Saint Pius X Catholic Parish, dedicated to renewing all things in Christ, is committed to evangelization through prayer, service, sacrificial giving, faith formation, and community.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Fourteenth Station of the Cross
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

a reflection by Robby Kiley, Director of Religious Education
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.


When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb. ~Matthew 27: 57-61

I hope some of you have had an opportunity to see or read the stunning Urbi et Orbi blessing that Pope Francis offered on March 27. In the middle of the worst ravages of the COVID-19 virus in Italy, the Pope stood in the middle of Saint Peter’s Square and offered a blessing to Rome and to the World ( Urbi et Orbi literally means “to the city (of Rome) and to the world”). 

The square, normally filled to capacity with pilgrims, was empty. The sky was dark, and the scene was almost haunting. Saint Peter’s Square is enormous, and without the faithful present, the Pope looked small, bent, almost broken. I can imagine the disciples of Jesus feeling the same way following the crucifixion. As the lifeless body of Jesus was lowered from the cross and prepared for burial, they too must have felt broken, defeated.

When I saw the images from the blessing, I will admit that I started to cry. This was the first time during the crisis that I really felt the loss and longing for the sacraments, for the Eucharist. But the scene was also a moment for hope. Pope Francis may have looked small, but he was not defeated. He held the Body of Christ aloft, and offered blessing for the faithful he could not see. It was a radical act, a sign of trust and faith in the face of pain and despair.

Similarly, Jesus’ burial may have seemed defeating, but there was hope here as well. Joseph of Arimathea’s care for Jesus’ body was an act of love in the face of pain. And the Gospels also tell us that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus remained by the tomb in silent watch. They remain because of their love for Jesus, love which transcends even death.

I know that during these past few weeks, there have been times when I have felt broken, defeated. When we had to postpone First Communions and Confirmations that usually are a cause for such joy, I was particularly struck. But though these times seem bleak, there is still cause for hope. Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi was an act of radical trust in God. And now, Good Friday comes to us: an occasion to remember the Passion of Jesus, yes, but not as something that brings defeat. We venerate the Cross because it is the means of our salvation. Something awful, terrible, haunting, paradoxically becomes a means of hope. The Holy Cross priests have as their motto, Ave Crux Spes Unica - Hail the Cross, our Only Hope. While the Triduum and Easter may be different, we can still trust in this - trust in Christ, our hope .


Full text of the Urbi et Orbi HERE
Though we cannot be together for Friday night Stations of the Cross at Saint Pius X this year, we invite you to embrace this touching prayer with your family by following along with the video (click HERE or the image below), narrated by Fr. Bill Schooler. God bless all, until we meet again.

Click HERE to access the Worship Aid .
MOTHER OF DIVINE LOVE

The following prayer will replace the parish stewardship prayer at Mass until further notice.

Mother of Divine Love, we entrust to you our nation and world, our families and loved ones, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

In this time of trial and testing, hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful.

For those already afflicted, obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.

For those working to help the sick and bring an end to this crisis, obtain the strength to continue their work.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, conform us to the will of the Father, remind us always of the love of your Son, Jesus, and bring his peace to our land and to our hearts.

Amen.

Saint Rocco, protector against the plague and all contagious diseases, pray for us!

We don't know what financial challenges lie ahead for you, or for our parish. Despite the fact that we cannot gather together for Mass, Saint Pius X continues to embrace our mission  to renew all things in Christ  thanks to your ongoing generosity and commitment. Please visit the website to learn more about online giving and to sign up, StPius.net/OnlineGiving or mail your offering to 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN 46530.  
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