About a thousand Cochranites came out to walk "The Way of Cross" in downtown Cochrane on Good Friday, April 8.
The Way of the Cross commemorates the last day of Jesus' life by walking through 12 stations which mark significant biblical events leading up to his ultimate crucifixion and death. At each station those who came were asked to pause and pray, followed by a collective hymn as they walked to the next station. A large wooden cross, emblematic of the one Jesus carried through Jerusalem, was passed from carrier to carrier at each station stop.
At the end of the walk, the cross was deposited at the Cochrane Cenotaph and draped in a purple cloth signifying Jesus in death in the tomb prior to his resurrection. After being deposited, believers were invited to come forward and have a personal moment of reflection and prayer with the cross.
The event was organized by 11 local Christian communities, including All Saints Anglican, Bow Valley Baptist, Bragg Creek Community, Cochrane Alliance, Cowboy Trail, Impact Church, King's Gate, Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, St. Andrew's United, St. Mary's Catholic and St. Peter's Lutheran. The Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre was also listed as a co-organizer.
Good Friday, which marks what is called the Passion of the Christ, is one of the holiest days of the year among Christian denominations and a significant part of the Easter Feast, which marks the day in Christian belief where Jesus becomes God. Easter takes place this Sunday, April 20.
