Chard Stations of the Resurrection

“We welcome you to the Via Lucis which means Stations of Light or The Way of the Light or Stations of the Resurrection. You have obviously heard of the Stations of the Cross which follows Christ’s sacrificial journey on Good Friday and leads to His Death and burial.

However, you may not have heard of the Stations of the Resurrection. With the Stations of the Cross there is a feeling of movement as we process from one Station to another as we follow Jesus’ journey along the Via Delarosa from the Forum to Golgotha and then into the Tomb. We try to simulate this movement by placing the Stations around the church. Likewise with the Stations of the Resurrection, there is a sense of movement or progression as we follow Christ’s time on Earth between His Resurrection and Ascension through to the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

In some ways, the Stations of the Cross are unfinished without the Resurrection at Easter as this is the highlight of the Church. Father Sabino Palumbieri, an Italian priest, first proposed having a Stations of the Resurrection in 1988. It had its first public celebration in 1990 and was commended by the Holy See in 2001. From darkness comes light and from death comes life and from the Stations of the Cross comes the Via Lucis, a joyful celebration that emphasises spiritual growth, hope and new beginnings, all of which are needed especially in this time of pandemic.

The parishioners of this Church in Chard have produced their own version, a wonderful devotion which I hope you will enjoy and from which you gain benefit and blessings.”

Dean: Rev Dominic Findlay-Wilson VF