BROWNING — Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. For 42 years , in remembrance, members of the Little Flower Parish have walked seven miles into town, stopping at all 15 stations of the cross.
“The sacrament means a lot to them. We’ve walked in blizzards, we’ve walked in drifts and everything else hasn’t stopped us,” said Gertrude Heavy Runner.
Heavy Runner blessed the congregation in a Blackfeet tradition called smudging before they made their Journey, ending at the Little Flower Church where the parish would bow or kneel for what is called the veneration of the cross.
Father Ed Kholer of Little Flower has been with his parish for 35 years and is now celebrating his last Lenten season with his parish as he is retiring in July of 2021. Leaving behind this message for followers of his faith.
“If we are going to live a good life we have to recognize the reason for creation. That all things we created for jesus and through him and apart from him nothing came into being. Now I’m going to get teary eyed— and so you have to remember that and focus in on him,” said Father Ed.
Now the Parish hopes to continue celebrating traditions that started long before then and they hope will continue for generations to come.
“Majority of the people, they’re probably about the fourth generation, you know, so I hope our younger generation will eventually feel comfortable to go back and think of those days and make our culture part of the life they have today,” said Ronald Crossguns.
