STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT ST. ANDREW’S: A Special Opportunity to Journey with the Lord

The Stations of the Cross illustrate for us 14 parts of Jesus’s last day before His death and can be treated like a mini-pilgrimage. Reflecting on the Stations is a great way to enter into the solemnity of Lent. We can use the devotion as a chance to journey with Jesus and understand a small part of what He experienced during the Passion. The devotion begins with Jesus being condemned to death and ends with Him being laid in the tomb.

Kathi Gill has served as a Stations of the Cross leader for about 10 years at St. Andrew’s. It’s a really important devotion to her life. Even during the height of the pandemic, she and Cathy Michaelson found a way to offer the prayer in a socially distanced manner.

“The Stations of the Cross have always been one of my favorite Lenten devotions,” Kathi says. “I attended a parochial grade school, and every Friday afternoon, we had Stations of the Cross at the church before school was dismissed. Stations would end with Benediction. It was a devotion that always made Lent very meaningful for me.”

Having spent several years helping lead Stations for

Faith Formation students, Kathi worked with others to make the devotion meaningful for each grade level and to involve the students as much as possible.

“I have always felt strongly about sharing this Lenten practice with schoolchildren because they sometimes have less exposure to Lenten prayers and practices,” Kathi says.

She recalls when a special needs student volunteered to carry the cross when none of his classmates would. He carried the heavy cross and genuflected at the appropriate times, saying all of the responses right on cue. His sincerity and reverence stayed with Kathi all these years later.

For Kathi, the fourth Station — Jesus meets His Mother — is the most meaningful for her as a mother herself. She tries to truly reflect on what Mary must have been feeling.

Kathi asks that we all look for an opportunity at one of our parishes to participate in Stations of the Cross this Lent. For Kathi, this devotion makes Jesus’ sacrifices come alive and is an impactful way to prepare for Easter.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT

Wednesday: 5:30 p.m. at St. James

Friday: 9:30 a.m. at St. Andrew/GF Care Center; 5 p.m. at St. Joseph; 6:30 p.m. at St. James