Throughout the season of Lent, we will be praying the Stations of the Cross every Friday night at 7 pm. I encourage everyone to come and join us for at least one of these nights. Praying the Stations of the Cross allows us to enter more deeply into the mystery of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.
In the Middle Ages, people would make pilgrimages to the Holy Land to walk in the steps of Christ and visit the holy places associated with Jesus' Passion. Today pilgrims and tourists still walk the Via Dolorosa (the sorrowful way) in Jerusalem and retrace Christ's steps.
When I was in seminary, I had the great privilege of spending 10 weeks in the Holy Land. It was incredibly moving to walk the Via Dolorosa and to stop and pray at each of the holy sites. Praying at the site of the crucifixion and at the Lord's tomb were especially powerful moments of prayer for me.
Of course, not everyone has the opportunity or the ability to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. That's why the custom of praying the Stations of the Cross was initiated in churches throughout Europe around the 13th century. Similar to our stations around the interior of St. Josaphat Church, churches created their own stations on the walls of churches or in the stained glass windows. They became a teaching tool to illustrate our Lord's Passion and they provided the faithful with an opportunity to make a mini-pilgrimage of sorts as they walked their own Via Dolorosa as they followed the Stations.
The Stations of the Cross relief sculptures in St. Josaphat Church are beautifully done and provide us with an excellent opportunity to engage in prayer as we make our own mini-pilgrimage each Friday night during Lent. We have also created a booklet (available at the back of church) with the images of our Stations and descriptions from our school children to help you pray on your own, perhaps before Mass one day. I hope you will come and join us at least one Friday night during lent as we engage in this ancient custom of prayer.
God Bless,
Fr. Francis
Important Upcoming Dates!
March 14, 7 pm - Stillness, Scripture, Stories & Song with Fr. Grassi
March 15 & 16 - Drama Club Presents: Rockin' Robin
March 15 (& every Friday in Lent) 7 pm - Stations of the Cross
March Theme:
Lenten Prayer
Dine Around at the Warehouse
TONIGHT!
Thursday, March 14th
11am-11pm 1419 W Fullerton Ave.
St. Josaphat gets 20% Back! Includes carry out and delivery! If ordering online enter "SJS Fundraiser" on the note section. If ordering via phone, just mention SJS!
Stations Every Friday
Join us in the church at 7pm tomorrow, Friday Mar 15th and every Friday throughout Lent for
Stations of the Cross.
"The Rockin' Robin" this weekend!
St. Josaphat School Drama Club presents a musical review featuring popular songs from the 50s with a script written by drama club actors.
Join us in the St. Josaphat Gym Friday, Mar 15th - 7pm Saturday, Mar 16th - 1pm Tickets - $5.00 per person (Children 2 and under are free)
Men's Spirituality
All men of the parish and their friends are welcome. Our next meeting in the Red Door Room of the rectory is
Saturday, Mar 16th at 6:30 am
Men's Club
Join us to watch the first round of the NCAA March Madness.
There is no cover charge. All parishioners, friends and family are welcome.
