Good Friday

Flagellation and Crowning of Thorns

Instead of the Via Dolorosa packed with crowds and police controlling the flow of pilgrims making the Way of the Cross ... the street is empty except for a couple of police. It's a terrible sight. It's raining and it had been raining all night ... it's very cold ... about 10 degrees ... everything seems so gloomy. But it does give an atmosphere of Good Friday. Sombre, dark ... as if the whole world has stopped.

Living at the Flagellation and Condemnation chapels, today's liturgy starts here. We here are obliged to pray on behalf of the whole world since the world cannot come to visit. It's a heavy responsibility. But we will fulfil it.

Here are some photos of the Flagellation and Condemnation chapels ... the 1st and 2nd Stations of the Cross. Let the images speak to you.

Mary meets Jesus

Ecce Homo

Jesus carries the cross

Crown of thorns on the dome

Jesus is condemned

Condemnation chapel