Good Friday marked the celebration of the 24th-annual Way of the Cross Over the Brooklyn Bridge, a procession that joined believers together from all parts of New York City.

The tradition began with a ceremony at St. James Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Brooklyn. It was followed by the procession where hundreds walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan.

"It's just the memory of the sacrifice that was needed for the love that we believe saved the world and saved us and our humanity," says cross-bearer Joshua Layugan.

Retired firefighter John Bartlett carries the cross once the procession is in Manhattan, a privilege he has taken up for the past 17 years.

"Good Friday 2002 was the first Good Friday after Sept. 11, 2001. The coordinators of the event wanted a fireman to carry the cross in uniform," says Bartlett.

The crowd stopped at City Hall and Ground Zero where they sang hymns and read scriptures before heading to their final stop at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio says it was heartwarming to see a good turnout for this year's event.