Anal Catholics carry out 15-km-long Way of the Cross prayer service

Chandel, April 18: The Anal Catholic community in Chandel district carried out a 15-km long Way of the Cross prayer service from Mary Immaculate Church in Anal Khullen to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lamphoupasna village on Friday. The Way of the Cross was carried out as part of the worldwide Good Friday service observed by Catholics.

And though Good Friday is observed by all Christians across the globe, marking the condemnation, eventual crucifixion and death of Jesus, it is predominantly the Catholics who conduct the Way of the Cross prayer service.

Numbering in hundreds, the Anal Catholic community from Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lamphoupasna; St. George Church, Lamphou Charu; St. Thomas Church, Beru-Anthi; St. John Church, Anal Khunou/Y Khutha village; Christ the King Church, Thungcheng; Sacred Heart Church, Beru-Unopat and Mary Immaculate Church, Anal Khullen took part in the service.

The service began at 8:00 AM in Anal Khullen and reached the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lamphoupasna village around 1:15 PM after a long 5-hour journey of prayer on foot. During the journey, leaders from the various Anal Catholic Churches including the Catechists led in prayers at each stations of the way of the Cross, which is 14 in all.

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Each station of the Way of the Cross depicts a major or important event in the journey of Jesus Christ as He carried the Cross from Jerusalem to Mount Calvary (Golgatha) which is outside the city where He was eventually nailed to the Cross and crucified. The stations begin with the condemnation of Jesus to his burial.

As the faithful walked with Jesus, they sang hymns and prayed the Holy Rosary between each station. And upon arriving at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lamphoupasna village after over 5 hours on foot, Fr. Jose SDB, Priest in-charge of St. Dominic Mission Centre, Lamphoupasna led in the Veneration of the Cross.

This is the first time that the Anal Catholic community had come together for the Way of the Cross on Good Friday and hence, the event was historic for the faithful as it helped them to stay connected in their faith.