CV NEWSFEED // The Knights of Columbus are set to carry out their annual tradition of bringing the Via Crucis to life once more this week.
According to a recent news release, the Knights have organized a live reenactment of the Via Crucis, “Way of the Cross,” at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist Council 17254 since 2019. The cast and crew of the production includes 120 Knights and their family members.
“Preparations for each year’s performance begin as soon as the previous year’s event ends,” the release stated. “Organizers must file for permits to close streets and request police presence along the half-mile route months in advance.”
Attendance for Via Crucis has doubled every year since 2021 according to the Cathedral’s rector, Msgr Geno Sylva, who noted the significance of the Knights’ role in drawing people to Christ through the production.
The Knights’ mission, he stated in the release, “is to reach out to everyone and invite them… so they can come here to receive the highest form of grace the world will ever know: the Eucharist.”
In the past, the event had been put on in the parish gym, and hardly drew more than 900 people. However, when Msgr Sylva arrived in 2018, he decided to expand the production, in “service to the cathedral’s—and Paterson’s—large Hispanic community,” transforming it to the large-scale public procession it is today.
The production includes a mile-long procession and alternates between English and Spanish in recognition of the Hispanic community in Paterson, which makes up 63% of the population.
“Many Latino countries — Peru, the Dominican Republic, Mexico — are part of the faith community here at the cathedral,” said Bishop Kevin Sweeny of Paterson. “And they are helping the entire city of Paterson to pray together and walk with Jesus on this Good Friday.”
Last year’s Via Crucis production cost approximately $6,000 to put on, though the release noted it would have been “much more” without help it received from the New Jersey State Council and other generous benefactors.
The post Knights of Columbus set to bring its annual Via Crucis to life again this week appeared first on CatholicVote org.