Every Friday in Lent, fifteen to twenty of us meet in the nave for a devotion called the Stations of the Cross.

Begun by the Franciscans in the high middle ages, and gradually developed over centuries, the Way of the Cross follows the Via Dolorosa (“way of sorrow”) of Jesus from the Court of Pilate to the Cross, and ultimately his burial in the tomb. As we walk our circuit through the nave and chapels and we gaze on these images of the Passion, we meditate on scripture, we sing, and we pray.

Though it only takes about half an hour, the slow and steady movement through these fourteen stations forces us into a new kind of rhythm. It refocuses us. It gives us the space to breathe, to reflect, and to hear the Gospel stories in a new way.

I am always surprised by how deeply affecting I find this devotion, especially as it ends with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

We will meet today, Friday, March 20, at 5:30pm for the penultimate devotion, and once more next week. We hope you’ll join us!