The Lenten season is coming to an end this week with Holy Week.
Holy Week began with Palm Sunday on April 2 and includes Good Friday on April 7, Holy Saturday/Easter vigil on April 8 and Easter Sunday on April 9.
In honor of Good Friday, which is when Jesus was crucified, many people came out to St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church for the outdoor stations of the cross at noon.
During the Stations of the Cross, attendees visit 14 stations depicting Jesus’ last day on Earth and focus on specific events leading up to his crucifixion and his body being laid in the tomb. The attendees say a specific prayer at each station before moving to the next until all 14 are complete.
Father Chris Hassel led the large crowd in the devotion and said the stations are a way to bring the community together.
“The stations of the cross are just a devotion that we have that helps us to focus on Jesus’ passion, his death, and so we walk with him in that journey through scriptures in tradition to walk those stations, those spots and meditate on the Lord’s passion, his journey to his death, his crucifixion and his death” Hassel said. “So just on this Good Friday, the day of his death, we walk with him in that, and we are reminded of that, and it helps us to enter deeper into what we always celebrate this Sunday with Easter and all that it means for us.”
Joanne Madeira was one of the attendees at the stations of the cross Friday.
“It’s just, I’ve been very faithful my entire life and wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m a good Catholic, and the Lord just sacrificed for us, it’s the least I could do in the sweaty, hot heat. But it’s like I’m very grateful and blessed to have a beautiful life, and it’s my way of giving back.”
During the Lenten season, St. Teresa’s held stations of the cross every Friday evening at the Church. The noon devotion was one of two the church was holding on Good Friday, with the second taking place at 3 p.m. inside the church.
Following Good Friday, churches throughout the CSRA will have Easter vigil and Easter services this weekend.
