
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Catholics who are looking for a new way to observe the Holy Week can visit an interactive display of the Stations of the Cross in Taguig City.
Now on its 9th year, “Walkway: Reflections on the Stations of the Cross,” allows devotees to reflect on the suffering of Jesus Christ.
Church Simplified, a church community, set up the installation.

There are 14 interactive stations based on the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Instead of the usual painting or image of Christ, art installations are set up in front of restaurants and stalls on Bonifacio High Street all the way to 7th Avenue.
“Walkway is an interactive stations of the cross, an interactive exhibit. It’s a way to make the Stations of the Cross more relevant and more modern. We wanted to incorporate art,” said Isa Garcia, the project’s head writer.

For this year, the theme is “Kintsugi.”
“It is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. So, it’s the idea that God has the capacity to heal the brokenhearted and sometimes, it’s more beautiful that way,” she said.
Every station starts with a passage from the Bible, followed by questions to help the participant reflect on the message. Lastly, the participant will be asked to do an act to better understand the meaning of the particular station.
“What’s nice about Walkway is it asks really interpersonal questions and it really encourages the participant to really look into themselves and evaluate their relationship with God, their relationship with the community, their relationship with their family,” said Garcia.
For example, in the second station, the participant will be asked to write on a red strip of paper his reflections, including his or her own struggles and sufferings.

They will also be asked to send a text message to someone who might need to hear that they too are loved.
At the 7th station, the participant will be asked to re-live the time when Jesus carried the cross, and was mocked by many, by also carrying their own cross along the walkway.
“Masakit sa kawatan, talagang mabigat siya pero it looks like mas magaan siya than the actual thing,” said Erwin, one of the participants.
[Translation: It takes a toll on your body as it’s heavier than it looks.]

Asked what he learned during the act, Erwin said it reminded him of the sufferings of Christ.
“Iyong pain and suffering na naramdaman ni Christ unimaginable since he went through torture before the actual carrying of the cross and it’s hard to just imagine what he went through just for us,” explains Erwin.
[Translation: His pain and suffering are unimaginable. He was tortured before he carried the cross.]
Participants are allowed to take photos. Organizers are reminding the public to observe the solemnity and holiness of the Stations of the Cross.

The Walkway is open until Easter Sunday from 11am until 11pm.
















