Sights & Sounds: Bringing the cross to the streets of Belleville
Hundreds of parishioners and local residents gathered on April 3 at Saint Peter’s Parish in Belleview, NJ, starting point of the community’s 20th annual Living Stations of the Cross. The event was organized by the Movimiento de Retiros Parroquiales Juan XXIII (Pope John XXIII Parish Retreat Movement), a lay association dedicated to leading marginalized communities closer to God.
Prayed in Spanish and English, the stations in Belleville are particularly striking because they are acted out in the midst of the community. Jesus carries His cross through residential streets, falls for the first time in the middle of an intersection, and has his face wiped by Veronica in front of a town park.
As the procession passes by, residents and passersby stop to look on, pray, and contemplate the events that Christians around the world sorrowfully commemorate on Good Friday.
“Two police officers from Belleville accompany the procession every year,” said Father Ivan Sciberras, pastor of St. Peter’s. “They told me that the neighbors were coming out of their houses and saying, ‘Every year we look forward to this.’ So, this is a way of evangelizing. Maybe they wouldn’t come into the church, but the fact that the procession passes in front of their house is a help to them.”
Father Sciberras said participation in the Living Stations has increased every year and has spread to include the rest of Holy Week. “These people will spend the whole weekend with us,” he said, noting that the previous evening’s Holy Thursday liturgy was “standing room only.”
Evangelizing in the streets
For the actors and organizers, the annual Living Stations is not just a moment of witness, but a personal call to holiness.
“It is a very beautiful experience because I get to share what the Passion of Christ is all about,” said Raul Pineda, who portrayed Jesus in the stations. “Whenever I do this, I ask God to let me feel a little of what He felt in that moment. For me, it is an experience that — more than anything — is a sacrifice, one that is offered for the peace of the whole world.”
Pineda not only carried the wooden cross during the procession, but walked barefoot for the entire route, laying on bare asphalt during several stations.
“This is a small sacrifice compared to what Jesus did for me, and for you, and for the whole world,” he said, with a tired smile.
“I am happy because I have done the work, which belongs to God, that is evangelizing in the streets, so that people can see that Jesus from two thousand years ago — the one they couldn’t see back then,” he said.
CLICK HERE to visit a photo gallery with more images of the Living Stations of the Cross in Belleview, NJ.
Each week, Jersey Catholic features the rich and inspiring “Sights & Sounds” of the Archdiocese of Newark. Visit us regularly to explore our vibrant parishes, sacred artworks, historic landmarks, and the faithful men, women and youth who bring our Catholic community to life.
Featured image: Parishioners from Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Belleville, joined by neighbors from the community, held their annual Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, April 3. (Photos by John Touhey / Archdiocese of Newark)
