Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Good Friday a 'grandly moving' day

Appleton Post-Crescent
Posted March 22, 2008

During Holy Week, Christians honor sacrifices of Jesus

By Cheryl Sherry
Post-Crescent staff writer

Christians around the world observed Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

In Rome, Pope Benedict XVI presided over the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum during a driving rainstorm, but did not carry the cross as planned during the tradition, which was dedicated this year to religious freedom.

The pope, who gripped the cross briefly at the end of the procession, blessed the crowd of thousands being drenched by the rain and buffeted by gusty winds and told them: "Thank you for being patient under the rain. Happy Easter to you."

"It's the day Christ died on the cross," the Rev. Dee Sim, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Menasha, said of Good Friday. Christ died for our sins so we would have new life in him. It is similar to the whole idea of baptism, she said.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:47 AM