Jackson church holds Stations of the Cross service ahead of Easter

JACKSON, Tenn. — West Tennessee is kicking off Easter weekend in churches across the region.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in North Jackson held a service for the Stations of the Cross and prayer of the Divine Mercy.

The Stations of the Cross is a ceremony that takes the congregation on a walk through Jerusalem during the time of the crucifixion of Christ.

“There was a time when Christians would make pilgrimage to the Holy Land and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and then for a while that was not possible because of conflict between Muslims and Christians and many Christians couldn’t go it then became the custom to imagine yourself walking through Jerusalem,” said Father Schenkel, pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

The 14 stations along the walls of the sanctuary each depict a moment from the conviction to the crucifixion, and death and burial of Christ.

There is no Station of the Cross for the resurrection because that will be celebrated on Easter Sunday with a different service.

After Schenkel finished leading the congregation through the Stations of the Cross, he then led the congregation through the prayer of the Divine Mercy.

“Asking god to forgive us of our sins, asking Jesus to give us his mercy, to say the prayers again and again, it establishes a rhythm. It helps us establish a real mindset of repentance,” said Schenkel.

There will be another service for Good Friday at St. Mary’s at 7 p.m.

Father Schenkel invites those that wish to come, be prepared to pray and walk through the gospel of John as they follow the story of the crucifixion.

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