ST. JOHN | Scores of people lined the prayer trail at the Shrine of Christ's Passion Friday afternoon as Bishop Dale Melczek led prayers at the Stations of the Cross.

In the 80-degree weather, they sat on large decorative stones, genuflected on the stamped concrete path and climbed the grassy banks along the trail to get a better view. Families prayed aloud. The faithful kneeled before the life-size bronze statues depicting the Stations of the Cross. Some wept.

Melczek, who leads Catholics in the Diocese of Gary, wore a headset microphone. His voice was broadcast through all of the speakers, so even those who could not get close enough to see him could hear him.

At each stop along the mile-long path, Melczek -- carrying a wooden cross -- read prayers and meditations, and the group read responses from a booklet.

Nearly 2,000 people had visited the Shrine of Christ's Passion by 3 p.m., said Frank Schilling, the catalyst for the shrine's creation. Every parking space was taken.

"Before we were open, it was already filled," he said.

Cars parked along a nearby access driveway and even along the shoulder of U.S. 41. Overflow was sent to the parking lot at nearby St. John the Evangelist Church.

Plans are to expand the parking lot at the shrine and build a path for the electric-powered golf carts to shuttle people, so as not to disturb those visiting the stations. The amount of visitors is prompting those expansions, Schilling said.

"It's a good problem to have," he said.

The Rev. Sammie Maletta, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, said it was edifying to see so many people show up on Good Friday, especially young families with their children.

People traveled from as far as Detroit, specifically for Friday's prayers, said Paul Anderson, manager of the Shrine of Christ's Passion.

LaPorte neighbors Deb Wozniak and Barbara Heric said Friday was their first visit to the trail, and both plan to return.

"It's a perfect place for a Good Friday devotion," Heric said.

Wozniak said she was going to go to services closer to home, but in the middle of the night she had a change of heart and decided to join Heric for the one-hour trip to St. John for the Stations of the Cross.

Heric had read about the shrine and wanted to visit, and when she heard Melczek would lead prayers on Good Friday, she decided to attend.

"It will definitely not be the last time," Wozniak said.