World Youth Day: Stations of the Cross

As I write this post, I am watching video coverage of the Stations of the Cross accessible from the Media Player page of the World Youth Day website. [I do love the strap line of the video clip that comes up as you first arrive at the page - "Word Youth Day - the time of your eternal life".] Video clips showing the complete celebration, and a highlights clip, have been posted there. I do recommend that you watch them!

The way the Stations were devised combines some very traditional elements (eg the versicle "We adore you O Christ and we bless you .." at the start of each station) with some very modern elements (the scourging is presented in a way reflective of some contemporary forms of torture, with Jesus hanging from his arms and then upside down). The music is also a mixture of traditional and modern - the Ave Verum at the representation of the Last Supper, a choral piece which includes a refrain "What have we done to you" echoing the Reproaches at the scene depicting Jesus meeting with the women of Jerusalem, and with his Mother. The setting against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and docks is very striking. I have not watched it all, but it does look to have been quite something.

I get the impression of a very prayerful event. It really does make you reflect on the nature of a work of art as a reflection and manifestation of what is most deeply of the human spirit.