Franciscans are called to a spirituality of encounter. We encounter Christ in the Eucharist (and all the Sacraments), Scriptures, in prayer, in creation, and in each other. We are called to walk with Jesus – to pick up our cross and to follow Him.

In the time of St. Francis, pilgrims would walk across Europe to Jerusalem to literally walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows, is the meandering route through the narrow and crowded streets of the bustling old city of Jerusalem where pilgrims recall and reflect upon Jesus carrying his cross to Calvary. Francis was so touched by the experience of walking the Via Dolorosa, that when he returned from the Holy Land, he popularized this experience of the ‘Stations of the Cross’ so that all Christians could share in the experience. Each time you see the ‘Stations of the Cross’ devotion on the walls of a Catholic church, or as a prayer walk, you’re looking at a Franciscan devotion – a Franciscan gift to the church.

In the Stations of the Cross, we encounter the Passion of Christ. We prayerfully walk with Jesus. In both the Gospel of John and depicted in the San Damiano cross, we are like the apostle John, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary’s sister (Salome), Mary (wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene – we are present at the foot of the Cross.

This Lent, let us be present at the foot of the Cross. Present through the ‘Via Dolorosa’ we each experience in our own lives. Let us open our hearts to the suffering of others. Let us accept in gratitude all that Jesus has done for us.

Let this Lent be a spirituality of Encounter.

Laura Chun

LENTEN DEVOTIONS
Consider participating in our Lenten prayers and devotions
to center and prepare yourself for our Easter celebration.

LENTEN “TAIZE PRAYER”
Wednesdays of Lent
7 p.m. ‐ Old Mission Church
All are welcome to our beautiful Taize Prayer Service.
Through meditative and simple chants and candlelight,
we are brought into the presence of God. Then, we
venerate a special cross—a replica of the cross of Taize.
Our prayer will be bilingual.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays of Lent in the Old Mission Church
5:30 p.m. English and
7:00 p.m. Spanish

LENTEN COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION SERVICES
We encourage you to attend any of the services listed
below, including our own, as our parish will not be offering
the regular Saturday Sacrament of Reconciliation until
Saturday, April 18, 2020.
St. Margaret (Oceanside)
Wed., March 4, 2020 ‐ 7:00 p.m.
Nativity (Rancho Santa Fe)
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 ‐ 6:00 p.m.
MISSION SAN LUIS REY PARISH
Wednesday, March 11,2020 ‐ 1:00 p.m. OR 6:30 p.m.
St. Patrick (Carlsbad)
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 ‐ 7:00 p.m.
St. Francis (Vista)
Thursday, March 19, 2020 ‐ 12:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.