Couva parish takes Stations of the Cross to the streets

The solemn act of praying the Stations of the Cross took on a whole new meaning for the parish of St Paul’s in Couva this Lent. Parishioners answered the call of parish priest Fr Trevor Nathasingh to take up the cross and walk the streets “to go out and witness,” turning public roads into “church” and to take the message of the cross and the Passion of Christ to the communities.

For five weeks, nine groups carried crosses specially built and donated by a parishioner and walked the communities of Carolina, Orange Valley, Roystonia, Lisas Gardens, Preysal, Exchange, Central Park, Balmain Gardens and  the bustling streets of Couva praying the 14 Stations that Jesus walked on His journey to Calvary.

At each Station, we prayed for the country, our parish, conversion of souls, peace, an end to crime, violence and wars, an end to crimes against women and children and for good governance. We prayed the rosary and sang hymns.  Along the way we were joined by persons of different faiths, and householders took time to listen.

It felt as if the Lord Himself was with us on this journey. There was a peacefulness and respect from those who witnessed our journey as we walked our faith. No one heckled or made derogatory remarks people were curious and some asked what it was about. What a wonderful journey this was, to bear public witness throughout the Lenten period to our faith.

We visited the homes of some who were ill and shut-in and whose hearts were with us—sad that they could not be part of the journey but happy that we included them by visiting and praying a Station or two with them and their families.

The message was clear: the faith is alive and active. By taking the Stations of the Cross to the streets, the people of St Paul’s did not just commemorate a historical event—we invited the entire community to walk the path of the Cross together.  Our walk was testimony to the faith our parish priest placed in us and of the adage that when we work together, in this case walk together, we can achieve great things.

May God continue to bless Fr Trevor, Deacon Andy Singh and the entire parish of St Paul’s Couva as we continue our mission to go out and be Church wherever we are.

—Roger Sant, photos courtesy parishioners