Stations in the Dogwoods

This morning we awoke to the boys plan to have a living Stations of the Cross. Each year we place large pictures of the 14 stations throughout our property on Good Friday to allow the family to meditate on the Passion of the Lord.  However, we have never tried to re-enact the message before.  I was thrilled to hear the boys taking this initiative.

I had also wanted to have home-made pretzels for when we returned from this meditation, so I had Sean and Brendan help me make the dough.  It was good that we started out early because after cleaning the kitchen to have the work space we needed, it was already late into the morning.  However, everyone tried their hand at pretzel making and the special snack turned out well.  Even Zaira tried her hand at making a a pretzel (with Michael's help!)

This was done just in time to head out to the stations.  We were led through the dogwoods by Michael.  He and I led the prayers and reflections while the boys acted out the various scenes of the Passion.  Michael, Zaira and I were brought in only as needed.

The first station...Jesus is condemned to death...Michael was enlisted as Pontius Pilate.

The second station...Jesus takes up his cross...Henry was our Jesus for this re-enactment, while Edward took on the role of the Roman soldier.

The third station...Jesus falls for the first time.

The fourth station...Jesus meets his mother...Don't be fooled...Zaira is playing the part of Mary!

The fifth station...Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross...there is some dispute of who played the part of Simon...Brendan is convinced he was Simon and Sean was Rufus...we did not have the heart to tell him that he could barely reach the cross even on tippy-toe!

The sixth station..Veronica wipes the face of Jesus...I was given this special honor to wipe the face of Jesus...very powerful message!

The seventh station...Jesus falls for the second time...we reflect at each of these falls about how we way Jesus down with our sins.

The eighth station...Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem...I might have gotten a little carried away in the drama but it was so good to feel a part of the story...it really did bring new meaning to the experience.

The ninth station...Jesus fall for the third time.

The tenth station...Jesus is stripped of his garments...I was surprised to see actually marks across Jesus' (Henry's) back...when I asked about it...he told me he had Sen do that so it would look real.

The eleventh station...Jesus is nailed to the cross...Does it not look real?

The twelfth station...Jesus dies on the cross...when Zaira had Henry placed in her 'arms' she seemed very concerned...she reached out and touched his face...it made me think that Mary most likely did the same thing...wondering how any thing so terrible could happen to her innocent Son.

The thirteenth station...Jesus is taken down from the cross...the boys taped a plastic bag on his chest so Edward could spear him and look like water came from his side...pretty creative!

The fourteenth station...Jesus is laid in the tomb...Sean did a great job as Joseph of Arimathea...gently wrapping Henry in the tomb.  Edward and Brendan took the initiative to be the Roman guards that guarded the tomb...and Henry took the opportunity to continue the story by surprising the guards as he rose from the dead!

We decided to take it a step further and show the joy of the empty tomb for Easter.  I thought that was a good idea since I am now signing off from my computer until after Easter Sunday.  It was wonderful to see their joy in this presentation and I am sure they will remember this experience for years to come.

Oh...almost forgot to add that we were able to go to Veneration of the Cross later in the day.  Edward and Henry served on the altar and it was a memorable occasion for them as this was a first.  It really does change the experience when you are able to be at or near the altar during this special time of the year.