Hoboken Clergy Joins Together in Good Friday Pilgrimage

For some Hobokenites it was just a nice free day to sit in the sunshine. For others, it marked one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar: Good Friday. 

Roughly 50 people marched through the streets of Hoboken to seven different churches Friday afternoon, singing hymns along the way. The procession was led by Executive Director of the Jubilee Center Michelle White. 

All Saints Episcopal Church Reverend Geoff Curtiss said he was happy to see so many people come out. He said he was especially happy to get together with members of other churches in town ("mix it up with each other"). The different churches often partner and do community service together, Curtiss said. 

Curtiss has been marching in the pilgrimage for 20 years, but he said he still remembers the first time he participated. And although it has become more common after all these years, he said he still enjoys seeing the looks on people's faces when the crowd walks by. 

"It's not just a regular Friday in the life of Hoboken," he said. 

On Good Friday, Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It's also the Friday preceding Easter, when Jesus' resurrection is celebrated. 

One of the stops on the way was the chapel at Hoboken University Medical Center, where White delivered a sermon.  

"Life is difficult in the 21st century," White said. "We are right here, suspended with Jesus." 

From the chapel, the crowd moved to the next of seven locations, Our Lady of Grace Church on 4th and Willow. The pilgrimage started at noon at All Saints Episcopal Church and ended around 2:30 p.m. at St. Matthew Trinity. 

Jeremy Mikola, 26, and Simon Buffler, 36, participated in the pilgrimage. They know each other because they both attend weekly services at Hoboken Grace Community Church. For both it was the first time participating in the two-decade old tradition. 

"It's significant to have a presence in the community," said Mikola, who has lived in Hoboken since 2001 and attended Stevens Institute of Technology. 

Buffler, who is originally from South Africa but has lived in Hoboken for five years, agreed. 

The pilgrimage shows "the community that there are people who care about Good Friday," Buffler said. "It's good to have public display."