Way of the Cross Reflection

On Good Friday, high school senior Hallie Nolan portrayed Mary in the Way of the Cross, a living stations of the cross prayer experience. Read her story of taking on this role here!

This year I played the role of Mary in the Way of the Cross living stations. I am so glad that I was chosen for this part because it was an amazing experience and it truly impacted my life. I was a little leery at first to take on such a large role. I had been to the Way of the Cross many times during my life and all the other girls who played Mary made the experience incredibly moving for the audience. I wasn?t sure if I could live up to the past performances! So I decided to start praying the rosary a few times a week in hopes that Mary would pray for me and help me do a good job. The power of prayer definitely helped me! Many times throughout Lent I was exposed to different versions of Stations, with different reflections, that helped me learn more about Mary and her role in the Way of the Cross. I definitely think that I was led to those encounters because of my prayers.

The day before stations, I was sent home from school with a 102-degree fever. I was so worried that I wouldn?t be able to perform the next day! I woke up at 5:00am that morning and just started praying that God would give me the strength to spread his word that day. I did feel well enough to participate in stations, and I attribute that to my prayers. The actual performance was really different from our previous practices. It was a lot more serious and everyone seemed to truly take on his or her role. It was a very moving experience for me, and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be a part of the Way of the Cross this year. I strongly encourage anyone to come and watch next year or to participate as a character.