FOR the second year in a row, the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa has canceled its annual Good Friday events, including the procession and prayer service on Mt. Tapochau, Rev. Fr. Jason Granado said.
The pastor of San Jose Parish Church, Granado said the diocese had been announcing the cancelation over the past few weeks so parishioners are already aware of it.
When the events were first canceled last year, he noted that the island was under strict public health protocols — even Sunday Masses had to be held online.
The priest said the diocese continues to work closely with the Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral on Good Friday, the Seven Last Words in English will start at 12 noon; the Stations of the Cross in Chamorro at 1 p.m.; the Divine Mercy in English at 2 p.m.; and the Passion of the Lord at 3 p.m.
On Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil starts at 7 p.m. On Easter Sunday, the English Mass starts at 9 a.m., the Filipino Mass at 11 a.m. and another English Mass at 5 p.m.
Each year, on Good Friday, it has been the tradition of Catholic devotees to take part in an early morning procession to the peak of Mount Tapochao, the island’s highest point.
The procession’s main feature is a 30-foot long ironwood cross that will be carried by the faithful on a dirt road to the top of the mountain.
Hundreds of devotees participate in the annual Good Friday trek, one of the island’s iconic traditions.
This year, Variety learned that many Catholics plan to walk to the top of the mountain early in the morning, and say their Good Friday prayers.
A devotee removes the ropes from the wooden cross erected on Mount Tapochao on Good Friday, April 3, 2015.
Variety file photo
