This morning's (March 30) snow and cold temperatures forced a change in plans for the faithful who went to St. Paul's Catholic Parish for the annual Way of the Cross or Via Cruces.    

The walk which reenacts the last days of Jesus Christ, His death on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday, had to be held indoors at the church rather than winding its way through Nose Creek Park in Airdrie as has happened in previous years.  

Despite that disappointment, hundreds still turned out to celebrate the event at the church.  Brandon Lorenzo, who has portrayed Jesus for several years, says that number includes many from other churches.  

"There are a lot of different churches that join in.  I know for myself, I grew up in Calgary and I went to St. Thomas More parish and I've seen a lot of old parishioners from there that come out to ours because I find ours is a lot more emotional, a lot more real in the sense that we have live actors with  costumes versus just a procession with just the cross so there definitely is about 350 to 400 people from other parishes that come out and join us for the event."

Lorenzo describes playing the Saviour as a humbling experience.  "It's very emotional when you see Judas running in and trying to have Jesus released.  There is that sense of Jesus being beaten and Jesus suffering.  It's definitely a humbling experience being a part of it."

Sabrina Mbanta, who attends St. Paul's, talked about emotion and sacrifice when she described the experience of Via Cruces.

"To me, the sacrificial aspect of is a huge part of it because the whole thing about Lent is a sacrifice.  The emotional aspect is a huge thing to0.  People are able to fully understand and grasp what the beliefs of the Christian community are in terms of Lent and leading up to Good Friday and Easter."

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