Day of tribute
Community members gather at cathedral for Good Friday service
Mirror photo by Alicia Chiang Congregants attend the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion service at The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Good Friday.
Mirror photo by Alicia Chiang Bishop Mark L. Bartchak carries a large wooden cross down the center aisle of the church.
Mirror photo by Alicia Chiang Congregants attend the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion service at The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Good Friday.
Mirror photo by Alicia Chiang Congregants attend the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion service at The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Good Friday.
Mirror photo by Alicia Chiang Bishop Mark L. Bartchak carries a large wooden cross down the center aisle of the church.
Mirror photo by Alicia Chiang Congregants attend the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion service at The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Good Friday.
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While Good Friday is not one of the days Catholics are obligated to observe, it is for many families like Virginia Dumm's.
"It was (an obligation) at our house. You do what your mother told ya," Dumm said.
Dumm's daughter, Carolyn Dumm, was baptized in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and has attended "almost every Sunday service" since she was born.
Carolyn said Good Friday is her favorite service because it gives a tribute toward the Lord for the sacrifice that he made for people's sins.
Community members gathered Friday to commemorate the Lord's Passion and pray for Jesus's crucifixion.
"Good Friday is the most solemn day of the liturgical year, marking the day that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world," Tony DeGol, secretary for communications of Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, said. "It is the one day of the year when the Mass is not celebrated in the Catholic Church."
On Good Friday, the church is much more simplistic. The altar and sanctuary area are "made plain" after the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday evening. There is no Eucharist.
The service began in silence followed by scripture reading, including the Passion of the Lord. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak delivered a homily. Fewer songs than usual were sung.
"The service is very subdued," DeGol said.
Bartchak carried the large wooden cross that is displayed in the cathedral throughout the Lenten season on his shoulder and walked up the center aisle to the front of the church, symbolizing Jesus's journey to Mount Calvary.
Then, line by line, people came forward and quietly venerated the wooden cross. Some simply bowed or kneeled in front of it. Others touched or kissed the cross in adoration.
Brady Frants drove from Tyrone to join the service. He said he's a "resurrection person" and believes in resurrection through Jesus Christ.
"I like to place a kiss on the wood of the cross and remember what Jesus did for me 2,000 years ago. It's pretty incredible," Frants said.
Another attendee, Justin Trybus, said he has come to this particular service all his life.
"It's something I do to continue to honor my family," Trybus said.
Mirror Staff Writer Alicia Chiang is at 814-946-7428.