What is “Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross”?
“Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross” is a prayerful meditation on the Stations of the Cross that dwells on love as exemplified by Christ and lived in the covenant of marriage.
Explain the connection.
We are made for love. For those of us who are married, we have rejoiced in finding the pearl worth any price. We have reveled in love’s ecstasy and life-giving abundance. But yet we have also encountered its trials and struggled with its demands for sweat and blood and tears.
And at times—too many times—we have failed at love. We have lost sight of its true nature and fled its burdens. To see love clearly and embrace it whole, we need guidance and strength that comes from beyond ourselves.
The beauty and power of the Stations of the Cross is that they draw us near to Christ crucified, and so to the author of love, the source of love, the teacher of love, the exemplar of love.
Catholic Engaged Encounter
“Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross” was inspired by Kevin and Jen Euteneuer’s work with Catholic Engaged Encounter. We sometimes also call it “The CEE XIV”.
Does the congregation participate?
Yes. The congregation’s participation is essential to “Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross”. The congregation participates by reading prayers out loud and loving attentiveness. It is the congregation that creates the communal prayer that in unison lifts our hearts up to God.
How long is “Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross”?
“Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross” typically lasts an 45 minutes.
A Final Beautiful Thought from Joseph Ratzinger / Pope Benedict XVI
“So God is a sufferer because he is a lover; the entire theme of the suffering God flows from that of the loving God and always points back to it. The actual advance registered by the Christian idea of God over that of the ancient world lies in the recognition that God is love.”
No Costs/Requirements
“Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross” is a communal prayer held in a church. Like all such services, it is open to everyone at no cost. XIV Ministries which presents “Love, Marriage and the Stations of the Cross” is a ministry made up of volunteers who love the tradition of the Stations. XIV Ministries covers its own expenses. We do ask the parish to assist with publicity and allow us to ask for donations to help further the ministry.