Meaningful ‘Mary’s Way Of The Cross’ at St. James Church

 

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—It was nearly pitch black at the end of the 15th station save only for the lighted candles inside the St. James Catholic Church. The parishioners were caught up with unexplainable sentiments at that moment.

 

One such churchgoer was Marilou Jagonos Haynes, one of the readers of the Mary’s Way of the Cross, the second year this event was held in the church. 

 

The 15th station is when Jesus Christ is raised from the dead. The resurrection scene was accompanied by a piano solo of the song “What Wondrous Love Is This, O My Soul, O My Soul’ as performed by pianist Debbie McRoberts.  Her voice rang true like a mother longing for the presence of her children.

‘It was lovely,’ said one lady parishioner to Terri Wyman who explained to the faithful in her opening message that the Mary’s Way Of The Cross was held for the second straight year in St. James.  Kim Brunner Stella, who was unavailable that night, started the Mary’s Way of the Cross since joining St. James. 

The foreword of Rev. Andrew Costello, C.S.R of the book by Richard Furey opened with the saying ‘Is not the Way of the Cross the way of every person’s life?.’ He continues saying ‘doesn’t every life have suffering, falls, hurts, rejections, condemnations, death, burial and resurrection?’ 

Thus the Stations of the Cross became a way of life or becomes a way of life for all Catholics who ponder on its spiritual meaning. 

The 14 devotions or stations starts at Jesus Christ’s condemnation leading to His death. In this sorrowful journey his mother Mary accompanies him. 

 In every Catholic’s journey through life, he or she calls upon Mama Mary for strength to endure the pain and eventually experience happiness. 

The Way of the Cross which is usually very popular among the Catholics during the Lenten season otherwise known as the Passion of Christ makes Catholics relive the tortuous journey of Jesus Christ from persecution and death to resurrection. 

What makes this year’s edition of the Mary’s Way of the Cross also meaningful was that the Stations of the Cross was conducted in bilingual fashion i.e. in English and Spanish.  English and Spanish readers took turns in reading the stations and reflections followed by the appropriate hymns to make them meaningful. 

Parishioner Connie Lindstrand went emotional on listening to her daughter Colleen Lindstrand Brown reading one of the stations. Colleen was herself teary-eyed reading the description of the specific station and how it applied to real life. 

Parish priest Fr. Fidel Milo spoke at the end of the service and remarked that it is his first time to attend the event which he described as beautiful. He also called on the faithful to invite friends next year. 

A significant night indeed for the Catholic faithful who went home touched at their core by the event.