THE WAY OF THE CROSS: A CHRISTIAN TRADITION
From the earliest days of the Church, Christians commemorated the steps Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion. These steps, or stations, became known as the Via Dolorosa, and eventually, the “Way of the Cross.” In the fourth century (the age when Christians were finally free to practice their faith in the Roman Empire without legal persecution) the
stations along the Way of the Cross began to draw pilgrims from throughout the world, especially during the celebration of Holy Week. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land gave Christians the opportunity to walk with Christ in his final hours: to meditate on the depth of his love, a love that was faithful to the end, and to tangibly unite their sufferings to his, in the hope of sharing in the joy of his Resurrection. There were, however, many Christians who could not make the long and difficult trip to Jerusalem. Desiring to find a way to open this source of spiritual nourishment and grace to the whole Church, bishops began to construct chapels designed to model or include the Way of the Cross. During the Middle Ages, many churches began to be decorated with sculptures representing the Stations along the Way of the Cross. The Franciscans especially fostered the practice of praying the Stations of the Cross. From them we have inherited the traditional 14 stations prayed by so many throughout the world today. As we walk and pray the Way of the Cross here in Brewer and Bangor, Maine, we continue in the tradition of this ancient Christian pilgrimage with Christ. We mark the Stations of his Cross along the streets of our community, demonstrating by our steps that the Way of the Cross did not end at Calvary 2000 years ago, but that Christ continues to carry his cross among us in a pilgrimage that unites every time and place. Our prayerful procession encourages us, as it has encouraged Christians for centuries, to walk with Christ along the way of sacrificial love, a way that does not end in the cross, but in the promise of eternal life. PROCESSION DESCRIPTION
The Way of the Cross Community Procession is liturgical, in the sense that it consists in prayers, readings, enactments, and spiritual meditations based on the 14 traditional stations of the cross. These elements are offered by the priests, deacons, ministers, and enactors as they lead the people in a solemn journey through the final days of our Lord’s life. The procession seeks to present an account of the Passion of Jesus Christ that is authentic to the Gospel and to the traditional Way of the Cross prayed in Catholic churches throughout the world. Altar servers lead and accompany enactors through the series of 14 stations along the 1.7 mile route, pausing at each station, where passages from the Gospels and reflections are read to the people by liturgical readers. Enactors are dressed in costumes that have a noble simplicity and beauty that communicates the authentic faith and a historical accuracy to the degree possible. Their actions are not overly dramatic, but are effective in portraying the final events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ in a way that is accessible to all ages. PROCESSION ROUTE
Procession length: 1.7 miles
Procession will begin at St. Joseph’s Church in the rear of the parking area at 1:00PM. The first three stations are observed on the St. Joseph’s Campus before the procession moves out onto North Main Street (Rt. 9), heading toward downtown Brewer. Stations four and five are observed in Indian Trail Park, while the people remain standing along the roadway. Stations six is observed at the Paradis Shopping Center parking lot. The procession then continues down North Main Street before turning onto State Street and crossing the Penobscot River Bridge. The seventh and eighth stations are observed at the Career Center on Oak Street. The procession then makes a short leg on Hancock Street, turns left onto Pine Street and observes the ninth station at the top of the hill before intersecting York Street. The procession then turns right onto York Street, and proceeds to St. John’s Church, where stations ten through fourteen are observed. PARKING AND SHUTTLE SERVICE
Parking at St. Joseph’s Church is reserved for procession volunteers and handicapped participants who will be observing the first 3 stations and then driving to St. All other participants should park in St. John’s parking lot, or on the street near St. John’s Church and then take the free shuttle to St. Joseph’s Church for the beginning of the procession. A shuttle stop will be clearly marked at each church. Shuttle buses will be traveling between St. Joseph’s beginning at 12 noon and continuing until 6:00pm. SAFETY AND FIRST AID
Participants should make sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. They may wish to bring water and some high energy food as well. Bathrooms will be available for the public at St. Joseph’s and St. John’s Churches, and porta-pottties will be located at the Paradis Shopping Center. If at any point during the procession a participant is having difficulty, they should immediately go to one of the security volunteers dressed in the yellow vests, who will assist them with their need.
