Salt Lake City's Annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross

This interfaith walk transforms the urban landscape into a communal 'Way of the Cross'

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:37pm

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For over 40 years, the streets of downtown Salt Lake City have served as a prayerful stage for the annual Procession of the Cross on Good Friday. Members of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and other local congregations symbolically retrace Jesus' final steps through the city's heart, taking turns carrying a heavy wooden cross and pausing for scripture and song at various churches before concluding at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

Why it matters

This interfaith walk is a significant part of 'Holy Week' in Utah, serving as a solemn buildup to the joy of Easter Sunday. The ritual is a physical manifestation of Good Friday's deep sorrow and quiet reflection, allowing the public to witness and participate in a shared act of devotion.

The details

Participants begin the procession at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, pausing for scripture and song at the First Presbyterian Church, Crossroads Urban Center, and First United Methodist Church before concluding at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral. The procession symbolizes Jesus' walk to crucifixion ('Via Dolorosa') and promotes unity among different Christian faiths.

  • The annual interfaith Good Friday Procession of the Cross has taken place in Salt Lake City for over 40 years.
  • The most recent procession occurred on Friday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Cathedral of the Madeleine

A Catholic cathedral in Salt Lake City that organizes the annual Good Friday procession.

Jay Mitchell

A participant who carried the cross during the 2026 procession.

Brooke Austin

A participant who carried the cross during the 2026 procession.

The Very Rev. Christopher Gray

The dean of the Cathedral of the Madeleine who read a Passover Scripture during the 2026 procession.

Bill Tibbitts

The deputy executive director of Crossroads Urban Center who led the group in prayer during the 2026 procession at the center.

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What’s next

The Utah Legislature has designated Good Friday as a state holiday beginning in 2027, further solidifying the significance of the annual Procession of the Cross in Salt Lake City.

The takeaway

The Procession of the Cross is a longstanding tradition that brings together diverse Christian congregations in Salt Lake City to commemorate Good Friday and the crucifixion of Jesus. This ritual serves as a solemn and unifying observance of Holy Week, allowing the community to collectively reflect on the weight of Christ's sacrifice.