In the last few years, UP’s Campus Ministry office has started a Holy Week tradition. On Good Friday, when school is out of session, students and staff have participated in the Stations of the Cross as a pilgrimage from campus to St. Andre Chapel in downtown Portland, a church that offers robust programs in service of our homeless neighbors.
The Stations of the Cross, an important part of the Good Friday observance, typically occurs inside a Catholic Church beneath the fourteen scenes that depict the story of Christ’s Passion and final moments.
By bringing the Stations outside, UP students and staff have, in a way, made it their own. “It is a way of having a spiritual exercise to participate in during the day off from classes,” Fr. Jim Gallagher C.S.C., director of Campus Ministry, said. “Along that walk, the group would integrate the stations of the cross, stopping from time to time to reflect on one of the fourteen stations.”
This year Campus Ministry has been quick to adapt to social distancing precautions. Instead of the traditional pilgrimage, UP staff worked together to create a video of all 14 stations around different locations on campus while building a unifying message of support during these difficult times.
“At this time when we cannot gather as a community, we figured that it would be fun to find a way to connect our community with the campus that they know so well,” Fr. Gallagher said. “The final product will be a bit rugged, but the hope is that it will offer an opportunity for prayer that can draw our community into some of the reflective aspects of Holy Week as well as connect them with some of the places and faces they know well.”
University of Portland Holy Week Liturgies
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Holy Week, from our campus family to yours.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
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503.943.8000
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