The Stations of the Cross refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion.  

All Catholic parishes have depictions of Christ’s Passion and death called the Stations of the Cross, The Way of the Cross or Via Dolorosa (way of suffering) In many churches, the Stations of the Cross are depicted in stained-glass windows, but other media are used as well, including paintings and stone or wood carvings and sculptures.  Often on Friday evenings during Lent, you can find a parish that’s open with Catholics meditating and saying prayers in unison before each of the 14 stations.

The Stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion that offers witness to Jesus’ Passion and Death. Often, the Stations of the Cross is an action prayer. Catholics walk to the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross and stop to pray at each one.  At each station we use our senses and our imagination to reflect prayerfully upon Jesus’ suffering, Death, and Resurrection, and to simply experience the visual images to reflect on Christ’s love for us.

We've listed the best Way of the Cross prayer resources for...

• beginners who are new to this form of prayer,

• families and those who want to pray the stations of the cross with children, and

• busy adults who may not be able to join your parish Stations of the Cross prayer time.

The Theology of the Body was the topic of 129 talks given by Saint John Paul II during his Wednesday addresses between September 1979 and November 1984.

The word theology comes from the Greek root words theos (God) and logia (word). Theology, then is literally a “word about God.” St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, then, can be described as a word about God and the body.

Rediscovering the Meaning of Life, Love, Sex and Gender

Come learn more about the legacy left behind by St. John Paul II. This introduction to his Theology of the Body will explore these questions (and more):

• What does Scripture reveal to us about who God is? About who we are?
• How is God’s Divine Design revealed in sacred art and architecture?
• What exactly is God’s Plan for sexuality?
• What does the Church really teach about sex?

Divorce. Broken families. Sexual abuse. Pornography. Gender issues. Everywhere we look, we find more confusion about the fundamental truths of human life. As we lose our basic understanding of the meanings of man, woman, marriage, and sex, the question becomes ever more urgent: What does it mean to be a human being?

Understanding the basics of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, making his profound teachings on human sexuality easy to grasp and apply in our lives. You will discover a deeper understanding of your role in your family and in society, learn how to better love and be loved by your spouse or future spouse, and gain new insights on how to respond with clarity and compassion to hot-button issues on sexuality.

Register through the Diocese of LaCrosse

Here you can find the handouts and resources referenced during the formation day as well as a list of resources we recommend for both individuals and groups to help you continue to explore the themes and topics covered.

January 9, 2019 - Presenters: Steve & Maureen Anderson

All Christians are invited to a “renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 9).

 

Christ calls all people to himself in his Body, the Church, through the workings of the Holy Spirit, so that we can enter into a personal relationship with God the Father. “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 120).

The Diocese of Biloxi staff inservice is designed to:

• provide an overview of Bishop Kihneman's vision for moving the entire diocese to a culture of missionary discipleship,
• explain the evangelization and discipleship process and provide a common language and vocabulary for the process,
• offer an opportunity for personal encounter with Jesus and personal exploration of the core gospel proclamation (kerygma),
• guide staff through a process of identifying the key elements of their personal journeys to discipleship, and
• equip staff with beginning practical tools and skills to discern where others may be on their faith journey and how to help walk them into their next step.

Many participants find that attending a single seminar or retreat day is only able to provide a brief overview of some of the key elements to discipleship and evangelization. Spending time reflecting, praying, and learning both individually and as a group will help ensure you take the concepts from theories and apply them in practice in your own life and in your parish.