NOLACatholics Observe Good Friday with Uniquely New Orleans Traditions

NEW ORLEANS, La. – As Catholics around the world prepare to for the holiest days of the liturgical year beginning tomorrow, April 13 with the observance of Holy Thursday and the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper, Catholics in New Orleans are preparing to observe Good Friday, April 14 this year, in some uniquely NOLACatholics ways. In addition to the traditional praying of the Stations of the Cross and Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross at all local Catholic churches, many locals will be participating in the traditional Nine Church Walk and finding unique places to pray the Stations of the Cross. All are welcome to join any of the events listed below:

Soles for Christ – sponsored by Center of Jesus the Lord: A traditional New Orleans nine church walk on Good Friday. The stations of the cross are portrayed by a live tableau presented by the Emile-Vincent Players. In 15 years, the Soles walk has grown to nearly 600 participants who travel the streets of New Orleans "Abound in Hope" to "Reclaim the city of New Orleans for the greater glory of God!". The walk begins at the Center of Jesus the Lord at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 1307 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana promptly at 7:45am. Walk concludes at 1:00pm at the Center of Jesus the Lord on Louisiana Ave.

Catholic Young Adult Ministry Good Friday Walk of the Nine Churches - Catholic young adults are invited to join in the Walk of the Nine Churches on Good Friday, April 14, 2017. During this walk, the group will pray the Stations of the Cross to reflect on the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Where to meet: St. Stephen Church (1025 Napoleon Ave.) at Time: 8:00 a.m. Look for a sign that says "Young Adult Ministry" , when facing the church to the right. The final stop will be at St. Louis Cathedral, with a goal of arriving by 12 pm.

Family Walk of the 9 Churches Sponsored by St. Pius X – Fr. Jonathan Hemelt, parochial vicar of St. Pius X Parish in New Orleans will lead pilgrims on foot, in wagons and strollers, through Uptown New Orleans for the traditional Walk of the Nine Churches. The nine churches will be: Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Alphonsus Church, St. Mary’s Assumption, St. Theresa of Avila, St. Patrick, Immaculate Conception (Jesuit Church), St. Louis Cathedral, and St. Pius X. The pilgrims will pray the Rosary and the walk includes 10 minutes of prayer time at each church.

Stations of the Cross at St. Roch Cemetery – a tradition upheld for many years, Fr. Anala, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea will lead the Stations of the Cross at St. Roch Cemetery at 10 am and again at 12 pm. All are welcome.

Ye Olde College Inn – All are welcome to pray the Scriptural Stations of the Cross at the Ye Olde College Inn Farm starting at 1:30pm. The service will be officiated by Fr. James Wehner, Rector of Notre Dame Seminary. Following the services, the group will recite the Rosary of the 7 Sorrows inside of College Inn. Reception to follow.

Good Friday at St. Louis Cathedral: Stations of the Cross will be held at noon, followed by confessions from 1 to 2:30 p.m. At 3 p.m., Archbishop Aymond will preside at the Passion of the Lord, including Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

Those wanting to create their own Walk of the Nine Churches can use this map from the Clarion Herald: http://clarionherald.info/clarion/images/good_friday/walk2017.pdf

For those needing more information about times and locations of Good Friday services at NOLACatholic parishes, go to nolacatholic.org and click on “Parishes and Mass Times” to find the contact information for area parishes.