Gusts kept toppling Good Friday cross

The traditional mounting of the over 7-foot-tall wooden cross last Good Friday was no easy feat this year as severely strong winds buffeted and even toppled the cross a few times.

Last Friday, March 29, hundreds of community members—religious and non-religious alike—made the trek up Mt. Tapochau in observance of Good Friday and, although the trek itself was pleasant due to the strong, chilly morning winds, the same conditions that made the trek up Saipan’s highest mountain a breeze threatened the most important part of the occasion—the mounting of the over 7-foot-tall cross that weighed well over 100 lbs.

Members of the Catholic faith that were assigned to carry the cross up Mt. Tapochau were able to do so by 6:30am but the cross wasn’t mounted in place until past 8:30am.

Many individuals who make the trek every year stated that this year’s Good Friday observance took the longest as it took about two hours for the cross to be mounted in place.

The mounting of the cross was a nerve-racking scene as more and more men climbed up the highest point of Mt. Tapochau to help put the massive cross in its place. As the men tried with all their might to get the cross up, continuous strong gusty winds prevented them from getting the base of the cross into its mounting place, with the cross toppling over about twice.

The first time the cross toppled over, it nearly took with it a couple of men. One could hear the horrified screams of the spectators as they witnessed the cross fall, along with the men.

Fortunately, others were quick to action to ensure that the men and the cross didn’t completely fall off the mountain’s crag.

The second time the cross toppled over, it was already nearly fully erect but strong winds managed to push it over from the side.

However, when the cross was finally mounted, many were quick to thank and praise God while the men made their way down safely.

Aside from the challenges faced during the mounting of the cross, it was a challenge for many to visit the statue of Jesus Christ atop Mt. Tapochau due to the number of people who were trying to make it up all at once.

A line even formed from the statue all the way down to the last incline leading to the top of Mt. Tapochau. Despite the frustration of many, they still waited in line for their turn to touch the statue.

This year’s trek was organized by Santa Soledad Parish headed by Rev. Fr. Charlie Borja, who said he was happy to see so many women, men, and children make the trek in remembrance of the love of God.

“It’s a tremendous surprise each year [to see so many people] come up. People come up as early as 12am. The only reason we do this is to be reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It was on Good Friday that he carried the cross up Mt. Calvary. So, when we are carrying the cross today, it’s a gentle reminder of the suffering of Jesus and what he has done for each and everyone of us,” he said.