The traditional Lenten devotion of re-enacting Christ’s journey to Calvary Hill comes alive in Riverhead Sunday on the grounds of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
The Way of the Cross will feature between 30 and 40 parishioners who will interpret each of the steps in the journey Jesus took to his crucifixion on Good Friday, North Fork Spanish Apostolate director Sister Margaret Smyth said.
“Seeing it makes it more real for people to follow in their faith,” she said. “It’s a confirmation of Christ.”
In past years, a live Way of the Cross had been performed in Greenport on the streets surrounding St. Agnes Church, but this year Smith opted to do it in Riverhead.
“We have a big congregation here and this is a great way to make Christ real in people’s lives,” she said.
St. John the Evangelist has a devoted Latino congregation, primarily from Central and South America, where Catholicism is very strong and Smyth said that their faith has strengthened the church.
Anywhere from 600 to 800 people attend Sunday Mass at St. John’s every week, Smyth said, something that is also true of other churches in the area, such as the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Westhampton, St. Agnes’ in Greenport and the Church of St. Rosalie in Hampton Bays.
Edin Lopez, a faith leader in the Immaculate Conception Church in Westhampton —whose congregation will go this year to do the “Via Crucis” or Way of the Cross to the Shrine of the Lady of the Island — said that Holy Week is very important in the Latino community, even when they are not active, practicing Catholics.
“Good Friday, Holy Week and Easter are traditions that go beyond faith for us,” Lopez said. “So for those of us who believe, it takes an even more important meaning.”
Smyth, who coordinates and puts together the reenactment, said that parishioners have been rehearsing for over two months for the live event.
“There is a lot that goes into this, but it will be very nice to see it come together,” Smyth said.
Actors will be dressed in brand-new costumes and decorations, such as flowers and candles, will mark the way of the different stations, Smyth said.
After the event, a Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion in Spanish will follow at 6 p.m.
The live Stations of the Cross will start at 4 p.m and is a free, public event. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church is located at 546 St Johns Place in Riverhead.
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