At the Good Friday Pax Christi Stations of the Cross through Manhattan

The 14 stations of the Cross a Catholic devotion (not completely biblical) that retraces Jesus’ steps from his condemnation to his crucifixion and death. Pax Christi is the (or one of the) Catholic peace organizations. When Brigid and I started doing the Stations in the early 90’s it would draw 800-900 people and get coverage from local news and television media. It was while doing them that we first met Dan Berrigan as well as Martin Sheen (a year or two before Sheen became President in The West Wing).

Unfortunately the event has really shrunk in recent years; there were only about 200 people and no media coverage which we saw.

I went with my friend Mary and arrived at the sixth station, which was sponsored and presented by Fordham Prep right outside of Grand Central (The Stations begin near the U.N. and go across 42nd. street). Since that’s where Joe went to school I videoed part of it and will post it in a day or two.

Meanwhile here are a few pictures.

The Sixth Station  outside of Grand Central. The Stations are presented with a scripture reading, commentary on sponsor’s theme (Fordham Prep, in this case homelessness – appropriate since NYC has a record # of homeless right now) and some music/hymns.

The Cross is carried by various people at the front. The great thing about this event – prayerful people in the middle of the city and seen by thousands of other NY’ers.

Across from Bryant Park – the theme was a very good one – clean water and it’s shortage in many places in the world

From the other side of the street – Grace Building in the background. That unfortunately is the entire length of the participants.

As is sometimes the custom a 15th Station is added – the Resurrection. This was done by Cristo Rey NY High School. Nice job by the students.

Tom and Mary (Cross is growing out of her head – very Holy, Mary!) with the sun in their faces – definitely a Good Event to do on Good Friday. About 15 years ago a group of us from our Parish did one of the Stations – the theme was opposition to cloning and embryonic stem cell research. Maybe we’ll do one next year on another topic.