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| A screenshot of the Stations of the Cross YouTube video produced by the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison. The video is available during Lent. (YouTube image) |
MADISON — During most seasons of Lent, it is a devotional tradition to pray the Stations of the Cross.
During typical years, parishes in the Diocese of Madison will host praying of the Stations at their churches where many gather to pray them together.
This year, with many people not entering church buildings due to health concerns and restrictions on the number of people allowed to be in a building at the same time, the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison has produced a YouTube video that gives everyone the opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross from their own homes or elsewhere through the blessings of technology.
Video contents
It’s called the “Stations of the Cross presented by the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison”.
The nearly 24-minute video begins with a reflection from Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.
“As we pray the Stations of the Cross, we participate and share in Jesus’s suffering and death,” he says in part of the reflection.Following these words, there is musical accompaniment, with the words on-screen for those who want to sing along.
Msgr. Larry Bakke, director of the Apostolate, leads an opening prayer which was recorded in the oratory at Holy Name Heights in Madison.
Following that, each Station is introduced.
The sung responses are featured in the video for each Station, along with the words for the on-screen as well.
Each Station features a picture of its corresponding artwork from All Saints Parish in Berlin.
Volunteers from the Diocese of Madison read reflections for each Station.
The viewer is able to follow along on the journey of Christ’s Crucifixion from the First Station — Jesus is sentenced to death — to the 14th Station — Jesus’ mother and friends lay his body in the tomb.
At the end of the final Station, Monsignor Bakke leads a concluding prayer for all those who have taken part in the devotional journey.
Pray the Stations
The Apostolate invites everyone to view the video and pray along with the Stations during this season of Lent.
It will remain up during Lent and is available to be prayed with at any time.
To view the video and pray along with it, go to YouTube, either via the Web or an app, and search for “Stations of the Cross presented by the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison.”
The Apostolate also encourages people to share the video with others and spread the word about its availability.
The video is also pinned to the top of the Catholic Herald Facebook and Twitter pages.