Stations Of The Cross

Service Summary

Good Friday Stations of the Cross, joint service with Canterbury and CCM.

Details

The Good Friday liturgy consists of the Stations of the Cross, which is conducted on a route from Bruton, through campus, and to the Catholic chapel at St. Bede’s. This service is done in conjunction with the Catholic students, though other groups such as the Lutherans may be invited. The service typically begins at 3 PM.

Several weeks in advance, a permit must be filed with the City of Williamsburg to provide police support when crossing Boundary Street and to conform to city code. This permit may be found at: http://www.ci.williamsburg.va.us/dept/manager/special.pdf. The contact person should be Mike Wanless, the Bruton facilities manager. He will also file the permit, so, once completed, the permit should be given to him. The service typically gets up to 100 participants; however, it is important that the estimated attendance as reported on the permit should be slightly less (80-90). Any more will require additional paperwork. The map included below should be attached to the permit to show the route.

Service bulletins for the Stations of the Cross should be in the Canterbury room. About 100 should be printed for use in the service. A copy of the Stations of the Cross liturgy is located in the appendix of this guide. Also included is a copy of the Taizé chant used during the service. This has been printed in all existing copies of the Stations of the Cross bulletin. Check the number of existing bulletins in advance, as it takes a while to print and assemble the bulletin.

A large wooden cross is carried during the service. Contact Mike Wanless and ensure this has been moved into the basement of Bruton Parish Church in time for the service. Make sure a wheelchair ramp is ready at St. Bede’s in case any participants need it for the concluding prayers. If possible, the Canterbury van should be parked at St. Bede’s so someone may transport any elderly parishioners back to Bruton after the service.

In the past, the fourteen stations have been split between Canterbury and the Catholics. If more groups wish to participate, further divide the readings. Specific stations do not need to be assigned until the service, though they could be if desired. Make sure, however, that groups supplying readers confirm the number of readers they have designated for the service. Usually Canterbury does not have enough readers to cover all stations.

This service is outdoors, and is well attended. Readers absolutely must shout their readings and make a tremendous effort to project. In some locations, it is difficult to gather everyone in a tight space around the cross. Effort should be made to have people circle around the cross, not simply stand in front of it, which should make reading a little easier. However, there have been huge problems in the past of readers not understanding exactly how loud one must be. Have a veteran Canterbury reader assigned to the first station and set a strong example. Throughout the contact process with outside groups and at the service itself, emphasize the need to shout.

The service will likely be led by the chaplain, and a police escort will assist us on Duke of Gloucester Street and across into campus. In case of rain, the best option is to hold the service in Bruton Parish Church.

Date or Feast Day

Good Friday, 3PM

Who is needed

Fourteen readers: seven each from Canterbury and CCM. An officiant, typically the Canterbury Chaplain.

What is needed

  • 100 bulletins
  • Permit with city, submitted several weeks in advance
  • Large wood processional cross

What worked

What did not work

Things to change

Comments

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