RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Jakarta Cathedral marked Good Friday 2026 with a unique presentation of Jalan Salib Kreatif (Creative Way of the Cross), portraying the struggles of Peter as a fisherman who faced hardship yet remained steadfast in faith.

The performance set the tone for the Cathedral’s message: encouraging young people to cultivate resilience and spiritual strength amid global crises. Imam of Jakarta Cathedral, Father Yohanes Deodatus, underscored the importance of faith as a source of endurance.

“When we trust in God, there is always a way. God works in human life, helping us find meaning in everything we do so we do not fall into despair. In today’s global crisis, young people must hold on to faith to persevere,” he said during the service on Friday, April 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Father Yohanes added that beyond resilience, youth must also seek direction, humility, and avoid arrogance. He noted that Indonesia itself faces heavy challenges, both domestic and global, making closeness to God essential.

“Even with sin and weakness, we are still loved by God. He never abandons us,” he affirmed.

The Good Friday service also invited worshippers to reflect on sacrifice as the essence of divine love. “God so loved humanity that He was willing to suffer. True love is love that is willing to sacrifice fully,” Father Yohanes explained.

Head of Public Relations for the Archdiocese of Jakarta and the Cathedral, Susyana Suwadie, said this year’s Jalan Salib Kreatif carried the theme Lux in Nihilo (Light in Nothingness). The theme, she noted, was chosen by Catholic Youth (OMK) to inspire believers to move from emptiness toward meaning.

“The figure of Peter illustrates this journey -- falling, then rising again in the light of Christ,” Susyana said.

To accommodate the large number of worshippers, the Cathedral prepared 5,000 seats daily throughout the Easter Triduum, including Good Friday. Services were scheduled after three rounds of the Way of the Cross at 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m., conducted in hybrid format to allow participation by the elderly and those unable to attend in person.

The Cathedral’s message was clear: in times of uncertainty, faith and humility remain vital anchors. Through creative storytelling and collective worship, the Good Friday service sought to remind the faithful that resilience, sacrifice, and trust in God are the pathways to hope and renewal. ***