The streets of Jerusalem in Manchester

Praying the stations of the cross at St. Mary Church in Manchester.

submitted by St. Mary Parish Office

On Friday, March 10, the people of St. Mary Church in Manchester invite their friends and neighbors to step back in time and enter into a powerful moment of history!

Throughout the centuries, Christians around the world have remembered in a special way the journey Jesus walked on His way to the cross. Once, only pilgrims on the streets of Jerusalem were able to follow this journey. But by the 1600s, “stations,” i.e. points along the way, were described by Christians and in Catholic Churches began to be represented along the walls of Churches, and the faithful prayerfully reflected at each Station on the profound meaning of this journey.

Our Catholic Church here in Manchester has lovely artwork on the walls along the perimeter of the interior of the Church that illustrates each Station. And all throughout Lent, St. Mary has special services for Christians to pray together “The Way of the Cross,“ considering the meaning of each Station.

On Friday, March 10, at 7:30pm, the people of St. Mary invite their friends and neighbors, no matter what religious tradition, to join them as they pray this “Way of the Cross.” This simple and meditative prayer service will be led by Fr. Bosco. Prayer booklets will be provided. All may join in the prayers, or you may simply watch and follow along. The key element is simply to “consider.”

St. Mary is the lovely little fieldstone church located in the Village just west of downtown, directly across from the Gazebo. For more information, please call the parish office at (734) 428-8811.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.