We set out at 8.00 am from Sanpada with a prayer on our
lips, a hymn in our hearts and the Lord’s cool wind in our hair.
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| Alter of St Ignatius Church |
The 1st station – Jesus is condemned to die
St. Ignatius Church, Mandvi.
Established by Capuchin Fathers in 1897. This church was built primarily for the Koli community
living in the neighbourhood. In this
small but beautiful Gothic church, we contemplated on how Jesus accepted his Father’s
will to sacrifice himself for all of mankind. Fr. Terrence D Souza, blessed the
visiting congregation and inspired us with his talk on the choice of two
different life paths – One of Care, Non violence and Compassion and the other
of Control, Conflict and Indifference. I examined myself for the humility,
patience and love to accept my cross without complaint.
The 2nd station – Jesus carries his cross
St. John the Evangelist Church, Ballard Estate.
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Dominated by the crucified Jesus and flanked by Mother Mary
and the apostle John, the church like it’s namesake had a humble and honest
personality. In it’s humane atmosphere,
we contemplated on how Jesus took upon himself the crushing weight of the sins
of all humanity as he took up his cross. I examined the depth of my gratitude
and love for Jesus as he took up the heavy burden.
The 3rd station – Jesus falls the first time
Holy Name Church, Colaba.
This century old church is also the seat of the Archbishop of
Mumbai. The church is resplendent with graceful arches, vibrant frescos, life-like
statues and a dignified high alter. In its awe-inspiring premises we were
reminded of God’s glory and his Son biting the dust to uphold his Father’s
glory in his dearest creation – Man. We remembered the weak in our society who
fall and yet know no respite from their suffering and are roughly hauled up
again to carry on.
The 4th station – Jesus meets his Mother.
St. Joseph’s Church,
Navy Nagar, Colaba; also known as RC Church.
Set up in 1853, this was the first church for British
military (Roman Catholics) in the cantonment. In it’s hallows in front of the
striking white altar, fed with sunlight, bathing the church in a stunning glow,
we meditated on the mother and son who had put their entire trust on God. “Look
how God repaid us”, they could have said. But even in this phase they trusted
God and obeyed his will drawing strength from each other. I remembered my own
complaints and resolved to trust the Father. 
5th station - Simon helps Jesus carry his cross
Open Alter at Cross Maidan
An open alter with no doors, windows or walls and Christ’s
crucified hands inviting all of humanity to celebrate his Father’s creation.
Under the open sky we contemplated on Jesus’ helplessness at his inability to
carry the cross alone and was in despair when no help was offered voluntarily
but was pushed on him in the person of Simon. I examined my willingness to
reach out to the marginalised and my frustration at not being able to fulfil my
duties.
The 6th station – Veronica wipes the face of
Jesus
Lady of Dolurs Church, Marine Lines, New Sonapur.
How fitting it was that we made this station which features an act of
kindness at this small but beautiful church in the hustle of Marine Lines. Our
Lady of Dolurs Church was like a balm to the weary traveller, just as Veronica’s
kindness was to the suffering Jesus. Have we the strength to be kind to the dregs
of humanity I asked myself? I examined my humility and strength to follow
Veronica’s example.
The 7th station – Jesus falls the second time
St Francis Xavier
Church, Dabul.
Established in 1872, this is a historic site and was formed
by the joining of two churches - the church of St. Sebabstian and the church of
St. Francis Xavier. The Church has a nave (central space) in which is placed
the statue of St. Francis. Right above this is a beautiful blue-tiled dome.
Adjoining are statues of Mother Mary and Jesus. The
church houses the relic of St. Francis Xavier and this is opened every year for
public viewing.
On this historic site, we turned over the page where Jesus
stared at his weakness at falling even while getting help. When one is so weak
that even his will can carry him no more.
In the adjoining St.
Sebastian Goan school, the weary pilgrims received a sumptuous meal and were
refreshed for their next station.
The 8th station – Jesus meets the women of
Jerusalem
St. Theresa’s Church,
Girgaun also known as Girgaun Portuguese church.
The central figure of St Theresa is flanked by St. Joseph
and another saint. The alter features a beautiful Last Supper painting. The
figures of Jesus and Mary dominate the area before the pews. An otherwise stark
church; it inspires its people to examine their purity and to be humble like
St. Theresa. At this station Jesus gives a message to all women, “Weep not for me
but for your children”.
The 9th station – Jesus falls the third time
St. Stephen’s Church, Cumbala Hill.
In this Spartan church build in a semicircle design with a stained
glass painting of the risen saviour raising his hand to bless the people, we
contemplated on the suffering, broken Jesus, on his knees for the third time.
Is this the Son of God? Strength shines through not in his ability to repel but
to withstand. Life is so, sometimes it requires us to snap back sometimes to
bend. When love is the force, the outcome is God’s will.
The 10th station – Jesus is stripped of his
garments
St. Ignatius Church,
Jacob’s circle.
Dedicated on 1st Jan 1913, the church was
initially run by the Jesuit fathers and was later handed over to the Diocesans
fathers. In this beautiful Romanesque
church with it’s beautifully painted dome depicting the Last Supper and stained
glass painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus above the main entrance we
contemplated on how Jesus’ humble adornments were shorn away from him. What does
it mean to be defiled in our body in which we take so much pride in. We
reflected on what Jesus willingly gave away to save us.
The 11th station – Jesus is nailed to the cross
Our Lady of Glories Church, Byculla, also known as Gloria
church.
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The 12th station – Jesus dies on the cross
St. Anne’s Church,
Mazagaon.
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| St Anne's shcool |
Our parishioners Mr. Vincent and Mrs Alzira Rocha got married
in this church. This beautiful church was once a private chapel and was later
extended to a church. It is 130 years old. We looked up to the crucified Christ
along with St. Anne and Mother Mary and made our 12th station. The
small high vaulted church infuses one with a feeling of lightness and beauty,
an opportunity to soar and reach the skies. We contemplated on the suffering,
broken Jesus. All our hopes pinned on the sacrificial lamb. When will I be able
to stand up and take the responsibility for my own sins instead of looking for
sacrificial lambs. And yet, this lamb opens its arms wide to invite the sinful.
The 13th station - Jesus is taken down from the cross
St. Josephs’s Church,
Umarkhadi.
A beautiful church with a alter backdrop of Jesus’ foster father Joseph carrying Jesus in his hands and a dome with two angels supporting the crucified Jesus against a glorious sun; we were reminded of our Father, both worldly and spiritual. Jesus, the obedient son was dear to both. With his ultimate sacrifice, the son glorified his Father and left a legacy for us to carry on.
The 14th station – Jesus is laid in the tomb
Our Lady of the
Rosary Church, Dock Yard Road.
We made our last station in the bosom of our Lady. Built in
1794, the church has a warm, comforting, familial atmosphere. Believers are
welcomed by the heartening sight of the outstretched hands of Our Lady welcoming
them into her Son’s church. The same hands which had held her dead son in her
arms. A son who had died for us. In this church, we contemplated on how the few
people who had the courage to stand by even at his death, did not leave Jesus
to the birds but laid him with dignity in a tomb. Jesus showed us that Death is
not an end. It is but a transition where our true self, devoid of its physical
shell returns to the Father.
Thus it was with hope that we returned. Not with dread of
death but with hopes of a glorious reunion with the Father.
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