Holy Experience.

On a trip to Orlando, Florida , U.S.A., years ago, we went to a place to experience Holy Land, where they simulate the area of Jerusalem during the days and times of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Holy Land Experience consisted mostly of several life-size Biblical scenes packed into its 15-acres. A Jerusalem street market, the Dead Sea Scroll caves, Herod's Temple, the tomb of Jesus -- were all there, impressively rendered. The park crew and employees wore period costume and we, the visitors quickly grew accustomed seeing Roman soldiers and coarse-robed civilians scurrying about in Birkenstock sandals, on their way to their next musical performance.

And towards noon, there was a re-enactment of the Passion and Death of Jesus.

The re-enactment started with the Way of the Cross when Jesus had been condemned to die by crucifixion, up to the carrying of the Cross from Pilate's palace to the narrow streets of olden Israel, and up to the Mount of Golgotah and ended with the crucifixion.

It was a very touching play; it was almost like being there, at the "moment" when Christ was suffering and dying.

But it was all a dramatization.

In our parish of San Andres Apostol, we have a "real" Station of the Cross which started on the first Friday of Lent and will end on Friday before the start of the Holy Week.

The San Andres Apostol Station of the Cross starts from the Church and goes to 14 houses within the village via a procession bearing the image of the Black Nazarene and a replica of the wooden cross of Christ.

It is a "live" Station of the Cross wherein a station of the cross is assigned to a particular house and parishioners move in a procession, from station to station or house to house, bearing a replica of the wooden Cross of Christ, and the image of the Senor Nazareno (Black Nazarene).

Church workers and parishioners join parish priest Fr. Vic on Lenten Friday Station of the Cross.

At each Station of the Cross, prayers are recited and a "personal sharing" is done by a parishioner or a church worker.

Author shares his story of conversion. 

* Pictures/images of Station of the Cross, courtesy of San Andres Apostol facebook account.