YOUTH WAY OF THE CROSS
Peterborough
Good Friday March 25th, 2005

Good Friday this year (March 25th) will see a Youth Way of the Cross in the City of Peterborough, the first of its kind in our Diocese, organized by the Diocesan Youth Office for youth, young adults and, indeed, anyone interested to attend. It will be a day-long observance by our young people of one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar and include prayer, music, reflection, witnessing and an outdoor performance of the 14 Stations of the Way of the Cross.

The Good Friday Celebration is to start at St. Peter’s Cathedral with a prayer service led by Bishop De Angelis. After the opening service we will move out onto the street and begin the Stations on the steps of the Cathedral. From there we shall process down Hunter Street, stopping on the way at pretty much every intersection through the city for the performance of the remaining Stations. The procession will move through the city center to east city and end before Immaculate Conception Church where we shall observe the last four Stations of the Way of the Cross.

The script for the Stations is the one written by Pope John Paul II for the Jubilee Year 2000, which was also used for the memorable Way of the Cross at World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002 down University Avenue. Each Station will include re-enactment of the historical event as well as an interpretive symbolic action sequence. Music and song will accompany us from one Station to the next.

Following the Way of the Cross lunch would be served in the hall of Immaculate Conception Church which will be followed by a time of music, reflection and youth witnessing. At 3 pm we shall join the Good Friday Service of the parish. Those of the young people who wish to join their families in their own home parishes for the 3 pm Service would, of course, be free to do so. The day will conclude with the end of the Good Friday Service.

As for the technical side, City Police will look after traffic and security on the way from the Cathedral to Immaculate Conception Church, and volunteers will make sure the procession itself will run smoothly.

This Youth Way of the Cross is truly a very exciting new project for the Youth Office and, the great thing about it is that it was young people themselves who came up with the idea. They deserve our support, prayers and admiration for what they are trying to do and for being willing to show their faith in such a visible and public manner. If you wish to help out in any way, which would be greatly appreciated, please contact the Office.

Join our young people this Good Friday and commemorate the Passion of Our Lord in a new way.