Good Friday in Tonga saw a unique twist as a horse joined the Stations of the Cross.
At St Ann’s Catholic Church in Haʻasini, parishioners introduced a horse into their annual Good Friday procession, marking the first time an animal featured in the dramatic reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion.
The procession began at the local police station, with participants stopping at various Stations of the Cross before arriving at the church grounds, symbolically representing Golgotha.
The inclusion of the horse captivated many onlookers, adding a new dimension to the traditional observance.
Meanwhile, in Vavaʻu, St Joseph’s Cathedral livestreamed its Good Friday service for the first time, allowing members of the Catholic diaspora to join the solemn occasion remotely.
The Stations of the Cross, a devotional reenactment of Jesus’ final hours, holds special significance in Tonga and has been practiced for over five decades since its initiation in Houma in the 1980s.
These observances are typically marked by prayerful processions, hymns, and dramatic portrayals of Christ’s journey to Calvary, reflecting the deep-rooted Christian faith in Tongan communities.
