The 48th Annual LIVE Pilsen Via Crucis (Good Friday Walk) w/lunch
Details
**NEW MEET LOCATION! PER ORGANIZERS, WE NOW MEET AT THE CORNER OF WEST 18TH STREET & SOUTH HALSTED STREET. APPROX ADDRESS IS 799 W. 18TH STREET, JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION- PROVIDENCE OF GOD CHURCH (717 W. 18TH STREET). IF YOU GO TO THE ORIGINAL SPOT, THEN JUST WALK DOWN THE BLOCK TO HALSTED & 18TH ST., AND YOU WILL SEE THE OUTDOOR STAGE. CALL ME 312.835.4259 IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE GROUP**
To celebrate a longstanding tradition, hundreds of Catholics gather along 18th Street for Good Friday in Pilsen. I have seen this very moving event in the past several years and found it very inspiring. Whether you are religious or not, this is something to see in person for the photo opportunities alone!! I do not know the exact timeline of each piece of the Living Way of the Cross so plan about 2.5 hours if you want to watch the whole thing. We might not stay for the entire event but will try to do most of it and end with lunch in Pilsen! NOTE WE WILL BE MAINLY WALKING OUTDOORS WITH THE CROWD FOLLOWING THE PROCESSION. DRESS ACCORDINGLY! THE WALK IS ABOUT 1.5 - 2 MILES.
Lots of photo opportunities but keep it light as we need to walk a lot & walk fast to get ahead of the crowd to get the best shots. We may go up on the pink line station bridge to grab some overhead views!
Itinerary (locations subject to change):
Start: Providence of God Church 717 W 18th St · Chicago, IL 60608 (Last supper reenactment)
Middle: Harrison Park 1824 S Wood St, Chicago, IL 60608 (Crucifixion reenactment)
End: St. Adalbert’s 1650 W 17th St, Chicago, IL 60608 (Closing Prayer Service)
Lunch - if one place is packed, we will go to another place listed below:
- 5 Rabanitos 1758 W 18th St,
- Pochos 1727 W 18th St,
- Taqueria Los Comales 1544 W 18th St,
- Frida Room 1454 W 18th St,
THEY DO THIS EVENT RAIN OR SHINE BUT IF IT IS VERY COLD OR RAINING HARD, THEN I WILL CANCEL. IT IS TOO MUCH OUTDOORS TO BE COLD & WET!
IF YOU DRIVE THE PROCESSION DOES NOT END WHERE WE START SO YOU WILL HAVE TO WALK BACK TO YOUR CAR. YOU MAY WANT TO PARK TOWARDS THE END OR SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN!
The 47th Annual of the Living Way of the Cross (aka Pilsen Via Crucis) will reenact several scenes of Jesus Christ’s final days along a procession route that begins in the basement at Providence of God, 717 W. 18th St., at 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 29th with the Last Supper reenactment.
The Pilsen Via Crucis procession will then head westbound on 18th Street before arriving at Harrison Park at 18th and Wood, where organizers will reenact Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
The procession will then head to St. Adalbert's Catholic Church, 1650 W. 17th St., for a final prayer ahead of Easter Sunday. We will finish the event at St. Adalbert's (last stop may change since St Adalbert's is now closed) but we do not usually stay for the prayer service. We usually pull off at Harrison Park. Then will head over for lunch nearby to get in before the big crowds!
The stations re-enactments, an annual Good Friday tradition, consists of live scenes representing the day before Jesus Christ was crucified, each marked with crosses along procession routes. Pilsen’s Via Crucis has been held since 1977.
The Pilsen Via Crucis-Living Way of the Cross, is an annual tradition that has taken place every Good Friday since March 28, 1977. Participants of this graphic, live re-enactment, begin at 18th Street and Union, at Providence of God Church and interpret the Last Supper, prayer at Gethsemane and Jesus before Pilate. Participants then process along 18th street for the Crucifixion, located at Harrison Park, 18th and Wood.
The final stop is at St. Adalbert Church for the closing reflection.
This event appeals to thousands of Pilsen community members, many who follow the Stations of the Cross procession along 18th Street yearly, rain or shine
https://www.facebook.com/Pilsen-Via-Crucis-743104822409528
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/04/19/pilsens-via-crucis-brings-people-together-on-good-friday/
After the procession, some of us will grab lunch at one of the nearby restaurants in the area. These places do not take reservations so we will go where the most seats are available!
5 Rabanitos 1758 W. 18th Street
https://5rabanitos.com/
Pochos 1727 W 18th St
www.pochoschicago.com
Taqueria Los Comales 1544 W 18th St.
https://www.loscomales.com/
Frida Room 1454 W 18th St.
https://thefridaroom.com/
If you are taking public transportation, please check their website for directions or use google maps or CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If driving there is metered street parking along Halsted, 19th Street & side streets are free but pay attention to parking signs especially permit parking. NO PARKING ON 18TH STREET DURING THE PROCESSION!
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!