Poor weather forces Waukegan's Via Crucis inside
More than 1,500 worshippers jammed Most Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Waukegan for the traditional Via Crucis drama on Good Friday.
Typically held outside before crowds reaching 3,000, the “Living Stations of the Cross” moved inside because of inclement weather. Plans had called for a neighborhood procession, ending with Jesus' crucifixion at the church.
Dozens of Most Blessed Trinity volunteers started planning Via Crucis in January. Andres Colon, 21, of Waukegan, a villain the past seven years, performed as Jesus for the first time.
Some worshippers were so moved by the presentation, they cried. Colon suffered visible marks on his body after he was lashed with leather whips by actors portraying soldiers.
Colon said portraying Jesus was an emotional experience. He's expected to be Jesus in Most Blessed Trinity's Via Crucis pageants for the next two or three years. The pageants are performed in Spanish.
“It's an unexplainable feeling,” Colon said after the realistic re-enactment. “You do your best to be the best. The point is to give a message that Jesus Christ died for us.”
Jesus died by order of Pontius Pilate, who was played by Victor Pedroza, 28, of Waukegan. Through an interpreter, Pedroza said being Pilate reminded him of making daily decisions without knowing if they are right or wrong.
“It's difficult,” Pedroza said.
Stations of the Cross dates to the 13th century and offers a way for Catholics and Christians of other denominations to remember the final hours of Jesus' life on Good Friday. It was the 21st year for the Via Crucis drama at Most Blessed Trinity, just north of Keller Avenue and Belvidere Road.
Many would-be worshippers couldn't get inside the church, which was packed with an estimated crowd of more than 1,500 for the performance. Parking was at a premium in the neighborhood.
Waukegan police posted special no-parking signs on Keller and several other streets near Most Blessed Trinity. Several visitors who were forced to park on muddy church property found themselves stuck when they tried to depart.
Last year, decent weather allowed Via Crucis to be performed outside. Cardinal Francis George gave the homily to help mark the 20th anniversary.