Members of Elon community walk stations of the cross as part of Holy Week

At each of the 14 stations around Fonville Fountain on Good Friday, Elon students, faculty, staff and members of the broader community paused to ponder the steps Jesus Christ took to his crucifixion and burial. 

Led by Father Peter Trembley, Elon’s associate chaplain for Catholic Life, with assistance from students and staff in the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, those gathered made their way around the fountain in front of Alamance Building. Each stop also offered the opportunity for those gathered to walk the stations of the cross to also consider the injustices they see in the world, and to consider how they might assist those who are without help and without hope. 

“Most of the year, we are so happy about the resurrection and the chance for salvation,” said Trung “T” Huynh-Duc, director of Catholic Campus Ministry. “This really reminds us all of the sacrifices that Jesus made.”

Huynh-Duc carried the weighty, wooden cross from station to station as dozens followed and said in unison at each, “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”

Moving through the stations of the cross stems from the practice of early Christian pilgrims who would travel to the Holy Land and walk the ways of Jesus as he went from Jerusalem to the Mount of the Skull, Golgotha, where he was crucified. The practice evolved to where stations of the cross ceremonies now take place within a church or any public gathering space. 

At each station on Friday, a reader offered a selection of scripture that helped those in attendance recount the close of Christ’s life, followed by a joint prayer for help in drawing wisdom and compassion from Christ’s life and sacrifices.

“Lord, helps us to walk our way of the cross with a little more faithfulness,” said the reader at the final station. “You said that in order to follow you, we must pick up our cross daily. Help us to recognize our crosses with joy, because in accepting them we imitate your life. In imitating you, we will eventually share your death and resurrection.”

This year, each of the 14 readings focused on injustices in the world and were followed by silent reflections, which Huynh-Duc said he hoped would help raise awareness and serve as an opportunity for people to think about how they can help. The readings spoke to societal issues such as homelessness, addiction, displaced populations and suicide. 

“Hopefully we won’t forget to help,” Huynh-Duc said. “As we consider the injustice that Jesus suffered for us, hopefully we can try to do more ourselves.”

Along with Friday’s stations of the cross event, Elon’s Catholic Campus Ministry will hold an Easter mass at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 16, in McKinnon Hall.