People from the churches of the Isle of Man have been walking with a cross visiting communities around the Island, stopping at businesses, churches, museums and significant landmarks, to bear witness to Christ crucified and risen. Local people have been carrying the Cross and walking with it for each segment of the journey, giving out Palm Crosses and information leaflets.

Walk A Cross the Island, initiated by the Canon Evangelist, Rev Ian Brady, set off on the Monday of Holy Week after the Diocesan quiet morning and Chrism Mass in the Cathedral. Clergy and Readers of the Diocese walked with the Cross through Peel to the breakwater where it was taken aboard an RNLI boat for the first leg of the journey to Port Erin. The Cross was accompanied on the MV Mary Margaret by Bishop Robert Paterson, Archdeacon Andie Brown, Dean Nigel Godfrey, and Dr John Snelling who is the lifeboat doctor and member of Living Hope Community Church.

As well as the stretch by sea, the Cross reached the Isle of Man’s highest point at the summit of Snaefell, travelling on the Snaefell Mountain Railway on Maundy Thursday.

Support and advice has come from many organisations, including St John’s Ambulance, Isle of Man Constabulary, the Department of Infrastructure, Isle of Man Heritage Railways, Manx National Heritage, the Civil Defence, and all the churches.

Revd Lynda Brady has been accompanying much of the Walk A Cross the Island and says the it has been very moving in places. “In St Catherine’s at Port Erin there were prayers for the parish and the island. Then in the Methodist church singing ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’ gave me goose bumps.

“In Castletown People took turns to carry the cross and the children made sure they weren't left out. Two people wanted to carry together! Then in church we sang ‘Lift high the cross’ – another goose bump moment.”

On Easter Day ecumenical leaders of the Island’s churches walked the final 3 miles from St John’s to Peel for Easter Praise in the Cathedral, and the inauguration of Churches Alive in Mann, demonstrating to the Island that Church is Alive in Mann.