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Living the Stations

The Stations of the Cross follow the path of Jesus from Pilate’s praetorium to his tomb. Tradition tells us that the Blessed Mother visited the scenes of Jesus’ final journey every day. After the legalization of Christianity in AD 313 the pathway, Via Dolorosa, was marked with its important stations. As churches began to pop up all over Europe, there was an increased desire to reproduce these holy places so that pilgrims would not have to actually travel to the Holy Land. For the sick or elderly people was often difficult and burdensome.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

If you have plans to visit Jerusalem, I can highly recommend walking in the final steps of Jesus. It can be very moving. If you can’t make the trip to Jerusalem you can walk with Jesus in the comfort of your local church where you will find the Stations of the Cross hanging on the wall. With the help of texts and your own private intentions, meditating of these scenes can bring a person enormous strength and peace.

Local Artist Fritz Kunz

Good Shepherd’s received her Stations of the Cross during Holy Week in 1942.They were painted by the Zug artist Fritz Kunz who happened to live in Good Shepherd's parish. The paintings are incredibly simple yet expressive and emotional. They invite us to share Jesus’ suffering and draw strength from his hour of weakness. Simon of Cyrene (Station Five) is an example of how we can incorporate Jesus’ journey into our daily life. His suffering becomes our strength and we give this strength to others as we help them carry their crosses.

Homework

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross are especially popular during Lent. We are offering a reflection on the fourteen Stations of the Cross on Tuesday evenings from March 3rd through April 7th at 19:00 in our Church. The narrative is in English with printed versions in German. Everyone is invtied to participate or to simply be led through Jesus' final earthly journey.