Hundreds take part in Good Friday procession in Athlone
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Shane Lacey and Ian Lacey taking part in the procession.Image 2 of 7
Merlin Yesudas, Angeline Francis, Sona Sojy, Angel Savia Shaji, Rosemol Shoji and Albin Sabu from TUS at the Good Friday outdoor Stations of the Cross procession.Image 3 of 7
Artur Stopka carrying the cross at the Good Friday procession in Athlone. Photo: Paul Molloy.Image 4 of 7
Veronica O’ Neill remembering the late Terry O’Neill, Deirdre Moxham remembering the late Kathleen Hynes and Viano Agbanobi at the Good Friday outdoor Stations of the Cross procession through Athlone.Image 5 of 7
Deirdre Moxham, Sarah Seoige and Viano Agbanobi taking part in the Good Friday outdoor Stations of the Cross procession through Athlone.Image 6 of 7
Noel Breslin, Jackie Wykes, Joan Wykes Ryan, Joan Joyce and Monsignor John Roche.Image 7 of 7
Michael Farrell, Fr Innocent Sunu, Peter Devery, Fr John Eze, Fr John Deignan, Fr Patrick Murphy, Paddy Breen, Deacon Tony Larkin and Fr Joseph at the Good Friday outdoor Stations of the Cross procession through Athlone.by David Flynn
Over three hundred people walked through Athlone town as part of the annual Good Friday Stations of the Cross procession.
It was a step of departure for the faithful when they walked, west to east, contrary to the travel line of the Orange Loop in Church Street.
The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, commemorate Jesus's passion and death on the cross. There are fourteen stations, each depicting a moment on his journey to Calvary, which the faithful congregation respect with sacred pictures, hymn singing and prayers.
The Athlone pilgrims left the grounds of Ss Peter’s and Paul’s Church at 12 noon on Good Friday. They were made up of many people including family members of those who had died during the previous year, 2023/24.
Noel Breslin carried a picture of one of Stations of the Cross on the route.
“I carry a picture in the Stations nearly every year and this year, I’m carrying it for my late wife, Helen,” he said.
Noel’s late wife, Helen Breslin died in February 2024. Noel and Helen used to look after the grotto in John Paul Park. During the Covid-19 pandemic they, along with Helen’s cousin, Joan Wykes Ryan organised a nightly rosary in the carpark of the Fair Green. Noel currently organises a Men’s Rosary on the first Saturday of the month at 1pm.
“We’re hoping to get more men to join us,” he said.
Noel said that the Good Friday Stations of the Cross is “a lovely occasion,”.
“It brings the suffering of Christ as he went on his journey, the way of the Cross,” said Noel. “I’ve always had great faith, my mother was a very religious person and she drummed it into us when we were children and made sure we went to mass, and if we didn’t, she made sure we couldn’t go out for the rest of the day. That was the way.”
Fr John Deignan of Ss Peter’s and Paul’s church started the proceedings as the procession of the congregation started their pilgrimage from the church grounds.
There were many voices throughout the crowd singing religious hymns, most of which came from a bygone era. It begun with 'Amazing Grace', led by local singer, and Peter’s and Paul’s choir member, John Rushe.
The crowd took up most of the roadway of the town bridge, and some more joined, as they said various prayers along the journey.
The weather was beautiful for March 29, and the temperature was into double figures.
The beautifully sung hymns, which were performed on the day, brought memories to the congregation of days of their childhood in masses and other Catholic ceremonies. The memories of the recent dead of Athlone were constant in the minds of people making the journey west to east.
Hymns like 'Make Me a Channel of Your Peace' and 'Nearer My God to Thee' were played as the procession crossed the bridge.
The 'Lord is my Shepherd' was sung at the intersection of Northgate Street and Church Street, while the procession continued to head east.
'Soul of My Saviour' and 'Holy God We Praise Thy Name' was sung as they walked the journey. The congregation was supported by members of An Garda Síochána as they passed St Mary’s Church of Ireland on the left, and the entrance to St Anthony’s Friary on the right.
The final leg of the pilgrimage through Mardyke Street heard the popular hymn and ballad, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ sung. Lastly, as the Athlone pilgrimage came to an end in the grounds of St. Mary’s Catholic church, the sounds of ‘Abide With Me’ were heard.
St Mary’s parish priest, Fr Pat Murphy thanked everyone who turned up on the pilgrimage, especially the members of An Garda Síochána for their assistance on the journey.
Monsignor John Roche has a history of almost fifty years of mission work in Africa and has lived back in Athlone for a couple of years. He was at the Good Friday pilgrimage with friends and neighbours.
“To follow Jesus on this day for me is a story of love, I’ve always been amazed that this one man was able to walk this journey of love, for us, for all humanity, and for me to do this walk in my own town is very special to me,” said Monsignor Roche to the Westmeath Independent. “It’s the first time I walked here on Good Friday for many years, and usually I did it in Africa.
“It’s wonderful to see this crowd of people today, remembering the dead. We’ve all lost people we’ve known, and many people have lost more intimate relatives.
"It’s a beautiful thing for us to walk with that in mind and heart. For me it’s a special moment,” he remarked on Friday last.