Faithful gather in Saskatoon for Good Friday procession 

(Carla Shynkaruk/CTV News)

About 200 faithful gathered in downtown Saskatoon on Good Friday to participate in the traditional Way of the Cross procession, a solemn Christian devotion commemorating the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The walk is put on by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

The event began at 10 a.m. on Spadina Crescent, where clergy, parishioners, and members of the local community came together in prayer and reflection.

The procession moved through the streets, pausing at 14 designated stations representing key moments from Christ’s path en route to his crucifixion and burial. The walk culminated on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Each station featured readings from Scripture, meditations, hymns, and prayers led by local church leaders and community members. A wooden cross was carried from station to station.

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This year holds special significance according to organizer Myron Rogal because it’s the year of hope.

“So, all of the stations bring a story of hope and how they work together with many people who society decides to ignore at different times. And they are doing out God’s work by working with these people,” Rogal told CTV News.

Groups represented this year include the Salvation Army and St. Paul’s Hospital.

“When you put in the effort to stand out here, most years it’s colder – standing out here in the cold and doing these stations and thinking about those who are suffering – that says something. It’s not just like throwing a teaching out there,” Julie Le Blanc with the Development and Peace group said.

The Way of the Cross is a centuries-old tradition observed by Christians around the world during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday. In recent years, it has also become a time to reflect on modern-day suffering and injustice, drawing connections between the Passion of Christ and contemporary social issues.