This special service includes readings from Holy Scripture, guided meditation and prayers that apply the Passion narrative to today’s world.  

In the Waiapu Cathedral the paintings of the Stations of the Cross have been hung on pillars around the nave, and become the focus of this service. People are welcome to come into the Cathedral and walk the Stations of the Cross as a personal reflection during weekdays.

These paintings are by well-known Hawke’s Bay artist Phyllis Simmons and are Cathedral taonga. They were gifted by the artist in December 2007, and dedicated in the Cathedral on 3 February 2008. The Cathedral parish is grateful for the generous gift from Phyllis of these extraordinary and moving works of art. 

Nine of the stations come from the Gospels. Five come from medieval European imagination: Jesus’ three falls, his meeting his mother, and Veronica wiping his face. As the paintings in Napier Cathedral are viewed, words and ideas for prayers have been suggested for the viewer; this follows a pattern of worship used by pilgrims in Jerusalem today.

Every Friday in Jerusalem, Franciscan monks take groups of pilgrims along the Via Dolorosa, the road Christ may have walked on his way to the cross. Stopping at each of fourteen locations that mark events in the final days of Christ’s life, the pilgrims recall the Passion story and offer prayers for the world. The first record of this pilgrim practice comes from a Spanish pilgrim in 381AD walking from the Mount of Olives to the site of Christ’s crucifixion and burial. Today paintings or sculptures of the Stations of the Cross occur in many cathedrals and churches, giving worshippers an opportunity for reflection and meditation.

ALL AGES/ $ FREE but koha/offering appreciated.