Students at St. Thomas More RC Academy, North Shields have been busy preparing and reflecting on the Stations of the Cross this Lent.
It all started before Christmas when a competition was launched in school to submit photographs that sum up each station. They were reflecting over broader themes such as “crushed” for when Jesus falls whilst carrying the cross, and “a helper” for when Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus to carry the cross. The submissions could have been a literal take on a part of the story, or a contemporary or abstract take on what are familiar images to all of us.
There were lots of entries, but eventually they were whittled down to the chosen few which were printed on canvases and hung around school all in time for their launch on Ash Wednesday.
This means that there is now a physical representation of Jesus’ walk to Calvary around the school site. Year 7 students in the school have been the first to walk this path; they have been led by Sixth Form students who have been offering points of personal reflection at each station. There will also be a liturgy for the Year 7s towards the end of Lent where they will round off their experience of walking the Way of the Cross.
The Stations have also been printed for use in the local parishes; and already have toured the parishes of St Cuthbert & St Joseph in North Shields and Our Lady & St Oswin and St Mary in Cullercoats and Tynemouth and it is expected that they will enter the other parishes in the Deanery of St. Oswin and the newly formed “North Tyneside Partnership” soon. The feedback from parishioners has been overwhelmingly positive and many have appreciated the chance to reflect and pray over a new take on the Stations through the eyes of a young student.
School chaplain, Michael Thompson, said, “It has been an enriching experience for all those who have been involved in these Stations of the Cross. From the students who contemplated the meaning behind each station to represent in a contemporary photograph, to the students who have walked the Way of the Cross around school. It has also meant a lot to parishioners throughout the deanery who have had a chance to reflect on the story of Jesus’s death from the point of view of young people.”
Michael Thompson, Chaplain
‘Judged‘ by Abbie Herron
1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death
“I wanted it to be so that there was a vulnerable person in the centre with various other people trying to attack the vulnerable person. This was what it was like for Jesus when he claimed to be the Son of God, and was judged for who he really was. This photograph had to show emotion, as well as represent the real meaning of how it actually feels to be judged by someone.”
‘The Burden‘ by Abbie Herron
2nd Station: Jesus receives the cross
“When I was walking by the beach, I came across a window in an ancient castle which had bars going across it as if there was no escape. I wanted this photograph to show how Jesus was very vulnerable, and defenceless at the time. I used hands wrapped tightly around the bars to show that he was helpless and weak. This was exactly how I think Jesus felt when he received the cross.”
‘Fallen‘ by Ben Fenwick
3rd Station: Jesus falls for the first time
“I took this photo at Seaton Delaval Hall. I liked the subject because of the colours and textures. It also reminds me of when Jesus fell whilst carrying the cross on the lead up to his death and resurrection.”
‘A Meeting‘ by Jake Fitzpatrick
4th Station: Jesus meets his mother
“The meeting between Mary and Jesus represents a loving and caring interaction. I attempted to parallel this in my photograph by portraying a meeting in which similar adoration is felt.”
‘A Helper‘ by Jake Fitzpatrick
5th Station: Simon helps Jesus carry the cross
“This photo was taken in Nice, France and I feel it heavily represents the struggle Jesus went through when he carried his cross to his death. I feel this image also represents the help we receive from Jesus in the modern day.”
‘A Kindness‘ by Alex Kilpatrick
6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
“I chose this image because it shows a fallen girl being helped up by a kind helper. I took it at a low angle so others could view the photo from the perspective of the fallen girl; we try to imagine from the perspective of Jesus.”
‘Crushed‘ by Joshua Miller
7th Station: Jesus falls for the second time
“The fragility of the paper and its deformed, dislocated structure abstractly represents Jesus’ second fall on his walk with the cross by expressing the feeble, soft paper as Jesus’ figure, how he was frail and tired, whipped and beaten. This piece shows his struggle and could suggest how Jesus feels disturbed and crushed by his sacrifice for our sins.”
‘Selfless‘ by Lydia Clark
8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
“The word selfless describes being concerned with the needs and wishes of others over our own. The hand in my photograph represents God while the crucifix is a reminder to mankind that God sent his son to save us and is foreshadowing what quarrels we face today. The Lord reminds us of the dangers within and around us, and Jesus teaches us to remain selfless, while we also look to God to offer compassionate words and enjoy the hope of a new life through grace and conversion. We look to be inspired by the pain that Jesus suffered for us, in order to live kind, caring and selfless lives.”
‘Falls Again‘ by Angela Pascua
9th Station: Jesus falls for the third time
“The photo taken represents the ninth station of the cross, where Jesus falls the third time. The main focus of the photo is a child who has fallen over. Illustrating how Jesus felt at that moment, the representation of falling shows the pain and hurt that he couldn’t overcome. Furthermore, it symbolises the impending weight of tiredness and dwindling consciousness that was present.”
‘Vulnerable‘ by Angela Pascua
10th Station: Jesus is stripped of his clothing
“Differing from the original inspiration, the photo is meant to show the vulnerability he felt as he was stripped of his garments. This is due to the fact that the act was weakening his emotional and physical strength, as well as his tolerance. Glass symbolises fragility. This idea correlates with the way he felt at this time as the broken glass shows the damage put onto his interior and exterior wellbeing.”
‘The Pain‘ by William Beattie
11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
“This photo was taken at Seaham Beach, County Durham. It represents the sacrifice Christ made for us. The pole standing firm in the waves represents Christ’s steadfast love for us even though our world is continually changing.”
‘Death‘ by Paddy Easton
12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross
“My photo was taken in Whitley Bay Cemetery where I came across three crosses. These three crosses link to when Jesus was on the cross with the two thieves next to him.”
‘Embrace‘ by Alex Kilpatrick
13th Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross
“I chose this image because when I think of an embrace I immediately think of a hug. I used the flash to make the background dark so the focus would be on the embrace. I wanted all the brightness on them to show light and warmth in a dark, cold place and time – this is a metaphor for when Jesus was taken down from the cross.”
‘The End?‘ by Holly Watson
14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
“This photo represents the tomb where Jesus’ body was placed. As soon as I saw this arch I took a picture because Jesus’ tomb could have looked something like this. This photo was taken at Chillingham Castle.”
‘Risen‘ by Issie Ritchie
15th Station: The resurrection
“My photo was taken in the Lake District. The sunrise symbolises how Jesus rose again: just like the sun’s rays light up the lake, the light of Jesus lights up the hearts of everyone.”