Good Friday celebrated in a unique way

May 02, 2014

By Kristina J
Around 150 parishioners of St Paul the Hermit commemorated Good Friday in a unique way this year. A 36 car convoy made its way to the twelve chapels of the parish journeying the “Stations of the Cross” with its theme Touching the Wounds of Christ. The journey started at 10.00 a.m. The first station took place at the Church of St Paul the Hermit and continued to other Chapels throughout the district of Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor before returning to its starting point for the fourteenth station at 6.00 p.m. The Good Friday service followed soon after.

This unique “Stations of the Cross” was organized by the Parish Multimedia group in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee celebration of the parish. The aim was to enhance the theme of the Lenten Campaign and to forge the community into a united parish. The uniqueness of this parish with its many little Chapels enabled each Chapel to be designated as a station. A life-size cross was transported to each Chapel for the stations. At every station there was a reflection on the wounds of Jesus from the carrying of the cross, the crowning with thorns, the falls and the nailing. Video clips of Jesus meeting his mother, the suffering women, the crucifixion and the burial of Jesus truly touched the hearts of the people. The life-sized cross used for the “The Stations of the Cross” was later used for the unveiling and the veneration of the cross.

Everyone who participated in this significant journey had a deep and profound spiritual experience. According to the PCC Chairman, Justin Joseph, he had a moving experience during the stations. He shared, “I started the journey full of energy but as the heat of the day progressed, I could not bear the hunger and fatigue. This reminded me that Jesus would have gone through even more. I still had water to drink but He had nothing. I walked only for a short while but His walk seemed endless with a heavy cross on His shoulder. However, He withstood and continued His journey because it was His ultimate love to save us.”

This meaningful “Stations of the Cross” was a reminder that we should love everyone like Jesus did. His wounds and sufferings teach us that there are people who are challenged in different circumstances such as divorce, abortion, sexual and physical abuse, oppression and many more. We, as a parish, must stand up through the teachings of Christ. His rising from the dead gives us hope.

The activities at each Chapel were prepared by Lazar Selvanathan and the Multimedia team.