My First Stations of the Cross-Kind of Dissapointed

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I attended my very first Stations of the Cross at my parish. I was so looking forward to it as a spiritual devotion. I went by myself without my wife and children. It was held a bit late so I went alone to pray it.

The devotion was held by our parish’s social justice committee. As I said, I was disappointed because each meditation at each station was basically a reflection on a perceived social injustice from should I say the left wing side of politics. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I just expected much more spirituality. Specifically, reflecting on Jesus’s suffering and his love for us.

The meditations was how bad the American criminal justice system was, the inequity of the sexes, global warming, that kind of thing…

to each his own but again, I expected different.

What really did not feel right is when the leader prayed
“we adore you O Christ and we praise you”

we responded, by your Holy Cross HELP US SAVE the world.

I don’t know, maybe I am wrong but it felt shallow and not spiritual.
 
talk to the priest and let him know about your disappointment. We had a lovely stations with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the end.
 
thanks I don’t think I want to bother our Priest with this but now that I know more or less how it is prayed. I think I will take a more traditional approach and this time I will take my Children and wife.
 
More often than not, I have seen the traditional version done which is my favorite. We had one last year that was all about getting old and dying which was sponsored and led by our parish women’s group. I didn’t really care for that one, though that could change as I age I guess. Tonight we had the traditional version which focused entirely on the sufferings and resurrection of Christ.
 
Been there, done that. Could hardly stand it, will never repeat it.

I did send a harshly worded email to the pastor, who forwarded it to the leader of said 'Social Justice" Stations of the Cross. It had been even harsher, but I saved it as a draft for about three days then editted it. The one intention that*** really*** irked me was Overpopulation. The world is not overpopulated, the problem is inequitable distribution of resources. The Catholic Church is not pushing population control.

I actually got a reply, that agreed with me, and apologized for not seeing that. The theme or whatever it’s called was apparently Lutheran in origin or something, and I was assured they would change that particular meditation next year.
 
Our stations was just great! No priest was available so it was done by a Lay leader, who did a great job. Our Parish uses the St. Frances Ligouri (sp) version. Someday, maybe we can say them in latin. Stations were proceeded by a Soup Supper in the hall.

Looking forward to next Friday. 👍
 
I understand. what really bother me the most was how the prayers reflected the attention away from Jesus.

help us save the world…
 
corsair said:
Our Parish uses the St. Frances Ligouri (sp) version.
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I think you meant the St. Alphonsus Ligouri version (although I think there is a St. Francis of Assisi version also). For me, doing the St. Alphonsus Ligouri’s Stations of the Cross while singing the Sabat Mater after each station is one of the major highlights of my Lenten observance.
 
Our Priest wrote his own devotion, and I must say it was moving. He had hand outs for all of us and there were a few times I teared up.
 
EricFilmer said:
I think you meant the St. Alphonsus Ligouri version (although I think there is a St. Francis of Assisi version also). For me, doing the St. Alphonsus Ligouri’s Stations of the Cross while singing the Sabat Mater after each station is one of the major highlights of my Lenten observance.
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This is the one my parish prays; it’s really beautiful. I also love using the one in “My Prayer Book” by Fr. Lasance.
 
Our parish priest prayed the St. Alphonsus Ligouri version as well and I didn’t even know it was called that. 😊 We alternated stations from English to Spanish. Really beautiful!

I feel for you Carlos! I am a revert so I just could not have put up with that. I think I would have left and went to another parish nearby.
 
Have you heard of the latest social injustice? Lesbians are getting older an ending up in nursing homes. The good folks there are dressing the Lesbian in feminine attire, which makes them extremely uncomfortable.:doh2:
 
Albino_Luciani said:
Have you heard of the latest social injustice? Lesbians are getting older an ending up in nursing homes. The good folks there are dressing the Lesbian in feminine attire, which makes them extremely uncomfortable.:doh2:
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This is not very charitable… Perhaps you should reconsider this post. 🙂
 
carlos19 said:
I attended my very first Stations of the Cross at my parish. I was so looking forward to it as a spiritual devotion. I went by myself without my wife and children. It was held a bit late so I went alone to pray it.

The devotion was held by our parish’s social justice committee. As I said, I was disappointed because each meditation at each station was basically a reflection on a perceived social injustice from should I say the left wing side of politics. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I just expected much more spirituality. Specifically, reflecting on Jesus’s suffering and his love for us.

The meditations was how bad the American criminal justice system was, the inequity of the sexes, global warming, that kind of thing…

to each his own but again, I expected different.

What really did not feel right is when the leader prayed
“we adore you O Christ and we praise you”

we responded, by your Holy Cross HELP US SAVE the world.

I don’t know, maybe I am wrong but it felt shallow and not spiritual.
Click to expand...
Are you a new convert? I guess you know now…the Church is in crisis. To preserve your faith (and your sanity) I’d suggest that you get yourself to a parish that offers the Traditional Latin Mass (and is approved by Rome) or an Eastern Catholic Church. (Note that the Eastern Catholics don’t have Stations of the Cross as part of their tradition but they have other equivalent devotional services for Lent).
 
carlos19 said:
I don’t know, maybe I am wrong but it felt shallow and not spiritual.
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Sounds like it was. We can call a spade a spade.

Unfortunately, some people see the Faith as a means to building a social utopia rather than our ladder to Heaven. The same folks usually think that the greatest poverty in America is found in the down-trodden inner cities, missing the spiritual emptiness that permeates our popular culture, sporting events, offices, and universities. I can’t know their faith but such actions bespeak a materialistic worldview (I mean secular, not consumeristic).

Not all parishes are like that. If you find this attitude is pervasive among the leaders of your parish, for your children’s sake, don’t living with it. They’ll grow up fast, and shallow spirituality is no bulwark against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
 
Tradycja said:
Are you a new convert? I guess you know now…the Church is in crisis. To preserve your faith (and your sanity) I’d suggest that you get yourself to a parish that offers the Traditional Latin Mass (and is approved by Rome) or an Eastern Catholic Church. (Note that the Eastern Catholics don’t have Stations of the Cross as part of their tradition but they have other equivalent devotional services for Lent).
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I am actually a revert who was poorly catechized the first time around. Been back for about over a year
 
Tradycja said:
Are you a new convert? I guess you know now…the Church is in crisis. To preserve your faith (and your sanity) I’d suggest that you get yourself to a parish that offers the Traditional Latin Mass (and is approved by Rome) or an Eastern Catholic Church. (Note that the Eastern Catholics don’t have Stations of the Cross as part of their tradition but they have other equivalent devotional services for Lent).
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While I have no problem with either the EF of the Mass or the Eastern Church, to suggest that the OP cannot find reverent devotional practice at a parish offering the OF of the Mass is completely incorrect.
 
I would have been truly disappointed, too.

I dearly love the Stations of the Cross and I think that the version we do is St. Alphonsus Ligouri’s, too. I find that the Stations of the Cross and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary deepen my love for Our Lord, Our Lady, and everything else about the Catholic Faith.

I’m glad that your children were not there.
 
Rich_C said:
Sounds like it was. We can call a spade a spade.

Unfortunately, some people see the Faith as a means to building a social utopia rather than our ladder to Heaven. The same folks usually think that the greatest poverty in America is found in the down-trodden inner cities, missing the spiritual emptiness that permeates our popular culture, sporting events, offices, and universities. I can’t know their faith but such actions bespeak a materialistic worldview (I mean secular, not consumeristic).

Not all parishes are like that. If you find this attitude is pervasive among the leaders of your parish, for your children’s sake, don’t living with it. They’ll grow up fast, and shallow spirituality is no bulwark against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
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Good post, in my opinion. A good bulwark might be seen also as a healthy disappointment and dissatisfaction with anything that promises or is hoped for as a means of transforming earth into a seventh heaven (see Dark Night Of The Soul?). Its good to get joy, but during this season I for one, usually experience a mixture of emotins and feelings. God gives his grace not only to whom he chooses but when he chooses. Can’t force Him, ever.

Does this sound in the spirit of following up on what you were saying in your post?
 
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