Institute for Pastoral Initiatives News
Pray the Rosary during COVID-19
By Sister Angela Ann Zukowski
Several years ago while in Assisi, Italy, during our annual pilgrimage with my University of Dayton students, I discovered the Stations of the Cross Rosary, or Chaplet, as it is to be called.
We were waiting to enter the Carceri (St. Francis’ Hermitage in the mountains above Assisi). There on the side of the road was a man selling various religious articles. I noticed the beautiful Chaplet that has become central to my daily prayer particularly now during COVID-19.
COVID-19 is preventing us from being physically present for our Catholic Services and particularly our Lenten Traditional Stations of the Cross.
I remember during my youth attending 7:30 Friday evening Stations Devotion during Lent. The entire parish was present. No one in the parish ever missed it. This Lenten Catholic Tradition was woven into the fabric of our Catholic spiritual lives.
Today, more than ever, the Stations, or Way of the Cross, prophetically speaks to us as we listen or view daily news. We are experiencing a living Way of the Cross in the lives of millions of people around the world.
I treasure praying the Stations of the Cross Chaplet each day as a way toward connecting spiritually with all who are experiencing effects from COVID-19; related illnesses, suffering from angst, distress, ambiguity, despair, and death of loved ones in their lives.
Each one of us is journeying through our own personal difficulty brought on by the virus. Yet, together, especially during Holy Week, while we are isolated in our own personal spaces, we can spiritually reach out supporting one another along each of our 'Way of the Crosses' with Jesus by our side.
Here's how to pray the Stations of the Cross Chaplet.
Throughout this Holy Week, we invite all to join our Dayton and VLCFF Community united in prayer for recovery and end of COVID-19. See our Video Lenten prayer each week and on Good Friday, join us on our VLCFF Facebook for our 3:00PM(EDT) Stations of the Cross prayer.