This past Good Friday, our parish community offered two ways to celebrate the Passion of the Lord. Our Latino community put on an elaborate Passion Play at 3pm, the time of the crucifixion of Christ. The Passion Play was done in both English and Spanish, and offered an accurate portrayal of the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion. Following are photos from wonderfully acted passion play at Church of the Incarnation in Charlottesville:
Christ on Trial
- Crown of thorns for Christ
Jesus carrying the cross
The devotions to the Stations of the Cross was also offered by Casa Alma (The Charlottesville Catholic Worker) on the Downtown Mall for the first time. It was wonderful to see so many people moved on the Downtown Mall with devotions to the 14 Stations and singing hymns on a such a beautiful day. These Stations of the Cross were a version that focused on social justice, just as Dorothy Day did through her works of mercy. The group stopped and prayed at significant social justice sites in the downtown area: The Haven homeless refuge, Robert E. Lee Statue, Soup Kitchen at Holy Comforter Catholic Church, and the Free Speech Monument.
Stations of the Cross at Federal Courthouse
Stations of the Cross in front of The Haven
Prayers for more peaceful times.
Prayers at The Free Speech Monument
GOOD FRIDAY & THE HOLY LAND
Please remember to help give donations to the Franciscans on Good Friday who are given custody to take care of the Holy Sites and assist with the Christian communities of The Holy Land.
Being Good Friday, the legend of the Dogwood comes to mind. Here in Virginia, the Dogwood is revered as the State Tree, State Flower, and Charlottesville has its annual Dogwood Festival coming up April 12-28, 2012.
THE LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD
At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus’ cross.
To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. “Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.
“In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember.”
LINKS
Casa Alma (Charlottesville Catholic Worker)
Charlottesville’s Dogwood Festival
Franciscans Good Friday Collection for The Holy Land
