I just got home from Our Lady of Lourdes Church where I attended a performance of the stations of the cross with my daughters. Catholics everywhere celebrate the stations at this time every year, along with many other Christians in the world. And at Lourdes, the entire service is put on by high school and elemetary students. Not an adult in sight.

Each performer, reader, singer, even the organist, was a youngster from our parish. What a wonderful display and celebration of the final hours of Jesus’ life.

A couple dozen kids acted out each station, with one of course portraying Jesus. As they did this, a reader lead us in prayer. And the musicians lead us in song on the piano, organ, flute and clarinet. It was beautiful.

In case you’re not familiar, the 14 stations are:

1. Jesus is condemned to die.
2. Jesus carries His cross.
3. Jesus falls the first time.
4. Jesus meets His Mother.
5. Simon helps Jesus carry His cross.
6. Veronica wipes Jesus’ face.
7. Jesus falls the second time.
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
9. Jesus falls the third time.
10. Jesus is stripped.
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross.
12. Jesus dies on the cross.
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

I hope you will have the opportunity to truly feel the impact of what Christ did for us all, as I did tonight.