BUNBURY CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL PARISH

Faith Education Corner

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The Stations of the Cross

 

From the earliest days of Christianity, followers of Jesus have wanted to visit the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, especially the steps of his passion – called variously ‘Stations’ (meaning walking and stopping for reflection), the Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) or ‘way of sorrow’ (Via Dolorosa). Over the years the number of ‘stations’ or reflection points, has varied from as few as five to as many as thirty. The stations generally go from the garden of Gethsemane, through the High Priest’s courtyard, through the streets of Jerusalem to the hill of crucifixion (Calvary/Golgotha), and to the tomb. Each year during Lent, and especially on Good Friday, thousands of Christians retrace the route of Jesus through the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem.

 

The first surviving narrative of the sorrowful walk is from the early fourth century, and many others since then. Not all aspiring pilgrims could manage this arduous, costly trip, so pictures or sculptures representing stages of Christ’s journey to the cross were placed in or near local churches.

 

The journey of faith is a journey through history, and a journey of our own personal commitment to God, to our own growth as a community of faith, and as individuals maturing in our faith. The cross is about the power of love, the commitment of God to humanity, the faithfulness and grace of God. This love risked even death for the sake of new life. By making the Stations we are making our own journey, and confessing our own dependence on God.

 

In  Jesus’ journey to the Cross, we see faithfulness in the midst of passion/suffering, perseverance and courage. Courage – commitment to the Father in that journey; courage – to face what comes. For all of us, life is sometimes dark and painful, and we need to remember that God can work in the darkness. The Stations are essentially a context for prayer and reflection, and as we open our hearts to God in this symbolic journey, we can identify with Jesus, and with those around us who suffer in their own journey.

 

Parish magazine – on the right-hand side as you enter the cathedral, there is a quantity of printed material from a variety of sources.

 

One of these is a parish magazine called Australian Catholics, published four times a year. Each edition has a theme, with a variety of articles connected to the theme.  It has a number of articles with eye-catching graphics and interesting Catholic facts.  

 

This edition (Autumn 2023) is on ‘Touring the world of Jesus’. There is always a longer article in the centre called ‘Explorations’ developing the theme – this time it is on ‘The World of Jesus’. There is also an imaginative and informative tour of the Holy Land in about 60AD – it is called ‘the Lonely Disciple’s Guide to the Holy Land’.

 

The magazines are provided by the parish, and you are invited to take a copy, and give a gold coin at the collection time.

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Compiled by Sr Christine Clarke PBVM