Via crucis in Mexico: tradition that connects the passion of Christ with social realities

The celebration of the Via Crucis during Good Friday is one of the most important traditions of Holy Week. Through it, the faithful commemorate the last moments of Jesus’ life, from his conviction to his crucifixion and burial.

In Mexico, thousands of communities organize processions that reflect their deep devotion, symbolically accompanying Jesus in his ordeal. Some of these representations adopt thematic approaches that connect with current social realities.

Next, a tour of some of the most representative crucis in rare contexts.

Via migrant crucis: faith on the road

The presence of migrants who are going through Mexico on their way to the United States is an urgent reality, and the Catholic Church accompanies them through their shelters and various forms of assistance.

It is common that, during Holy Week, Crucis be carried out in these spaces, especially at the North and South borders. One of the most representative is the Via migrant cruciscelebrated on the shores of the Suchiate River – Frontera between Guatemala and Mexico – that this 2025 reaches its 19th edition.

According to the migrant house without borders, located in Tecún Umán, the same route is made by which migrants pass to reach Mexico, which represents the journey of migrants on their route, and seeks to “sensitize authorities and general population of the human rights violations of people in mobility.”

In the north, between Mexico and the United States, these representations are also carried out. On Holy Thursday, hostel representatives invite the Park of Friendship, a few meters from the border wall, to the “feet wash” to wash the feet of migrants, meaning of “hospitality and friendship” towards travelers.

In front of the sea: the message in the middle of the break

Many people take advantage of Holy Week to visit the beaches, but that does not prevent them from participating in religious celebrations. Various coastal dioceses have promoted evangelization initiatives through Crucis, such as the one carried out in the popular city of Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo.

The organizers of this viacrucis They pointed out that seek to bring all the “clueless” that overlooked the importance of the date to remind them of the passion of Christ and thus bring them hope.

Prisons: redemption and faith after bars

Every year, prison centers also become scenarios where the passion of Christ is represented. In Mexico City, this tradition began 22 years ago in the local penitentiary and, since then, it has spread to several priests in the country.

OK With data From the Government of Mexico City, more than 80% of people deprived of liberty “states to profess the Catholic religion and live these events with faith.”

The preparation for these representations begins more than three months in advance. People deprived of liberty are responsible for making changing rooms and scenographies as part of the process.

Iztapalapa: The largest crucis via Mexico

Considered the largest via crucis in Mexico and one of the most important in the world. Since 1843, the Mayor’s Office of Iztapalapa made this representation of the Passion of Christ, which in 2024 attracted more than 2 million attendees

The tour culminates in the Cerro de la Estrella, where the crucifixion is staged. Because of its importance, this tradition has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico, and it is expected that it will soon receive recognition as a world heritage by UNESCO.