I had seen in the bulletin for Saint Sernin that there was a Stations of the Cross on Good Friday where the congregation processed from Saint Jerome to Saint Sernin through the heart of Toulouse. I had never participated in something like that so thought it would be a good wait to experience Good Friday here in Toulouse. I usually go to the Good Friday service at St. Paul’s in Alexandria but the Episcopal church does not do stations of the cross so it is not something I had experienced previously.

I did not know what to expect so went over to St. Jerome’s a little early which I am glad that I did as it soon filled up and it was standing room only. It was a mixed group of people, young and old, native French and immigrants and about a couple of hundred people at least.

After brief music and introductory prayers, a group of priests or seminarians, not sure exactly, picked up a large cross of about ten feet tall and four feet across and led a procession out of the church and into the streets. The congregation of the church and others who had waited outside followed the cross and procession. There are 14 stations and at each station, at each station the procession would stop and there would be prayers and readings. The congregation knew the prayers and responses and even some of the chants that were sung as we progressed. At each station, the congregation would kneel on the street briefly.

The final part of the procession was at the doors of Saint Sernin. After that the cross was carried into the basilica and if you wanted you could go to confession or sit in contemplative prayer. I sat for a little while.

It was very impressive to see a large public display of faith by such a variety of people. It gives you a feeling of belonging to something much larger.

Some other observations, I believe Good Friday is a national holiday in France so there were lots of people out and about doing shopping, enjoying the cafe lifestyle or just enjoying a beautiful day. Since the procession went through the shopping area, the main square and down busy streets, it caused some disruption in the city. There were times when people not involved wanted to cross from one side of where they were to the other and so the people in the procession would part so those people could get through. There were many people who stopped to watch the procession. Some of the cafe patrons made comments while watching. I could not hear them so not sure what they were. There were people in building along the route who were leaning out of their windows to watch as the procession went by.

After the procession, I stopped and had tea in the garden of the Soclo hotel. It is a nice place to sit and enjoy the garden in quiet. It was busier than when I had been there before. I think many people in Europe travel over Easter weekend.

I went to Le Panache for dinner and had another great dinner. I stuck to non-meat as it was Good Friday. I did not consume the bacon on the asparagus. I did violate my general good behavior as the boys wanted to do a shot of pear brandy with me and I felt obligated to accept.