The Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa (AVPP) encouraged the Catholic faithfuls in the city to join the Penitential Via Crucis on Good Friday at 4:00 a.m. to commemorate the life and sacrifices of Jesus Christ during the Holy Week.
JR Palanca Golifardo, a coordinator of the event, said the procession will be participated in by devotees on barefoot that will visit the 14 stations.
“Magkakaroon ng tinatawag natin na barefoot procession so itong mga kasama sa prusisyon ay nakayapak tapos iikot sa mga istasyon, sa 14 stations para magnilay, gunitain ‘yong labing-apat na istasyon ng pagpapahirap kumbaga ito yong pagsisimula ng tinatawag na pagpapasakit,” he said.
The Church is encouraging the youth to also participate in the procession as well as those who are sick.
The “White Nazarene” of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral (ICC) will be processioned, Golifardo said.
The White Nazarene is only processioned during the Feast of Nazarene and the Good Friday, he added.
Golifardo said the procession is not merely a tradition but “a way of commemorating the sacrifices of the Lord.”
The Holy Week is a preparation for the Easter day or the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he pointed out
“We discourage naman ‘yong mga mananampalataya natin na may sakit, na may asthma na magyapak. ‘Yong may mga diabetes, iniiwasan din natin na magkaroon sila ng mga komplikasyon, ayon ay naiintindihan naman ng Panginoon. Pero ‘yong mga kaya na magyapak, we encourage na magyayapak talaga tayo,” he added.
The route of the procession will start from the Cathedral to Taft, Roxas, and Manalo streets and will turn to Lacao then straight to Rizal Avenue back to the church.
On Good Friday there will be a commemoration of the life and sacrifices of Jesus Christ.
There will also be a procession of the Santo Entierro or the image of the dead Christ at 6:00 in the afternoon from the Cathedral.
