'In our suffering we find meaning': Christians gather on Good Friday

“Camina!” the men dressed as Roman soldiers in red capes and silver helmets shouted in Spanish at another who depicted a long-haired Jesus wearing a white robe. “Walk!”

“Jesus” continued along the streets surrounding St. John of God Roman Catholic Church in Central Islip on Friday, falling as he carried a huge cross, receiving the embrace of a woman depicting his mother, Mary, and finally being “nailed” to the cross.

Some 500 people gathered for the Good Friday procession, which was a live re-enactment of Jesus' final day and took place for the first time in three years after the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down.

It was a welcome return to a cherished ritual that is highly popular among the Latino faithful who make up the majority of St. John of God’s congregation.

“We are very happy because … during the pandemic it was like we were in the tomb,” said the Rev. Daniel Rivera, pastor of St. John of God and a native of El Salvador. “And now it’s time to really resurrect with Christ in our devotions. It really brings us together to celebrate the faith and especially to contemplate the mystery of Christ.”

The bilingual event in Central Islip was one of many that took place across Long Island as Christians were able to resume the Stations of the Cross, or Via Crucis in Latin.

The events recall Jesus' condemnation to death 2,000 years ago, his journey to Calvary carrying the cross, his betrayal by Judas, his crucifixion and his death. At the end, he is placed in a tomb.

The faithful believe that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, the most important day on the Christian calendar.

Live Stations of the Cross events also took place Friday at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury and at St. Hugh of Lincoln Roman Catholic Church in Huntington Station.

Some of the faithful at St. John of God said they were thrilled to be back at the event after its cancellation during the pandemic.

“This is a very special moment for all of us in the Catholic community,” said Veronica Gonzalez, 66, of Central Islip, who said she has been attending the event for 34 years.

“It kind of revives our faith and we can experience a little of what Jesus went through."

She said she had canceled all activities for the day and was focused only on God and Jesus.

Her son, Ricardo Gonzalez, 40, said he was visiting from Florida and that the event took on extra significance given the pandemic and other struggles going on in the world.

“During these times we have to come together as a community,” he said.

Dianne Mills, of Islip, said she is not Hispanic but comes to the event each year it is held because it gives her solace.

“I love this celebration,” Mills said. It helps her reflect on “the pain we suffer as women, and the forgiveness we get” through the church.

St. John of God “is my place,” she said. “I feel more at peace when I am here.”

Rivera, who took over as pastor last June, said the Stations of the Cross struck a deep feeling with many of the faithful. They “come because we all suffer, and in our suffering we find meaning in the sufferings of Christ,” he said.