MICHIGAN CITY – The seven last words of Christ will be the focus of a Lenten devotion sponsored by the four Michigan City Catholic churches on Saturday, April 12.
The first-time event will start at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church beginning at 10 a.m. with veneration of a relic of the true cross of Christ.
Father Walter Ciesla, pastor, shared how the parish traditionally brings out the relic of the cross on Palm Sunday for veneration but will make it available for the event.
Father Ciesla feels the procession will give those attending a sense of community.
“I think it will be very helpful because it will bring the city together,” he said.
Beginning at St. Stanislaus, the procession will move to St. Mary the Immaculate Conception, then Queen of All Saints before concluding at Notre Dame Catholic Church.
“The idea of doing this together as a Catholic community of Michigan City really is appropriate because it pulls us together in the spirit of love, and in the spirit of Lent to meditate on the seven last words of Christ, which are a powerful means of mediation and prayer,” said Lucia Bim-Merle, QAS pastoral associate.
“It is a beautiful opportunity to dive deeper into what Jesus was saying to us in those last moments of his life and to really pray about that. It will help set the tone for our experience of Lent, and in particular, Holy Week,” she added.
All but one church will host two of the “Words” read by a clergy member, followed by a reflection. The community will join in with a prayer after each “Word.” Each stop will be no longer than 30 minutes.
Participants will need to provide their own transportation.
Father Ciesla will lead the group with the first and second words that include, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) and “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
At St. Mary, Father Jordan Fetcko will share the third words spoken by Christ, “Woman, behold, your son. . . Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26–27) followed by Father Zachary Glick with “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34)
Father David Kime, QAS pastor, will lead the group with the fifth and sixth words, “I thirst.” (John 19:28) and “It is finished.” (John 19:30).
The journey will finish at Notre Dame parish with Deacon Doug Noveroske sharing the seventh word, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46).
Bim-Merle feels the various clergy will allow those attending to have a deeper experience. “It’s a beautiful way to share this experience from the perspectives and the spiritual reflections of the different clergy who lead our faithful in Michigan City. It allows us to really experience their gifts of preaching and sharing the messages of the Lord. It will make the experience all the more beautiful and to have all the faithful participate.”
She added, “If people haven’t prayed or experienced the seven last words, I highly invite them to do this because it is beautiful to hear what our Lord said to us during his dying moments and how powerful and meaningful they are.”
