Cristo Rey Church will be heading outdoors again for its first time since 2019. Through freezing temperatures and at times rain, the Church has walked through the streets of Lansing from the State Capital to Cristo Rey Community Center on Ballard St. since 1984. In what is known as the Via Crucis or The Stations of the Cross in English, refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers.
An estimated 200-300 people from the community make this journey, the 40th Annual Via Crucis, with Cristo Rey Community Center providing transportation for an older generation with a van transporting them between the 14 different stages of the walk. Church members have filled various roles in the 36 times that this event has occurred. The most prominent role of course is the role of Jesus. It’s not an easy one as the cold temps, freezing rain and the long walk can be brutal.
Back in 1981, the Cristo Rey Youth Group was asked by Fr. Tom McCloskey to put together the Via Crucis for Good Friday. The publisher of this website, yours truly, was fortunate enough to play one of the “Narrators” and the Stations of the Cross was performed through the aisleways of the Church stopping at each “plaque” that were placed on walls around the worship area. Cristo Rey was located at 5401 S. Washington Ave. at the time.
In 1984, the decision was made by the Church Parish Council to create a community wide event by walking through the streets. Partnering with the Cristo Rey Community Center, the walk at times (especially with good weather) could bring as many as 400 people. The hope is that the weather Blesses the walk with good weather as the Church has already begun preparations for this year.
Date: Friday, April 7, 2023
Time: Park at Cristo Rey Community Center with shuttles leaving at 11:00am.
Starting location: Michigan State Capitol
Ending location: Cristo Rey Community Center
For more information, please contact the Church office: 517-394-4639
Website: https://www.cristoreychurch.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IglesiaDeCristoRey
