the city’s cultural, social, and spiritual vitality. Today, on Good Friday, new yorkers of all faiths are reminded of the importance of religious and civic commitment. Whereas: In commemoration of this important religious event, thousands of New yorkers will participate in the Way of the Cross over the Brooklyn Bridge, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The reverend Ignatius A. Catanello, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, will once again lead the procession, which begins at St. James Cathedral, crosses over the Brooklyn Bridge, stops at city hall park and Ground zero, and culminates at St. Peter’s Church. According to the Irish proverb, “a person’s heart is in their feet.” All of those who have chosen to follow the Way of the Cross are putting their faith into action in a meaningful and tangible manner. New York city commends them on their dedication. Now therefore, I, Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of the city of New York, in recognition of the 10th anniversary of this solemn observance, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 25, 2005 in the city of New York as “way of the cross over the Brooklyn Bridge Day”. Michael R. Bloomberg NY – Riro Maniscalco Two thousand people followed the cross on Good Friday on the Brooklyn Bridge in what has become a powerful tradition and witness of faith in New York City, as Mayor Bloomberg acknowledged on this 10th anniversary. Despite the cold weather and cloudy skies, a huge crowd filled St. James Cathedral, at the foot of the bridge on the Brooklyn side, and kept growing along the way to Ground Zero. Led as always by H.E. Ignatius Catanello, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, and with H.E. Archbishop Celestino Migliore offering a reflection at the Third Station, the believers were accompanied by a special papal blessing. DC – Barbara Gagliotti “This is a difficult Easter weekend for you because of the death of Fr. Giussani. I think of him today and I have no doubt that he is with the Lord and enjoying in the deepest way Good Friday with the triumphant Jesus who is Lord of all.” With these words, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick greeted those gathered for Way of the Cross in the nation’s Capital. The Cardinal then gave a moving reflection on the many encounters Jesus had on the day He died, from the ambiguous Pilate and scornful soldiers to the happier meetings with Mary and Veronica. “The question for me and you,” he urged, “is what happens when He encounters us?” More than 200 people followed the procession as it made its way along the Capitol Mall toward the Washington Monument. Duluth, MN - Sharon Mollerus The communities of Duluth and Crosby came together for a second year for a Procession of the Cross in Duluth. The walk, including about thirty adults and children, started from The College of St. Scholastica, proceeded to the Newman Center of University of Minnesota Duluth and ended with the last station on the steps of the Cathedral of Our Lady, where Bishop Dennis Schnurr read the Gospel with us right before the Good Friday service. The large wooden cross carried in the Procession was the same one venerated during the liturgy. One family, including a grandfather who carried the cross, traveled from Moose Lake an hour away to join us; they were so pleased they plan to return again next year. Rochester – Fr. Jerry Mahon The Way of the Cross in Rochester began at Government Center, the Court House, an appropriate starting point in light of Jesus’ experience with Pilate. For the sixth year, Bishop Bernard J. Harrington of the Diocese of Winona led the procession by carrying the cross through the city to the Catholic Church of St. John the Evangelist. Over 200 people processed two by two in silence through this city of suffering and sacrifice, home to the Mayo Clinic. This was not a gesture of “good intentions,” but a desire to experience a Presence that leads us to eternity, which Father Giussani taught us about and which now lives through the Victory of Christ! Boston – Sharon Sampson One hundred fifty people followed the Way of the Cross in Boston, starting at Boston Common, then stopping at the spot where the Holy Father celebrated Mass during his visit to Boston in 1979, and again in front of the Boston Park Plaza. Fr. Michael Nolan and Fr. Vincent Nagle gave the meditations at each station, and Fr. Dan Hennessey carried a relic of the True Cross from the Cathedral of Boston. At the last station, inside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Archbishop Sean O’Malley warmly greeted us and offered his reflection on Mark’s Gospel and on this gesture. “This station shows us the grain of wheat planted in the ground that bears so much fruit, the Bread of Life that contains the Presence which becomes the Resurrection for everyone.” San Diego – Lance Larson The Way of the Cross in San Diego began with the presence and blessing of the Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, Gilbert Chavez. He encouraged those present to go forth and be the face of Christ in the world, and then invited the entire St. Joseph’s Cathedral congregation attending the Good Friday Mass to join the procession, in which around 120 people participated. The attention to detail was evident in the choir, the readings, and silence amidst the great noise of the city. After the last station at the harbor, many of the participants expressed their gratitude and asked who had offered this gesture. Many wanted assurance that this would happen again next year. One man said he had never done anything so beautiful and so public in all his years as a Catholic. List of the 27 cities where the Way of the Cross was held Los Angeles, CA Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Washington, DC St. Petersburg, FL Chicago, IL Evansville, IN Jasper, IN Rensselaer, IN South Bend, IN Boston, MA Cumberland, MD Duluth, MN Rochester, MN St. Cloud, MN St. Louis, MO New York, NY Norman, OK Dayton, OH Steubenville, OH Salem, OR Philadelphia, PA Charleston, SC Aberdeen, SD Dallas, TX Houston, TX