Restoration of the Seventh Station Draws Pilgrims to This Site of Jesus' Second Fall
Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) July 16, 2013 -- Tekton Ministries, a pilgrimage company based in Indiana announces that the restoration of the Seventh Station of the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem has been completed.
According to tradition, the chapel of the Seventh Station is the site where Jesus walked through the Gate of Judgment as he was sentenced to death and also where he fell for the second time.
In 1875, the Custody of the Holy Land was given possession of the site and the Franciscans, with help from France, restored much of it.
In 1995, the station was enlarge to include an adjacent warehouse which enabled more pilgrims to enter this sacred place and to meditate in a quieter setting as the station is on a very busy path at the intersection of Via Dolorosa and the Oil Market.
Beginning in December of 2012, a more extensive renovation got underway involving the wooden altar and a painting done by French artist, Francois Lafon depicting the scene of Jesus falling under the weight of the cross. Both the altar and the painting were sent to Cracow, Poland where they were restored through the generosity of Polish benefactors.
The chapel was blessed by Vicar of the Custody Fr. Artemio Vitores in June following a Mass which was celebrated on the top floor of the chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
Richard Sontag, Director of Tekton Ministries says, "Although walking the Via Dolorosa has always been an important part of our Holy Land pilgrimages, now that the chapel of the Seventh Station is more easily accessible, and has been so nicely renovated, it has become a more meditative experience for our pilgrims."
He went on to say that reflecting on the falls of Jesus helps us as Christians to accept that we too fall but, like Jesus, we get up and keep going.
The Franciscans process through the Via Dolorosa every Friday at 3PM.
For more information about Tekton Ministries, visit http://www.tektonministries.org.
Richard Sontag, Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land, http://www.tektonministries.org, 866-905-3787, [email protected]
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