Thousands of Christians in Gulu City took to the streets in a solemn Way of the Cross procession on Good Friday, culminating in a powerful sermon by Fr. Charles Ray Ocan of Holy Rosary Parish, who urged believers to surrender their struggles to Christ.
“Let us bring our weaknesses to the Lord and let Him nail them to the cross today,” Fr. Ocan proclaimed, addressing a sea of faithful who had walked for hours under the scorching sun, reenacting the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary.
The annual Way of the Cross procession, a central part of Good Friday observances, drew participants from across the city and surrounding areas. Carrying wooden crosses, singing hymns, and stopping at various stations for prayer and reflection, the faithful retraced the suffering of Christ in a deeply symbolic act of devotion.
This year’s procession began in the early morning hours, winding through major streets of Gulu City before culminating at Holy Rosary Parish and along the route, participants paused at designated stations representing key moments in Christ’s journey His condemnation, falls, and eventual crucifixion.
Fr. Ocan, who led the final reflections, delivered a sermon that resonated strongly with both young and old, calling for introspection and spiritual renewal.
“We walk today not just to remember what happened to Jesus but to reflect on our own lives. Each step we take should remind us of the burdens we carry and our willingness to let them go,” he said.
He emphasised that the cross is not merely a symbol of suffering, but also of liberation and transformation.
“Too often, we hold onto our weaknesses, our sins, our fears, our anger as if they define us,” he said but Christ invites us today to lay them down and when He was nailed to the cross, He carried all our burdens. Why should we continue carrying what He has already taken upon Himself?” he said.
The priest’s message struck a chord among the faithful, many of whom expressed a sense of spiritual release during the procession.
“I felt like I was walking with Jesus, and when the priest said we should nail our weaknesses to the cross, it made me think about the things I need to change in my life,” said Peter Okello, a resident of Gulu who participated in the event.
For others, the procession was not only a religious obligation but also a communal experience that brought people together in faith and reflection.
“This is something we look forward to every year and it reminds us of the love of Christ and gives us strength to face our challenges,” said Grace Acan, another participant.
Fr. Ocan also used the occasion to address broader societal issues, urging Christians to extend the message of the cross beyond personal struggles to the wider community.
“Our society is wounded, and we see injustice, violence, and suffering all around us. As Christians, we are called not just to pray, but to act—to be agents of change, to bring hope where there is despair,” he said.
He called on leaders, families, and young people to embrace values of forgiveness, humility, and compassion, noting that true transformation begins within individuals.
“If we truly nail our weaknesses to the cross today and then we must also rise with Christ in a new way of life, one that reflects His love and mercy,” he said.
The Way of the Cross in Gulu City has grown over the years into one of the most significant religious events in the region, attracting large crowds and fostering a sense of unity among believers.
Religious leaders say such events are especially important in times of social and economic uncertainty, offering people an opportunity to reconnect with their faith and find meaning in their struggles.
As the procession concluded, the faithful gathered in silence for the veneration of the cross, a moment of deep reverence where individuals approached the crucifix to kneel, touch, or kiss it in a gesture of devotion.
For many, the experience was both physically demanding and spiritually uplifting.
“It’s not easy to walk for so long but it’s worth it. It helps you understand even a little of what Jesus went through,” said one participant.
Fr. Ocan ended his sermon with a message of hope, reminding the faithful that Good Friday is not the end, but a passage to new life.
“The cross is heavy, yes, but it leads to resurrection. Today we surrender, tomorrow we rise,” he said.
As Gulu City marked Good Friday with prayer, sacrifice, and reflection, the message from Holy Rosary Parish lingered in the hearts of many a call to let go, to trust, and to embrace the promise of renewal.
For the thousands who walked the Way of the Cross, Fr. Ocan’s words offered not just a message, but a challenge: to leave behind their burdens at the foot of the cross and step forward into a transformed life.
