Via Dolorosa

WAY OF THE CROSS

Growing up as a young lad in Goa in the 1950’s, I accompanied my mother every week to the village chapel in the evening to attend the ‘Way of the Cross’ during the Lenten season. On some days young boys and girls took turns as either the one who carried the crucifix or the candles on each side, stopping at the series of pictures of the Stations of the Cross, also called Via Sacra, Via Crucis, Way of the Cross and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations in Christ’s journey to Mount Calvary.

Taken in the general sense, the Stations are represented differently in many chapels and churches in Goa. Some may be of stone, wood, or metal, sculptured or carved, or they may be merely paintings or engravings. Some Stations are valuable works of art along pathways leading to chapels or churches on the hills.

The 14 stations are usually ranged at intervals around the walls of chapels and churches. In the open air they can be found on roads leading to a church or shrine.

Bottom far left in the picture above: Fifth Station of the Cross leading to the Shrine of Fr. Agnel, Pilar Seminary hillock, Goa. ~ Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross. Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.