Friday, April 22, 2011
CINCINNATI (AP) — The faithful observing Good Friday in Cincinnati are making a pilgrimage that’s celebrating its 150th year.
In a tradition known as “praying the steps,” Christians pray the rosary while ascending dozens of steps to Holy Cross-Immaculata Roman Catholic Church overlooking the Ohio River atop the city’s Mount Adams.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports crowds have made the climb to the church every Good Friday since 1861, after Immaculata opened. They had begun going up the hill to the church site two years earlier at the request of the archbishop, who wanted them to pray that construction would be completed.
The ritual symbolizes Christ’s punishing climb to crucifixion. There are 96 steps to the church from a road below. A longer ascent from the very bottom of the hill covers 470 steps.