By Anastasia Pinto
This Lenten season at The Lay Centre invited us to pause, reflect, and begin anew. On Ash Wednesday, we were reminded to begin by reflecting not just on what we do for God, but on who we are in his eyes. For from a heart transformed by love flows fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. It is an opportunity to identify and embrace our unique mission and identity in Christ.
Reflecting on these words by Fr. Aurélio Aparecido Miranda, C.P., General Counselor of the Passionists, who presided over the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday, our community was invited to further reflect on three things:
- Acknowledge and surrender to God’s unique plan for our lives
- Begin by changing our ways
- Turn to him with humility
In addition to the weekly community Mass, each Friday during Lent, we gather to pray the Via Crucis, walking through the tranquil gardens surrounding The Lay Centre, immersing ourselves in prayer and reflection as we meditate on Christ’s journey to Calvary.
“Praying together the Way of the Cross as a community allows us to be in communion with the universal Church. As Jesus journeyed to Calvary, He gave us a sign that he himself is the way, preparing us to move forward and guiding us to live better as a community,” said Maria Rocha, from Portugal.
A group of community members organizes and leads the Via Crucis each week. Each prayerful step, accompanied by quiet contemplation and song, strengthens our faith and binds us closer together as a community.
