A Way of the Cross in Our Time

The Vow made by St Paul of the Cross in 1720 in the Basilica of St Mary Major, kneeling before the Icon of Santa Maria Nives (Salus Populi Romani) was that he might "keep alive the Living Memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ and gather Companions."

These together shape the Mission of Passionists today. They also shape our Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2008 and the Young Passionist Encounter that will precede it.

One key question that many countries are struggling with is "Who's Missing in the Church Today?" It for some it becomes a time of inward focus and it leaves an empty feel in the belly. But for some of us, our question needs to be promoted more, namely: "Who's present in the Church today?" Of course the answer is: "We are?" Yes, we are the Church, gathered and ungathered, risen and crucified. As Jesus said: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them."

So rather than chasing the numbers, or even counting the numbers, this World Youth Day is an opportunity for our Passionist Youths to be encouraged in the Encounter with one another. As Jesus asked Simon of Cyrene "Will you help me carry my Cross", Jesus asks all of us to look around and see the people who need us to help them carry their Cross today. And having looked around and discovered the faces of those struggling with the load of life, we are challenged by the Crucified Jesus to take up this Cross.

IMMERSION EXPERIENCES

In preparing for the Passionist Youth Encounter that will lead us to Melbourne and Sydney, lets take time to walk with others and help them carry their load a little. We invite all pilgrims to seek an opportunity to do this for 40 or more hours, and to write up this experience in their journal. For some they will seek this opportunity in their own city. For others they will seek this in another Country or Region doing Summer Service.

As you undertake this service, record your experiences and feelings in your journal. After a time you may wish to share some of this with a prayer companion, or one of the other pilgrims travelling to WYD with your group.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

. Who are some of the people you know who are carrying heavy loads (crosses) at this time?

. When you look around at your peer group, is there someone you would hope might join us on this Pilgrimage?

The Vow made by St Paul of the Cross in 1720 in the Basilica of St Mary Major, kneeling before the Icon of Santa Maria Nives (Salus Populi Romani) was that he might "keep alive the Living Memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ and gather Companions."

These together shape the Mission of Passionists today. They also shape our Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2008 and the Young Passionist Encounter that will precede it.

One key question that many countries are struggling with is "Who's Missing in the Church Today?" It for some it becomes a time of inward focus and it leaves an empty feel in the belly. But for some of us, our question needs to be promoted more, namely: "Who's present in the Church today?" Of course the answer is: "We are?" Yes, we are the Church, gathered and ungathered, risen and crucified. As Jesus said: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them."

IMMERSION EXPERIENCES

In preparing for the Passionist Youth Encounter that will lead us to Melbourne and Sydney, lets take time to walk with others and help them carry their load a little. We invite all pilgrims to seek an opportunity to do this for 40 or more hours, and to write up this experience in their journal. For some they will seek this opportunity in their own city. For others they will seek this in another Country or Region doing Summer Service. As you undertake this service, record your experiences and feelings in your journal. After a time you may wish to share some of this with a prayer companion, or one of the other pilgrims travelling to WYD with your group.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

• Who are some of the people you know who are carrying heavy loads (crosses) at this time?


• When you look around at your peer group, is there someone you would hope might join us on this Pilgrimage?

by John Pearce CP
john.pearce@passionists.com