Churches celebrate Good Friday with passion

The passion and death of Jesus Christ, a major event for Christians around the world, became very real Friday in Palatine and Arlington Heights.

Mision San Juan Diego's congregation organized a dramatic “Way of the Cross” procession from St. Thomas of Villanova school in Palatine the short distance to the church in Arlington Heights.

Martin Carrera portrayed Jesus, Erika Blanca his mother Mary, and Gustavo Rivera the lead soldier. All live in Palatine.

“I am very happy because all the community worked together to make this procession this Good Friday,” said Ignacio Martinez, who estimated thousands of people witnessed the procession.

Music and prayers accompanied the ceremony, which depicted the suffering of Christ as he carried the cross to which he was nailed to Golgotha outside Jerusalem.