La Via Dolorosa...

Shortly before 9:00 am on Good Friday, a mass is held in one of the Catholic churches that is a block away from the Cathedral.  At 9:00, the processional begins to leave the church, recreating the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering.

Leading the way is Jesus, carrying a cross.  Jesus is also accompanied by several "little Jesuses" -- young boys (5-7 years old) -- who are also carrying crosses and wearing crowns of thorns.

Jesus at the front of the processional.

Jesus is followed by several priests and altar boys.  A few of them have the incense burners.

Near the front of the processional.

Then comes the cardinal.  He is singing, and leading the people in singing.  He also stops at many of the alfombras and blesses them -- if the group that created them has paid for them to be blessed.  If the alfombra is blessed, the whole group following will walk over the alfombra, which of course ruins it in no time.  But that is part of the sacrifice.

Leading singing and then blessing various alfombras.

Next comes the big float.  There's no other word for it, really.  That's what it is.

This float came out of the church doors that are in the background.

It takes a while to get the float out of the church, safely under the power wires and then maneuvering a turn.

Making the turn amidst all the people.

They use a pole to slightly lift the power wires.

A marching band follows behind the float.  It always sounds eerily like the band in the wedding scene in The Godfather when Michael Corleone is in Sicily and gets married.  A somber march.    As the whole procession passes by, onlookers and tourists will get in line and become part it.  They will stop at each of the stations of the cross and there will be recreations of the scenes depicted.

Getting ready for the 2nd station of the cross.

Another station.

If the cardinal blesses the alfombra, he and the entire group will walk over the carpet as they proceed.  If it is not blessed, the cardinal and entourage walk on one side or the other of it.  Only the float will walk over it since that's unavoidable.

This is an example of when the bishop does not walk on the carpet.

 After the procession passes, many people will reach down and scoop up or pick up some of the remaining sawdust.

One of these years, I'd like to actually help make an alfombra.  I'm sure it's a bit of a party atmosphere out there.