By Staff
From staff reports
March 29, 2002
The fifth annual Way of the Cross, Way of Peace gets under way today at noon.
The Good Friday ecumenical witness of faith will begin at the Lauderdale County Courthouse and will culminate at Dumont Park, at the corner of Fifth Street and 22nd Avenue. "Let Us Come Together to Show Unity In Our Diversity: One People Under God; God Bless America" is the theme.
Highlighted by songs, prayer and testimonials, the Way of the Cross, Way of Peace is a re-enactment journey reminiscent of Jesus' way to the cross, according to Sister Andr Burkhart, pastoral associate of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Catholic churches. Burkhart introduced the walk locally in 1997.
Since its inception, the re-enactment has attracted a diverse group of Meridian area residents black, white, young, old and members of a variety of faiths. The number of walkers increases annually, with last year's event which was accompanied by rain including more than 2,000 participants.
The walk is an old custom that began after Jesus' death. People visited places where Jesus had performed miracles and preached. As the stories were repeated, interest increased; however, distance made travel difficult. People improvised by placing pictures of the holy places in churches as a reminder of their salvation. In the middle centuries, the Franciscan Order was given charge of preserving the holy places. The 14 stations evolved.
Thirteen stations are featured for the local ecumenical witness of faith, with Meridian churches and businesses serving as sponsors.