In past columns I have mentioned the St. Stephens Indian Mission in St. Stephens, Wyoming. The mission is a diocesan parish and is on the Wind River Indian Reservation. St. Stephens has been the Catholic presence on the reservation since the Jesuits established it in 1884.
St. Stephens is the primary Catholic church on the reservation. Inside the church is replete with images and designs of Arapaho culture intertwined with Catholic symbols and structures. “Beautiful” is a word that falls far short in describing the church. It is not beautiful like the cathedrals in Europe, but evinces the deep spirituality of a people who have completely embraced Catholicism without abandoning their unique culture.
One of the most striking examples of cultural blending is the Stations of the Cross that adorn the walls on both sides of the church. The paintings were created by a local Arapaho artist and, like much of the artwork, combine both Indian and Anglo cultures.
I was given a booklet by the pastor of St. Stephens that gives some details about the symbolism in the paintings. It says:
“… Jesus is depicted with the spirit of a white eagle hovering protectively close to his body instead of the traditional halo. The eagle, respected for its size, strength and keen movement in flight, is an integral part of Indian culture. The dove, suspended over Veronica and Mary represents love, peace and tenderness. This blending of symbols will help us visualize and accept the fact that Jesus’ way to death is our way to life.”
The picture that accompanies this column is the 14th station, titled “Jesus is Laid to Rest.” Here Jesus’ body is covered and placed upon a scaffold, a traditional Arapaho practice. In the front are the grieving women. It was the image of the woman in the middle who is cutting her hair that brings me to tears nearly every time I see this station.
Hair is a powerful symbol in the culture of many tribes. Because it is so important, hair is generally left uncut.
Except in grief.
Even today at the funeral of Arapaho tribal members, family will show up with their hair cut off in mourning for the loved one who died. It is a serious action fraught with deep, sorrowful meaning.
The woman in the painting has cut off one braid, which is lying on the ground, and is in the process of cutting off her second braid, wailing in agony over the death of her loved one, Jesus. The images of the other two women, even from the back, leave no doubt about the grief they are feeling as well.
I have seen many, many beautiful statues and reliefs portraying the Stations of the Cross. I have visited two life-sized Stations in San Luis, Colorado; St. John, Indiana. They are truly stunning and worth the trip to see them and to pray at them.
But it is the Arapaho woman cutting her hair that, for me, makes the grief almost unbearably real. My friend, whom I loved so much, is dead.
But in three days’ time ….
If you would like to see all 14 Stations of the Cross and their accompanying prayers, visit https://bit.ly/3sZw4c6
As always, thanks for reading. I would love to hear from you. Write to me at mpotter@evdio.org.
When you pray the Stations of the Cross this year, consider using these images and prayers.
The following pictures were created by local Arapaho artists from the Wind River Reservation. The St. Stephens Indian Mission is a parish of the Diocese of Cheyenne and is located in St. Stephens, Wyoming. It serves the people of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
In these stations Jesus us depicted with the spirit of a white eagle hovering protectively close to his body instead of the traditional halo. The eagle, respected for its size, strength and keen movement in flight, is an integral part of Indian culture. The dove, suspended over Veronica and Mary, represents love, peace and tenderness. This blending of symbols will help us visualize and accept the fact that Jesus’ way to death is our way to life. May these stations expand and explore the deeper meaning of pain and suffering in our daily lives. May we be stimulated by faith to action and inspired to fight oppression, violence and injustice wherever we meet them.
Loving and merciful God, may this Way of the Cross become for us our way to you. Jesus told us to pick up the cross and follow him. As we begin this journey with Jesus leading the way, strengthen and encourage us to see your great love and compassion for those whom we will meet along the way, especially those to whom Jesus was close: the poor, the sick, the homeless, the unjustly accused, the downtrodden, those unacceptable to polite society, the sinner. Lord God, may we who call upon you for mercy and compassion find mercy and compassion along this Way of the Cross and at journey’s end. Amen.
Station One – Jesus is Condemned to Death Jesus, the innocent one, stands denounced and alone. He listens in quiet dignity to his accusers and responds in silence. No need for words. The powerful are intrigued by him but threatened, too. He has been making waves, questioning the status quo. He must die. For those unjustly accused; For those who willingly fight for justice and peace; For the “wave makers” who expose unjust social structures and work to change them: Lord, give us the power to stand firm.
Station Two – Jesus Accepts His Cross “Accept the things I cannot change.” Jesus faces brutal hatred with gentle serenity. His battered, bruised body cannot fight the forces of evil. By accepting the cross he shows an inner strength proving that his power comes from his Father. That power will change hatred into love. Jesus refuses to compromise. He knows who he is and what he stands for and is willing to die for it. For the courage to not run away from difficulties; For the strength to be powerless and totally dependent on Jesus; for the serenity to join our sufferings to those of Jesus; Lord, help us to accept what we cannot change.
Station Three: Jesus Falls the First Time Staggering under the weight of the cross, Jesus struggles to maintain his balance. Perhaps a small stone proves too much and he comes crashing to the ground. It’s the little things that sometimes prove insurmountable in our lives and we stumble and fall. It may be a thoughtless remark, a perceived slight, an unreturned smile, that can plunge us into resentment, anger and suspicion. Each fall can teach us more about ourselves and our relationship with others. For those who seek fame, fortune and success at the expense of their neighbors; For those who idolize power, riches and prestige; For those addicted to and controlled by drugs, alcohol, and destructive behaviors; Lord, raise us up from pettiness.
Station Four: Jesus Meets His Mother The look of love that passes between Jesus and Mary speaks volumes This son, who changed water into wine, cured the sick, fed the hungry and treated all with dignity and respect, is now hounded like a common criminal. Words seem hopelessly out of place an only a touch, a look could reach those inner depths where love resides. Thus Mary and Jesus look at each other and trust the mystery. She, too, dies a little. For all the mothers and fathers who reach out to their rebellious children; For all caught up in the utter pain of helplessness; For families of suicide victims and others trapped by despair; Lord, let us ponder mystery in our hearts.
Station Five: Simon Helps Jesus Simon is a reluctant “volunteer.” He doesn’t want to be associated with a criminal. Being an outsider with a strong body he could easily be bullied by the soldiers to help this accused man to his death. As he plods alongside Jesus he begins to realize the inner strength and goodness of this man. Simon’s life changes completely simply because he helped a man carry his cross. For the hopeless, the helpless, the ones who stand alone; For those suffering from mental, physical or psychological problems; For those trapped in darkness of unbelief; Lord, help us bear each others’ burdens.
Station Six: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus Braving the scorn, ridicule, roughness of the soldiers and the unruly crowd. Veronica reaches out and touches the face of Jesus – wiping away the tears, spittle and blood. This woman has one simple goal: to give comfort to this man who touched so many lives with love. She doesn’t care what happens to her – compassion draws her to him. Jesus recognizes her kindness and then moves on. For the timid who know but are afraid to stand up for what is right; For the ordinary people who wipe away tears and fears of others without publicity or recognition; For those who minister to the sick and dying with great sensitivity; Lord, let our kindness wipe away our fear.
Station Seven: Jesus Falls the Second Time All the pushing, shoving and jostling of the soldiers and the crowd cause Jesus to trip and fall again. He is brutally raised and pushed forward. His encounter with Veronica gives him strength to pick himself up and move on. When our best intentions go awry; When we choose darkness over light; When we let false values gain control of our lives; Lord, pick us up when we fall.
Station Eight: Jesus Speaks to the Weeping Women These women respond with beautiful compassion towards Jesus. Their hearts are breaking and their tears are real. But Jesus doesn’t want them to wallow in self-pity or despair. Instead, he admonishes them go home and show compassion to their families, teach their children the way of love, weep for them, for they are young and defenseless. For all the little ones totally dependent on adults for nurturing love; For parents that their words and example be life-giving and spirit filled; For all the victims of physical, spiritual, mental or sexual abuse; Lord, let us teach our children well.
Station Nine: Jesus Falls the Third Time This third fall signals that the end is near. All the mockery, sneering and violent pulling of the soldiers cannot make a broken body strong enough to go on. Jesus can no longer support himself as he lurches forward into the dirt – Face down. Hatred grabs, violates and finally overpowers. When the power of evil seems to have the upper hand and defeat seems inevitable; When life appears unmanageable and chaos reigns; When we stray from the path of truth; Lord, lend me your hand.
Station Ten: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments Our privacy is an expression of our dignity. Imagine the horror and shame Jesus feels when he is stripped naked with cruelty and rudeness. He can only close his eyes, hold up his head and look inward for understanding. Forgive us those moments when we choos to clothe ourselves in deceit and lies; Forgive us when we are more concerned about looking good rather than being good; Forgive us when we look for love in the wrong places; Lord, expose our wrong self.
Station Eleven: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross The unspeakable horror of this moment: the sound of this act will reverberate through the centuries. Jesus’ moans are muted and drowned out by the howls of hatred. Violence has once again overpowered innocence. For those nailed to sin by selfishness; For those who are insensitive to the pain and suffering of others; For those who have lost everything through war and persecution; For those riddled with prejudice, bigotry and racism; Lord, free us from all guilt.
Station Twelve: Jesus Dies on the Cross This is the moment of abject rejection when even his Father seems absent. Yet Jesus continues to reach out to his mother and his friend. The love of Jesus embraces the world and gathers up our sobs as he cries out “It is finished.” Forgive us for our refusal to live and love as Jesus taught; Forgive us for not trusting in your goodness; Forgive us for accepting your truth; Forgive us for not recognizing the dignity and worth of each person; Father, through your Son you have saved the world.
Station Thirteen: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross Once more Mary cradles her son. She holds close his lifeless body and ponders the meaning of these last tragic hours. Does she understand what his giving means for all time, for all people? For now, it is too much. Only time will unravel this great mystery. For those overwhelmed with grief at the loss of a loved one; For the grace to accept life as a mystery lived in God; For the grace of total abandonment to God’s will; O Lord, into your hands.
Station Fourteen: Jesus is Laid to Rest How carefully the bruised, battered body of Jesus is cleaned, anointed and wrapped in linen. At last Mary lays him to rest, as she has done so often in the past. Friends gather and weep over the loss of this beloved Son, this treasured friend. The pain sears and burrows deep into the earth of their broken hearts, their shattered dreams. Death is not the final answer. Healing and peace will come, but not yet. Now they are plunged into the darkness of unknowing, questioning and loss. For those who have died unknown and without mourning; For those in the throes of death; That Jesus’ life and death be a source of hope that touches our lives each day; Lord, be it done according to your will.
The Resurrection The men are cowering in the upper room overwhelmed with grief, fear and trepidation. Their lofty dreams and hopes crushed by the events of the last few days.
The women are frightened, bewildered and trembling. They have come early to anoint the body of Jesus only to find the tomb empty. In the depths of their desolation they hear: “Why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? He is risen. Don’t be afraid. Peace, it is I.” Jesus is alive! Grief is replaced by unimaginable joy.
The miracle of the Resurrection occurs in the midst of family, friends and disciples. The wondrous appearance of Jesus and the coming of his spirit transform timid, fearful men and women into brave, courageous and valiant followers. They finally understand that Jesus’ death was his moment of triumph, the cross his glorification.
Today w, the present day followers of Jesus, are asked to carry the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to all we meet and to be good news for all those God puts in our lives. Jesus asks us to forgive, to be patient, to love, to trust him and not be afraid.
Yes!!! Christ has died, Christ is risen. Christ reigns in our hearts.
By this shall everyone know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 19:39-40
Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
Nicodemus receives the body of Christ, he looks after it and puts it in a tomb in the middle of a garden which evokes the garden of Creation. Jesus lets himself be buried, even as he let himself be crucified, in the same abandonment, entirely “delivered” into the hands of men and “perfectly united” to them, “even to sleeping beneath the tombstone” (Saint Gregory of Narek).
To accept difficulties, painful events, death, demands steadfast hope, living faith.
The stone placed before the entrance of the tomb will be overturned and a new life will arise. For “we were buried with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4)
We have received the freedom of the children of God, so that we will not return to slavery; life has been given to us in abundance, so that we will no longer be satisfied with a life lacking beauty and meaning.
Lord Jesus, make us children of the light who do not fear the darkness. We pray to you today for all those who search for meaning in life and for all those who have lost hope, that they may have faith in your victory over sin and death. Amen.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 19:26-27a
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother: “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple: “Behold, your mother!”
Lord Jesus, those who love you remain at your side and keep faith. In the hour of your agony and death, when the world believes that evil triumphs and that the voice of truth, love, justice and peace is silent, their faith does not fail.
O Mary, into your hands we place our earth. “How sad it is to see this blessed land suffer in its children, who relentlessly tear one another to pieces and die!” (Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, 8). It seems that nothing can overcome evil, terrorism, murder and hatred. “Before the cross on which your Son stretched out his sinless hands for our salvation, O Virgin, we fall prostrate this day: grant us peace” (Byzantine liturgy).
Let us pray for the victims of the wars and of the violence which in our days devastate various countries in the Middle East, as well as other parts of the world. Let us pray that the displaced and the forced migrants may soon return to their homes and lands. Grant, Lord, that the blood of innocent victims may be the seed of a new East, ever more fraternal, peaceful and just, and that this East may recover the splendour of its vocation as the cradle of civilization and of spiritual and human values. Star of the East, show us the coming of the Dawn! Amen.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 23:46
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And having said this, he breathed his last.
From the height of the cross a cry is heard a cry: a cry of abandonment at the moment of death, a cry of trust amid suffering, a cry accompanying the birth of a new life. Behold, hanging on the tree of life, you deliver your spirit into your Father’s hands, causing life to spring up in abundance and forming the new creation. Today we too face the challenges of this world: we sense the surge of fears which overwhelm us and shake our trust. Grant us, Lord, the strength to know deep within our heart that no death will conquer us, until we rest in the hands which have shaped us and accompany us.
May every one of us be able to cry out: “Yesterday I was crucified with Christ, today I am glorified with him. Yesterday I died with him, today I live with him. Yesterday I was buried with him. Today I have risen with him.” (Gregory Nazianzen)
In the darkness of our nights, we contemplate you. Teach us to turn towards the Most High, your heavenly Father.
Today, let us pray that all those who promote abortion may become aware that love can only be a source of life. Let us think also of those who defend euthanasia and those who encourage techniques and procedures which endanger human life. Open their hearts to know you in the truth and to work for the building of the civilization of life and love. Amen.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 19:16a,19
Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
Behold, the long-awaited Messiah, hanging on the wood of the cross between two thieves. The two hands which blessed humanity are pierced. The two feet which trod our earth to proclaim the Good News are now suspended between earth and heaven. The eyes full of love, whose gaze healed the sick and forgave our sins, now gaze only heavenward.
Lord Jesus, you were crucified for our sins. You pray to God the Father and you intercede for humanity. Each hammer blow echoes like a beat of your immolated heart.
How beautiful upon the mount of Calvary are the feet of the One who proclaims the Good News of salvation. Your love, Jesus, has filled the universe.
Your pierced hands are our refuge in distress. They embrace us whenever the abyss of sin threatens us, and in your wounds we find healing and forgiveness.
O Jesus, we pray to you for all those young people who are overcome by hopelessness, for young people who are the victims of drugs, of sects and of perversions.
Free them from their enslavement. May they lift up their gaze and accept Love. May they find happiness in you; save them, our Saviour. Amen.
They divide my clothing among them, they cast lots for my robe.
In the fullness of time, Lord Jesus, you clothed yourself in our humanity, you whose "train filled the temple" (Is 6:1); already, you are walking in our midst, and those who wish to touch the hem of your garments are healed. But you have been stripped even of this garment, Lord! They have stolen your cloak and you have also given us your tunic (cf. Mt 5:40). You have allowed the veil of your flesh to be torn so that we might once more be admitted into the Father’s presence (cf. Heb 10:19-20).
We thought we could find fulfilment by ourselves, independently of you (cf. Gen 3:4-7). We found ourselves naked, but in your infinite love you reclothed us with the dignity of sons and daughters of God and of his sanctifying grace.
Bestow, Lord, upon the children of the Eastern Churches – stripped by various difficulties, sometimes to the point of persecution, and weakened by emigration – the courage to remain in their countries to proclaim the Good News.
O Jesus, Son of Man, who were stripped so as to reveal to us the new creation raised from the dead, tear in us the veil that separates us from God and weave in us your divine presence. Grant us to conquer fear before the events of life that strip us and leave us naked, and to put on the new man of our Baptism, in order that we may announce the Good News, proclaiming that you are the only true God who guides history. Amen.
A Reading from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 5:14-15
The love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
For the third time Jesus falls under the Cross, burdened with our sins, and for the third time he seeks to get up again, summoning up the strength that remains to him, so as to continue his journey towards Golgotha, refusing to let himself be crushed and to succumb to temptation.
From the moment of his Incarnation, Jesus carries the Cross of human suffering and sin. He has fully and eternally assumed human nature, showing men that victory is possible and that the path towards divine sonship is open.
Lord Jesus, the Church, born from your open side, is oppressed under the Cross of the divisions that distance Christians from one another and from the unity that you willed for them; they turn away from your desire “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21) as the Father is with you. This cross bears down with all its weight on their lives and on their common testimony. Grant us, Lord, the wisdom and the humility to rise once more and to move forward along the path of unity, in truth and love, without succumbing to the temptation to have recourse merely to the criteria of personal or sectarian interests, in the face of our divisions (cf. Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, 11).
Grant that we may renounce the mentality of division, “lest the Cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (1 Cor 1:17). Amen.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 23:27-28
There followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
On the path to Calvary, the Lord meets the women of Jerusalem. These women are weeping at the Lord’s sufferings as if it were suffering without hope. All they can see in the Cross is the wood, sign of a curse (cf. Dt 21:23), whereas the Lord chose it as a means of Redemption and Salvation.
In the Passion and Crucifixion, Jesus gives his life as a ransom for many. Thus he gave relief to those who were oppressed under the yoke and he consoled the afflicted. He wiped away the tears of the women of Jerusalem and opened their eyes to Paschal truth.
Our world is full of afflicted mothers, of women whose dignity has been wounded, abused by discrimination, injustice and suffering (cf. Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, 60). O suffering Christ, be their peace and be a balm to their wounds.
Lord Jesus, by your incarnation from Mary, “Blessed among women” (Lk 1:42), you raised the dignity of every woman. With the Incarnation you unified the human race (cf. Gal 3:26-28).
Lord, may the encounter with you be the desire of our hearts. Let our path, filled with sufferings, always be a path of hope, with you and towards you who are the refuge of our life and our Salvation.
All who see me deride me. They curl their lips, they toss their heads. Do not leave me alone in my distress; come close, there is none else to help.
Jesus is alone under the interior and exterior weight of the Cross. In this fall, the weight of evil becomes too great and there seems no longer to be any limit to injustice and violence.
But he rises once more, strong in the infinite trust that he places in his Father. Before the men who abandon him to his lot, the power of the Spirit raises him up; it unites him fully to the Father’s will, that of love which can do all things.
Lord Jesus, in your second fall, we recognize so many of our situations from which there seems to be no way of escape. Among them are those that derive from prejudice and hatred, which harden our hearts and lead to religious conflicts. Enlighten our minds so that they recognize, despite “human and religious differences,” that “a ray of truth shines on all men and women”, called to walk together – with respect for religious freedom – towards the truth that is in God alone. Thus, the different religions can “join one another in service to the common good and contribute to the development of each person and the building of society” (Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, 27-28).
Come, Holy Spirit, to console and strengthen Christians, especially those from the Middle East, so that, united in Christ, they may be witnesses of your universal love in an area torn apart by injustice and conflicts
Messages and Images: A Disciple's Journey 