One of Cincinnati’s oldest traditions continues this Friday in Mt. Adams.
Every Good Friday, at midnight, thousands of Cincinnatians gather at the bottom of the 92 steps that lead from Riverside Drive all the way up to Holy Cross-Immaculata Parish at the top of the hill to participate in “Praying the Steps.”
The tradition began in the 1850s, when Archbishop Purcell asked people to climb the hillside, praying that enough money would be raised to build Immaculata Church. In the early days of the tradition, the faithful climbed a dirt path until wooden steps were built, followed by concrete steps in 1911.
Today, those visiting the steps can choose to begin from one of three locations: the upper steps, middle steps or lower steps. The upper steps begin on St. Gregory Street just below the church entrance, and the middle steps begin on Columbia Parkway. The lower steps, which begin on Riverside Drive (formerly Eastern Avenue) across from the Montgomery Inn Boathouse, were repaired in 2009 and now feature wider steps, pedestrian-scaled lighting and new landscaping and signage.
“Each year our parish looks forward to opening our doors to the thousands of pilgrims who visit,” said parish historian Jim Steiner. “Some people think we are a church that is only open on Good Friday. In fact, we are a vibrant parish with over 250 Ohio and Kentucky families who are active in our many spiritual and social activities throughout the year.”
No one seems to know for certain why the tradition of praying the steps on Good Friday developed, but each year thousands of people from all 50 states and even international visitors of all faiths make a pilgrimage to the holy site. For many area families, it is an annual tradition. No matter the weather, area faithful climb the steps, one by one, from the base of the steps to the church.
Two Good Friday services are scheduled at the Parish. Archbishop Casey will preside at the 3:00 p.m. service, and Friar Adam Puntel will preside at the 7:00 p.m. service. The services include the reading of the Passion Narrative, reception of Holy Communion, and the Veneration of the Cross. For more information, visit the HCI website.