BITS AND BOBS

A Journey of Faith

If there is anything that can unite us all it is prayer, especially at this time of Lent when we are called to repentance and reconciliation. Lent, that 40-day preparation for Easter, has one timeless devotion: The Way of the Cross.

At almost all chapels and churches you could see 14 images (or stations) of the Lord’s way to His death and resurrection. Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, in fact, has several spots along its thorough fares where the stations are permanently placed.

My first experience of this devotion was at St Rita Hospital Chapel. During Lent, right after the Mass, my grandmother would lead the prayers. Since the chapel wasn’t that big, she was the only one that moves from one station to the other while the rest just stays put and reflect at that particular station. I was thinking, “Why do my elders keep on genuflecting on those tiny pictures? What are those pictures by the way?”

It was only when I went to the church in Kawit, Cavite that I realized what those pictures were. Thanks too go for that little prayer book I got during my 1st Holy Communion showing and explaining what those stations were.

The Way of the Cross has been a companion for my journey in life. It has been an inspiration of my pilgrimage from the confines of the home to the realm of community life.

My first job was faculty member/religious affairs co-ordinator at St Rita Hospital. Apart from teaching high school and college students, I was also tasked to organise worthwhile spiritual activities. During Holy Week (Holy Tuesday or Holy Wednesday) officers, employees, students, and guests gather at the college grounds to pray the Way of the Cross. We all conclude the activity by venerating the crucifix.

In 1993, the Stations of the Cross, which were annually held in assigned streets in the parish, were to be dramatized. Tanghalang Anluwage (TA), in association with the Silent Arms of St Joseph (SASJ), took charge of this task. I was part of TA’s support staff. Under the scorching heat of the sun, we moved from as far as Clemente Street in the north to Laguna Street in the south, assisting the cast of characters and reflecting too on what Jesus did for our sake.

The following year, SASJ gave TA full control of the devotion. From an ordinary support staff like Simon of Cyrene, I was appointed to design the procession’s route and the stations’ location. So one hot Sunday noon, after my service as commentator, Marvin Martinez and I rode on a side-car loaded with 14 pictures of the Way of the Cross and, without a really clear route, roamed along various streets, stopping at times to knock at several homes to ask if they could let their place serve as one of the stations. Most of these people were unknown to us. Luckily, they accepted our invitation. And so, that Good Friday, we managed to hold the devotion with quite a number of participants – some even volunteered to carry the image of the Nazareno. Aye Payod-Balla led in singing “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”, Marvin handled the sound system, to name a few. As we return to church, the number of people kept on coming.
Yet the most challenging task came when I was elected as Kagawad in 1997. After the October devotion’s successful inception in 1997, I proposed the Way of the Cross in the Barangay Council in 1998. After getting my colleagues’ nod, I started purchasing a complete set of the Way of the Cross (New Edition) plus prayer booklets. Like my previous experience in TA, I began to make a route (this time it was much clearer) and prospect residents (most of which I have already known). Once again people welcomed the event that was to be held every Friday of Lent at eight in the evening. In the next years that ensued, the devotion was held on Sundays to allow more residents to participate.

It was no joke to have organized such a popular devotion. You have to be in touch with people – fellow organizers, prospect homes, etc. You know how to trouble shoot situations like there’s no one to lead, the microphone went off, someone stepped on broken glass (or dog’s foul). Above all, you must stay in love with the devotion and look for ways how the devotion will remain relevant to people. During my term, we were able to lead a relief programme in cooperation with the Sisters of Charity. Families too were encouraged to share the task of being a ‘station home’ with neighbours. Some who did so were asked to remind us lest we go to the wrong house.

If you can, why don’t you join the Way of the Cross in Barangay 170, Sundays (there’s 3 more Sundays left!), 8:00pm? (Phone up Tita Luz Lina at 253-6540 for more details.) Don’t forget to include us in your prayers.

The Way of the Cross has been a journey of faith for me. I hope it has the same effect with you.

Together let us say, “We adore you, O Christ and we praise you because by your cross you have redeemed the world”.