When running the race of life, the best gift we can give ourselves, our family and our community is to slow down. Slowing down does not mean giving up or becoming complacent.
The goal of slowing down is to reflect on one’s priorities and shut off the chatter of the world that distracts us. The goal of Christians is to ensure that our time in this world is leading us towards Heaven.
In anticipation of Easter, which will be celebrated on April 5, many Western Christians are mindfully slowing down by participating in the prayerful devotion of the Stations of the Cross. The stations refer to a series of 14 key moments in the trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ.
Often known as the “Way of Sorrows” or the “Way of the Cross,” this popular devotion is generally held seven consecutive Fridays during Lent ending on Good Friday, which is the Friday before Easter. The stations are a powerful experience that includes prayer, meditation and song.
This time-honored devotion evolved as an imitation of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, which is a pilgrimage that symbolizes the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary. At the end of the 17th century, to allow those unable to journey to the Holy Land to participate, pictorial stations were erected within churches around the world.
For more than 1,000 years the Catholic Church has honored this pilgrimage, which is also practiced by many other Western Christian churches, including Anglican, Methodist and Lutheran. Whether done as a faith community or individually, (even though there are some differences between the denominations), the objective of the stations is to guide Christians on a spiritual pilgrimage through reflection of the Passion of Christ.
For those seeking to slow down through devotion and spiritually prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter, you are invited to join the Pagosa Catholic Community at one of two locations that will be leading the Stations of the Cross. Held inside, all attendees are provided handouts to assist with following the stations.
Stations will be held every Friday at 7 p.m. starting Feb. 20 and continuing through March 27 at Pope John Paul II Church located at 353 N. Pagosa Blvd. and every Wednesday at 4 p.m. (with rosary) starting Feb. 18 and continuing through March 25 at Immaculate Heart of Mary located at 455 Lewis St.
For more information about all upcoming events, including the Good Friday Pilgrimage and Easter Mass schedule, visit ihmjp2.org or call the Parish Office at (970) 731-5744.
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