St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School sixth graders reenact the 14 Stations of the Cross

With Easter Sunday just days away, students and staff at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School in Long Beach spent Holy Thursday reenacting the 14 Stations of the Cross.

Sixth grade students at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School marked Holy Thursday with a living reenactment of the Stations of the Cross. Principal Carol Church says it is a tradition that students and staff look forward to every year. “Every advent and every lent we do a week-long retreat where the kids are reflecting on what this event is and what Easter really means to us and what Holy Thursday is and we’ve been reflecting on how we’re following Jesus and hearing his call. ”

The 14 Stations of the Cross leading up to the Resurrection represent Jesus’ last day on Earth. Church says it is an event that fills her with emotion. “It holds a special place in all of our hearts. It’s something we look forward to and it does bring us closer in our faith. During this time, it’s a lot of soul searching. I know this week, we’ve talked about Peter’s denial, Jesus in the desert and we’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on that so when we come in here and we watch the stations it brings it all together.”

A smile comes to Church’s face when she mentions how proud she is of the hard work the students and teachers put into the reenactment, but she says it is the true message of Easter and faith she wants them to take with them. “I hope they learn that Jesus is always there for them and they can go into prayer and reflection and spend that time with him.  This isn’t the only time though they practice their faith. They just recently made Easter baskets for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Mobile and took them over there. They’re practicing this all the time.”

As the lights fade on the 14 Stations, music, prayer, and adoration flood the gym.