“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” The parishioners of St Anthony’s/Church of the Nativity/St Augustine sought to give a positive response to this query as we undertook a two-hour walk from the St Anthony’s church in Petit Valley, then along the Crystal Stream Highway to the Church of the Nativity. The journey began at 7.00 a.m.

Parish priest, Fr Leo Donovan carries the cross.

The crowd follows along the highway

As usual parishioners of all ages – from the babies in prams to the elderly given a hand by relatives and friends - came out for this “walk with our Lord” as has been the custom for the last few years.

 For most of us it was an opportunity to slow down, to do something we would not ordinarily do.

It was a sacrifice that we were ready and willing to make to bring us to the place we would hear again the call of Christ to be His disciples, to recommit ourselves to living the Gospel.

As the Lord promised, even the weather bowed to us. Just as the heat of the sun started to make its presence felt, the clouds began to form remaining overhead with only a slight drizzle as we entered the churchyard, the end of this penitential journey.

At the Church of the Nativity, Fr Paschal Tiernan speaking from his wheelchair on the passion of Christ was himself an inspiration as he led us to identify ourselves in the persons who surrounded Jesus on His journey to the cross, securing our salvation.

However, it was our actual journey with Christ, the enactment of the Stations of the Cross that provided the background for the contemplation of our own lives.

The meditation along the way was led by the adults while the youths of the parish – from St Vincent de Paul junior team as well as the newly confirmed – who created the enactment of the fourteen stations.

The fifteenth station – Jesus is raised from the dead - was a surprise for some of us who are still to get used to it. As we shared water and “hot cross buns” we spent a few more moments with friends. Hopefully, not forgotten we left with the confirmation of God’s love and mercy.

“I forgive you. I love you. You are mine. Take my hand. Go in Peace. Sin no more, beloved one.”