LENT 2012: MICC VIA CRUCIS SEVENTH STATION IN ZAMBOANGA CITY

Every Good Friday at 5:00 a.m., we partake with the Way of the Cross or the Via Crucis of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as the Seventh Station.

From Wikipedia: 

Good Friday

Good Friday, or Biyernes Santo, is a public holiday, commemorated with solemn street processions, the Way of the Cross, the commemoration of Jesus' Seven Last Words or Siete Palabras, and a traditional Passion play called the Senákulo, which in some places is a week long affair. In some communities (most famously in the province of Pampanga), the processions include devotees who self-flagellate and sometimes even have themselves nailed to crosses as expressions of penance, in fulfillment of a vow, or in thanksgiving for a granted request. The marathon chanting or "pabasa" of the Pasyon, the epic narrative of Christ's Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection, usually concludes on this day.

Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) is a series of artistic representations, very often sculptural, depicting Christ Carrying the Cross to his crucifixion in the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus before he died, and the devotions using that series to commemorate the Passion, often moving physically around a set of stations. The vast majority of Roman Catholic churches now contain such a series, typically placed at intervals along the side walls of the nave; in most churches these are small plaques with reliefs or paintings, simpler than most of the examples shown here. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St. Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period. It is commonly observed in Lutheranism,^[1][2] and amongst the anglo-catholic wing of Anglicanism. It may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday and on Friday evenings during Lent.

Since decorating isn't exactly my forte, I usually request my friend, Ryan Bernaldo (better known as Regine) to decorate the altar outside our gate as the Seventh Station.

This is the scene at Good Friday dawn as Archbishop Romulo Valles as well as MCIC parish priest, Fr. Cris Manongas together with the community pass by the Seventh Station: Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene, as part of the Way of the Cross.

The Congregation arrives together with Archbishop Valles, MCIC Parish Priest and Msgr. Cris Manongas, Parish Administrator.

As the devotees come to the Seventh Station

Twelve Apostles

Archbishop Valles and Msgr. Cris lead the prayers

the devotees in prayer

Move to the Eighth Station. 

 

Thanks to my mom-in-law for preparing the cross and white covers.
Thanks to Regine and Aleli for the putting up decorations. Thanks for making such an impressive and holy altar... I know it comes from the heart. In fact, you were so thrifty this year but with the effort in preparing this is visible. And...I know it is difficult to prepare this in the wee hours past midnight.

I feel blessed for these people...


We feel blessed that our home is part of the Via Crucis!

P.S. Thanks to Regine for the pictures...