Shadow Stations of the Cross, Take Two

Tonight was the night. The confirmation class from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church put on Stations of the Cross, in shadow. There is something so indescribably moving hearing the story of Jesus' journey to the grave while seeing the story in relief. Other than the voice of the narrator, the room was silent. The Church is a smaller Church, located in a smaller town. There were probably 50 people in attendance.

It was completely narrative. Each Station had one pose, except forThe lights came up again the Station where Jesus was nailed to the Cross. It was back lit when the explanation of the Station was done. The light went down and the prayer for the Station was said while the students re-positioned themselves for the next Station.

The Station when Jesus is nailed to the Cross was the only exception. For this one, the students were back lit showing Jesus with one arm on the Cross. The lights dropped and a hammer sounded three times. The lights came back up showing Jesus other arm now on the Cross. The lights dropped again and the hammer sounded three more times. For the third time, the lights came up. This time, the person with the hammer was kneeling at Jesus' feet. The lights dropped for the third time and the hammer sounded three more times. When the lights came up for the final time, Jesus was completely nailed to the Cross.

The hammer echoed in that Church basement. I could feel it in my chest with each strike of the hammer. Tears were in my eyes when Carter reached over and squeezed my hand.

If you ever had the opportunity to experience the Stations of the Cross in shadow, don't pass it up.