Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaPilsen’s Via Crucis has run for 49 years. For the families who keep it going, it’s more than a performance.
When Zitlalic Castillo walks into the basement of St. Pius Church in Pilsen, she becomes Pontius Pilate’s wife.
Even though this is her first year participating in Pilsen’s Via Crucis, the 22-year-old has a generational advantage: her mother, Beatriz Castillo, played the role as a teenager in Mexico.
For many, Via Crucis is a longstanding Good Friday tradition that merges Catholic faith with community. Now, in its 49th year, the Living Stations of the Cross procession re-enacts Jesus Christ’s crucifixion in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood — a community on the Lower West Side that has been a port of entry for Mexican immigrants.
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Zitlalic grew up attending the Via Crucis procession. It was not until her father passed in 2025 that she wanted to participate alongside her mother to fulfill his wish that she become involved in the production.
“I love to see the happiness on my mom’s face despite everything we’ve been through as a family with the passing of my dad,” said Zitlalic.
Behind the scenes, the production has become a multi-generational effort for the faith community. Many families return year after year to reprise roles and form lasting community bonds, which, according to the event’s coordinator, Nellie Quintana, is the heart of the production.
Behind the scenes, the production has become a multi-generational effort for the faith community. Many families return year after year to reprise roles and form lasting community bonds, which, according to the event’s coordinator, Nellie Quintana, is the heart of the production.
These bonds are why, despite the closing and merging of churches in Pilsen over the last decade, Quintana has kept the tradition alive. In 2025, Quintana helped create a nonprofit, Pilsen Via Crucis Living Way of the Cross, to support the community event. In addition to coordinating the Good Friday procession, she also serves as the nonprofit’s board chair.
“When I look at the crowd, I know that somebody out there is feeling a sense of hope from watching what we’re doing,” said Quintana. “I know that somewhere, somehow in this procession, somebody’s praying, someone is reflecting, someone is building community, and that is the most fulfilling feeling ever.”
On Friday morning, hundreds gathered along 18th Street as Castillo, her mother and other actors re-enacted The Last Supper, The Prayer in Gethsemane and Jesus Before Pontius Pilate, before culminating in the Crucifixion of Jesus.
“We came to see what happened for us,” said Gloria Hernández, who has been attending the procession for 17 years. “He gave his life for us.”
Hernández was one of three friends from Michoacan, Mexico, who attended the procession together. Alma Diaz said they watched the procession to “remember the suffering.”
Martha Gonzalez echoed the same sentiment, saying the procession merges their faith and her community.
Gonzalez, a longtime Pilsen resident, has watched the procession every year for over a decade, and this year she wore a red sash signaling her involvement in the march. She participated alongside her daughter and her uncle.
“I always wanted to participate, but I made it a priority this year,” said Gonzalez. “I personally feel more close to God and my faith by participating.”
For Zitlalic, this experience not only deepened her faith but also strengthened her family’s bond.
“It’s been nice to see that despite everything, my mom is still fighting for us, for my dad’s memory, and that she’s glad to share this moment together,” she said.
Aydali Campa ha contribuido a este reportaje.
Camilla Forte es becaria de CatchLight y miembro del cuerpo Report for America que cubre las comunidades inmigrantes para Borderless Magazine. Se puede contactar con ella en [email protected].
