Catholics celebrate Good Friday in Anchorage

Catholic faithful from across Anchorage walked from their home parishes to Town Square on Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Some, like Richard Mitchell, walked even farther.

Mitchell began his walk in South Anchorage, carrying 45 pounds of weight in a backpack and a 15-pound cross. Twelve miles later he joined the crowd at Town Square. "I'm doing this for the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day," he said.

A group from Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in West Anchorage walked 4 miles to Town Square, praying the stations of the cross in both English and Spanish. The parish serves a large Hispanic population. Each group prayed the first 11 stations of the cross as they walked, and together they prayed the final three stations of the cross with Archbishop Paul Etienne at Town Square.