Awake Community Gathers to Pray the Way of the Cross with Survivors
On March 18, Awake held its sixth annual Lenten prayer service, Way of the Cross with Survivors. This virtual event includes reflections written by members of the Awake community who have experienced sexual abuse by leaders in the Catholic Church.
Awake began this tradition in 2021, with the goal of offering Catholics an opportunity to meditate on both the suffering of Jesus and the lived experiences of survivors. Survivors were invited to choose the stations they reflected on, selecting the station that resonated most with them. Some of the reflectors chose to read their own words during the service, while other reflections were read by volunteers in the Awake community. A slideshow of nature images accompanied the service.
The text of this service and a recording of the event, which is about 40 minutes long, are available below and are ideal for personal prayer in these final days of Lent. Please note that these reflections are not graphic, but some do mention episodes of abuse. To give you a sample of this moving prayer service, we share the reflection and prayer used in the sixth station below.
If you choose to pray with the event recording or text and find it meaningful, please consider posting a comment with a message of support for the survivors who offered reflections.
The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
During the years of my abuse, I did not find any helpers or comforters. In my shame, I didn’t look for them. Now as I heal from what I endured at the hands of my parish priest, I am realizing that my life is full of Veronicas, women and men who brave the crowd to show mercy to me in quiet, personal defiance against the indifference and hostility that many can feel towards victim-survivors. Although they cannot change what happened to me, just as Veronica could not change your fate, Jesus, their kindness and compassion, like hers, make a difference. Small gestures of kindness and compassion are often the most profound ones. Like the true image of you on the veil that Veronica retained that day, my story has left an indelible mark on those who are choosing to accompany me now. A reflection of my suffering goes with them. They will carry a part of my story into their own lives, into their faith, and into their relationship with you, Lord Christ.
Leader: As we walk this sacred way together,
Response: Jesus, transform us.
— Natalie Pucillo