Way of the Cross: praying for justice and for those who are suffering in our world

During the outdoor justice and peace Way of the Cross on Good Friday morning, Rob Blom carries the cross to Station 8, followed by pilgrims singing and praying through the streets of downtown Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

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By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Pilgrims sang and prayed on Good Friday morning, following the cross through the streets of downtown Saskatoon, recalling the Passion and death of Jesus Christ.

At each of the 14 stops of the scriptural Stations of the Cross first introduced by Pope St. John Paul II, representatives of various churches, groups and ministries read scripture, reflected on incidents on the day Jesus died, and connected his suffering to those suffering in our world today.

This is the 24th time that the Good Friday tradition has been held in Saskatoon, said organizer Myron Rogal, coordinator of the Office of Justice and Peace in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Julie LeBlanc led singing along the route. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatono News)

Station 1: Jesus on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-46) – Restorative justice

At the first station on the steps of the courthouse, Adriana Appleton, Executive Director of Micah Mission, reflected on the theme of remaining awake and accompanying those facing times of trial. Just as staying awake in the garden with Jesus was difficult for the disciples, the work of restorative justice can be daunting, she said.

“Walking with others in distress, offering compassion, companionship, and comfort are not for the faint hearted. It takes trust to be present with others, standing in solidarity with them. It takes great faith to believe our love makes a difference to those impacted by crime and incarceration.”

Appleton prayed: “May we walk alongside those facing trials, ensuring they are not forgotten in our communities or in our prayers. Guide us to foster understanding, reconciliation, and healing as we strive for a world rooted in love, empathy, and restoration.”

Station 1: praying for restorative justice. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

Station 2: Jesus, betrayed by Judas, is arrested (Luke 22:47-48) – Mental illness

After reading the passage about Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, Peter Oliver, Executive Director of the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHAS) reflected on how “we must not betray the mentally ill by offering them lethal injections,” saying “no to medically assisted death” and “yes to human dignity, compassion, care and support… yes to medical assistance in living.”

Station 2: praying that we not betray the medically ill, abandoning them to assisted death. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 3: Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66-71) – Hunger

At the third station, Celeste Woloschuk of St. Thomas More College Campus Ministry reflected on standing in solidarity with the humiliation of Christ – and standing in solidarity with those who are hungry, including students in Saskatoon.

“An alarming number of students face the impossible choice between paying tuition with the hope of security later, and paying for food and rent to meet immediate needs,” she said. “No one should be forced to go hungry, and especially not in the effort to receive an education.”

She prayed: “Lord, help us to hear the voice crying for justice, even if those cries come from places we may not have expected.”

Celeste Woloschuk of STM Campus Ministry carries the cross to the third station, where she offered a reflection on standing in solidarity with students who experience food insecurity. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 4: Peter denies Jesus (Luke 22:54-62) – Poverty

Reflecting on Peter’s denial of Jesus, Salvation Army Lead Chaplain Tyrone McKenzie reflected on denying Christ’s presence in those experiencing poverty.

“The face of poverty that I see among middle aged men includes being let go from work, increases in rent, illness/accident and injury, domestic disputes. These issues and more can be the last straw that leaves them broke and broken,” he said.

To quote a modern-day theologian – Bono – ‘God may well be with us in our mansions on the hill. I hope so… But the one thing we can all agree — is that God is with the vulnerable and poor. God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.’ ”

McKenzie prayed: “Jesus, it is so easy for us to deny your presence in those experiencing poverty. We ask that you enable us to identify with the poor, the oppressed, the widow, the orphan this Easter weekend, as we know that your heart is close to those experiencing poverty. The fact that You came from heaven to earth shows us that You identify with the poor. In Your incarnation and death, we see You Jesus, literally identifying with the poor and marginalized.

“You were born in a feeding trough. At Your circumcision, Mary and Joseph offered what was required of the poor. You said, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’ You were homeless. At the end of Your life, You rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, spent Your last evening in a borrowed room, and when You died, You were laid in a borrowed tomb. They cast lots for Your only possession, Your robe, and there on the cross You were stripped of everything.

“On this Good Friday, may we not deny You as we see you in the face of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, sick, and imprisoned. For as we acknowledge them, we acknowledge You, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lead Chaplain Tyrone McKenzie of the Salvation Army in Saskatoon carried the cross to the fourth station, where he reflected on how we deny the presence of Christ in the poor. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Station 5: Jesus is judged by Pilate (Luke 23:13-25) – Persecuted Christians

At the fifth station, Rubina Bhatti of Canadian Aid to Persecuted Christians reflected on the plight of those like Jesus who are wrongly accused of blasphemy.

“In countries like Pakistan, Christians face extreme levels of persecution and discrimination at schools, work and society at large for living the gospel,” she said. “They are denied their inherent human dignity, religious freedom, safety and security. These brothers and sisters in Christ are victims of abduction, forceful conversions and marriages of minor girls, sexual violence, harsh biased laws, imprisonment and death… Like Pilate, the political and justice systems fail to protect such innocent people and despite their ability and authority to do so, they opt to be the perpetrators.”

Bhatti prayed: “We lay before You all those who are victims of injustice and persecution and are anxious and fearful; that they may persevere in their struggles and find consolation, hope and courage. Bless those working to bring relief, recovery, peace and security to those persecuted and who are in desperate need. May the seed of Your love be planted in the hearts of their persecutors and move with compassion and mercy in Your mighty name.”

Rubina Bhatti of Canadian Aid to Persecuted Christians led the reflection and prayer at the fifth station. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 6: Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns  (Luke 22:63-65, John 19:2-3) – Human trafficking

Members of the Catholic Women’s League, including Diocesan CWL President Marion Laroque and members Yvonne Powell and Donna Aldous carried the cross to the sixth station, where they prayed and reflected on the scourge of human trafficking.

“The violence that our Savior suffered for us is repeated every day on the estimated 27 million people globally who are trapped in the evil of human trafficking. These victims are subjected to threats, forced confinement, beatings and sexual violence. Their masters make billions in profit each year.  Human trafficking occurs in every region of the world, and right here in Canada, to men, women and children of all ages,” they said, praying for courage to speak out for victims.

Members of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada prayed for victims of human trafficking at the sixth station. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 7: Jesus takes up the cross (Mark 15:20) – Victims of war

In a reflection at the seventh station, Michael LeBlanc, provincial animator for Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, recalled the death of two Caritas Jerusalem workers who were killed along with family members in an airstrike on Gaza this year.

He prayed: “Loving God, strengthen us in our resolve to put aside violence and take up the cause of peace. Help us on the path of forgiveness and reconciliation. Together with Pope Francis, we pray that our way of life will always be that of Shalom, Peace, Salaam; in Jerusalem, the city of peace, and everywhere.”

Development and Peace-Caritas Canada animator Michael LeBlanc carried the cross to the seventh station. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Station 8: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross (Luke 23:26) – Expectant mothers

At the eighth station marking the moment when Simon of Cyrene is called upon to help Jesus carry his cross, Anne-Marie Hughes of Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre reflected on carrying the cross with expectant mothers – some of whom are being exploited and trafficked. “Abortion, especially medication abortion, is often used as a tool of coercion to keep a woman in the business. A pregnancy is public, an abortion keeps the secret, especially with a minor.  We need to be a safe place where gentle words leave space for all stories and a request for help.”

She prayed: “May we have eyes to see those caught in slavery, whose lives have been captured for the use of others.”

Anne-Marie Hughes of Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre prays at the eighth station. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Station 9: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-31) – Love of neighbour

Senos Timon and a volunteer from Peoples Bridge Advocacy (PBA) led a reflection and prayer at the ninth station: “By seeing the Christ in each other, as PBA aims to do, we can overcome divisions and build communities based on mutual respect and solidarity. This echoes Jesus’ call to love our neighbours as ourselves, guiding us toward a more equitable society.”

Peoples Bridge Advocacy representatives led the reflection at the ninth station. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 10: Jesus is crucified (Luke 23:33,47) – War in Gaza

Rev. Dr. Sandra Beardsall, St. Andrew’s College Professor Emeritus, and a number of volunteers stood with the cross at the tenth station, where they reflected and prayed about those killed in the war on Gaza, and the challenge of not looking away. “Because Jesus walked this brutal path, in him, and in community with one another, we find the strength both to look and to act. We find the courage remember the dead, to aid the living, to cry for justice. And of course, to pray.”

Rev. Dr. Sandra Beardall prays for victims of the war in Gaza. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 11: Jesus promises his Kingdom to the good thief (Luke 23:33-34,39-43) – Racial divisions

Representatives of Our Lady of Guadalupe Indigenous Catholic Parish in Saskatoon led prayers and reflection at the eleventh station about the damage of racism and stereotyping.

“With each false accusation we make, and with each stereotype we hear uttered and do not challenge, we drive another nail into Jesus’ flesh and bone, and we know the pain it causes all our relatives and we do bear responsibility and know it,” said Sandra Harper. “With each falsehood, with each thoughtless remark we make, we set back the hope for reconciliation yet further.”

Debbie Ledoux prayed: “Move us to seek reconciliation with one another, for as Christ instructs us, blessed are the peacemakers.  Incline our tired gaze towards the cross that propels us to walk alongside our neighbours, seeking justice towards a lasting peace.”

Representatives of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon reflect and pray at the eleventh station. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 12: Jesus on the cross, his mother and his disciple (John 19:25b-27) – Divided families

Deacon Yunan Jalbir, Paul Aziz and other volunteers from Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church reflected on the pain of Christians from Iraq waiting for reunification with family members after fleeing their homeland to escape violence, war and persecution – including a prayer in the language that Jesus himself spoke.

“Lord, we pray for our dear Christian families all over the world who are displaced and suffering out of love for You.”

Deacon Yunan Jalbir and Paul Aziz of Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church carried the cross to the twelfth station. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 13: Jesus dies on the cross (Luke 23:44-46) – Silent reflection

Members of the Knights of Columbus carried the cross to the thirteenth station, reading the scripture and standing with the cross during a time of silent reflection, before Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon took up the cross to carry it to the final station on the steps of St. Paul Co-Cathedral.

Knights of Columbus representatives read the scripture at the thirteenth station, followed by a time of silence. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Station 14: Jesus is placed in the tomb (Luke 23:50-54) – Reflection and Benediction

After reading the scripture verses about Jesus’ burial, Bishop Mark Hagemoen reflected “Jesus’ story does not end here, in the tomb of Good Friday. Our story does not end in tragedy and despair. We need not flee like the disciples in fear for the future, because we know as people of faith that Jesus will rise from this tomb, and so we live in faith and hope that we too will rise with Christ on the last day.”

The bishop then prayed for all who suffer: “For the hungry and the homeless, the deprived and the oppressed, for the sick, the wounded, and the handicapped, for those in loneliness and in fear, for those in confusion, doubt, and despair, for the sorrowful and bereaved, for prisoners, and all at the point of death, that God’s love will comfort and sustain them, and that we may be stirred up to minister to them.”

After inviting all those assembled to pray the Lord’s Prayer in their own language, Bishop Hagemoen offered a blessing to conclude the event.

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(Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos/ca )