San Juan Bautista Catholic Church to host 40th annual Way of the Cross procession

Diego Segura is preparing to carry a cross through Lancaster city streets on Good Friday, the most solemn day of the Christian calendar.

Segura is portraying Jesus in San Juan Bautista Catholic Church’s annual Way of the Cross procession on March 29.

“It’s my first time playing the role of Jesus,” the 15-year-old Manheim Township High School student said. “I’ve been reading the Bible and praying more throughout the day. I want to strengthen my faith and my beliefs in the process.”

Segura said he feels honored to have been chosen for the role.

“It’s not an opportunity many people get in their lives, so I hope to inspire other people, especially those who are my age, to come closer to God, see his true glory and appreciate everything he has done for us,” Segura said.

The 40th annual Good Friday event begins at noon March 29 from the 425 S. Duke St. church's parking lot and will make six stops over a 20-block area in the city’s southeast. A reflection of the Seven Last Words will be held at 7 p.m. at the church.

“We invite the community to keep and maintain our Christian roots on Good Friday during the live Via Crucis,” the Rev. Luis R. Rodriguez said. “The event is an expression of gratitude to God for the sacrifice of Jesus. It is Hispanic faith and culture that we are committed to maintaining and celebrating with solemnity.”

READ: San Juan Bautista church to mark Good Friday with Way of the Cross procession, Liturgical service

Organizer Glenda Torres said the focus of the procession is to help people strengthen their faith.

“This is a call to the community,” Torres said. “We want to help bring people closer to God and strengthen their faith. For the young people who are involved in it, this will be their testimony to the community.”

For 16-year-old Lancaster Catholic High School student Kimberly Rojas, playing the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, was not an easy decision.

“I thought I was too timid, inexperienced and therefore incapable of playing such an intimate role, but part of me felt I could not reject this opportunity,” Rojas said.

Meanwhile, Morelia Salazar, 15, who will portray Mary Magdalene, hopes that Jesus’ sacrifice of forgiveness truly opens the spectators’ hearts and minds.

“Especially if they don’t know or have stepped away from God. I hope that it touches them in a positive way,” the Hempfield High School student said.

About 50 volunteers, most ages 6 through 50, including the cast, wardrobe assistants, choir, and sound coordinators, will be a part of the procession.

“We have been super blessed. We didn’t need to ask people to help us, they approached us about being a part of this year’s procession. We just want to share our faith and tell everyone that we are here with open doors to receive them,” Torres said.

The cast includes Melquis Escalante and Leniel Lozada as the two thieves, Christian Contreras as the apostle John, Freddy González as Barabbas, Carlos Javier Torres as Joseph of Arimathea, Modesto Caraballo as Simon of Cyrene, Juan Maldonado as Peter the apostle, Rafy Gálvez as Judas and José Iguina as Pontius Pilate.

“Pontius Pilate made the decision to hand him (Jesus) over to death without considering how it would affect the lives of other people. From this we can learn how our decisions can affect the lives of other people,” Iguina, 58, said.

Other cast members include Aracelis Torres, Jenny Coy, Angel Valentín, Juan Carlos Barrera, Martín Rodríguez, Luis Facio, Luis Solís, Edwin Lizardi, Israel Pérez, José Pacheco, Christopher Salazar, Luis Moreno Ortiz, Alberto Vargas, José Garza, Juan Vázquez, Luis Gálvez, Eric Asso, Sebastián Pacheco, Jordan Solís, Anthony Pérez, Leonardo Pérez, Mateo Contreras, Jael Alejandro Soriano and Messiah Tapia.

Sal Duprey Vázquez, Angélica León, Rosalee Ortiz, Nieves Hernández, Carmen Corniel, Otilia Garza, and Roberto López Adrián will read the meditations at every stop along the procession route. Vocalist Karen Rodríguez will direct the music.