Students from Sacred Heart University are walking to New Haven with two crosses in a pilgrimage for Holy Week.

The students are carrying two large eight-foot, 50-pound crosses symbolizing the last day of Jesus Christ's life.

"We are carrying crosses as a means of Lenten sacrifice," student Sam Dowd said.

The 23.7 mile walk is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus group, which was founded in New Haven . The journey for the students began after a Mass at the University Chapel with Bishop William Lori.

"It's going to be a tough experience, but I hope that the outward sign brings a lot of people back to faith," Paul Carrier said. "Any type of faith really, not just the Christian faith. I'm not trying to push my faith on anyone, just that in this tough time that we might be able to be able to believe in something bigger than us."

The students will spend the night in Orange and are expected to travel along Post Road until they reach their destination, St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue.