(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash.
MADISON — Each Saturday, just a few blocks away from the classic Madison tradition of the farmer’s market, groups of people are coming to pray at the former site of St. Raphael Cathedral.
Back in 2005, St. Raphael Cathedral was destroyed by fire. During the interim period until a new cathedral is built on the same site, the Cathedral Parish wanted to preserve the area as a sacred place. Its current use is for praying the Stations of the Cross and offering a place of beauty for prayer, reflection, or rest.
The site
The site, called The Way of the Cross at Cathedral Square, was solemnly blessed by Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison on September 14, 2012.
Starting this past spring, it has been in use for the public praying of the Stations weekly at 9 a.m. each Saturday.
This summer, seminarians from the diocese have been leading the Stations. One of them, Gabriel Lopez-Betanzos, is interning this summer at the Cathedral Parish, and has led most of the Stations.
“Despite all of the activity around it, the Cathedral site itself is fairly tranquil,” said Lopez-Betanzos. “And there’s something to be said about quietly witnessing to the faith in a public setting.”
The journey
The entrance and starting point is located at the corner of W. Washington Ave. and S. Henry St. in downtown Madison.
The garden near the entrance recalls the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before his arrest. Praying the Stations, following a winding path, there are 14 stone crosses in the ground — one for every Station of the Cross, or moments in the story of Jesus’ suffering and death that have been remembered with devotion for 20 centuries.
The garden at the last Station signifies the garden in which the Lord’s tomb was located.
“There’s definitely a sense that the place is set aside for sacred use,” said Lopez-Betanzos. “The location lends itself to praying for all the people of the diocese, for the construction of the new cathedral, and for all the people who are passing by as we pray. Even though we’re ‘between cathedrals,’ we’re still using the site for prayer.”
“I would encourage anyone who’s interested to give it a try,” he added. “Besides Mass, most of us do not pray with others very much. This is a great opportunity for public, communal prayer.”
The future
Along with an increase in prayer, the parish’s vision is “that the growth of the trees and shrubs that have been planted and further embellishment of the site will make it an increasingly beautiful gift of green space to all our neighbors and a cherished place of devotion to Catholics and all believers.”
The parish is hoping for help to improve the grounds and garden area. Volunteer time, donations, and gifts are needed.
Some of the items needed include: hoses, sprinklers, shovels, and wheelbarrows. More information, including a volunteer sign-up sheet, can be found on the Way of the Cross website at www.isthmuscatholic.org/wayofcross