13 March 2018

Following the Stations
of the Cross in Lent 28:
Millstreet 11: Jesus
is nailed to the cross

Station 11 at Saint John’s Well, Millstreet, Co Cork … Jesus is nailed to the cross (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

In my meditations and reflections in Lent this year, I am being guided by the Stations of the Cross from three locations. The idea for this series of morning Lenten meditations came from reading about Peter Walker’s new exhibition, ‘Imagining the Crucifixion,’ inspired by the Stations of the Cross, which opened in Lichfield Cathedral last month and continues throughout Lent.

Throughout Lent, my meditations each morning are inspired by three sets of Stations of the Cross that I have found either inspiring or unusual. They are the stations in Saint Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, at Saint John’s Well on a mountainside near Millstreet, Co Cork, and in the Chapel of Saint John’s Hospital, Lichfield.

In my meditations, I am drawing on portions of the Stabat Mater, the 12th century hymn of the Crucifixion (‘At the cross her station keeping’) attributed to the Franciscan poet Jacopone da Todi. Some prayers are traditional, some are from the Book of Common Prayer, and other meditations and prayers are by Canon Frank Logue and the Revd Victoria Logue of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.

For these two weeks, I am looking at the 14 Stations of the Cross at Saint John’s Well in a forested area on the slopes of Mushera, outside Millstreet in north Co Cork and close to the Cork/Kerry border.

Saint John’s Well is 8 or 9 km south-east of Millstreet, on the slopes of Mushera, on the Aubane side of the mountain, opposite the entrance to Millstreet Country Park. The Stations date from 1984 and were designed by Liam Cosgrave and Sons, Sculptors, of Blackpool, Cork.

Millstreet 11: Jesus is nailed to the cross

In the eleventh station by Liam Cosgrave in Millstreet, one man alone nails Christ to the Cross.

There is one last hand to nail to the arm of the cross.

It is almost done.

They are alone on the top of the hill, outside the city.

Two trees on the hill are a hint that soon two thieves will also be nailed to two crosses on the hilltop.

One will ask for mercy and forgiveness and he will receive the promise he seeks from Christ.

Below, there is a cluster of trees.

Is this the Garden of Gethsemane?

Is this the vineyard that inspired the image of the True Vine?

Above, there are clouds of doom as darkness prepares to descend.

Or do I see a dove of peace, the Holy Spirit?

From Stabat Mater:

Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Holy Mother, pierce me through!
In my heart, each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

Meditation:

Cold steel. Warm flesh
Nails rip through tendon and muscle.
Blood soaks into splintered wood.
Jesus responds:
‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’

Prayers:

Merciful Redeemer, you declared your forgiveness from the cross, showing love to those who killed you and to the thief dying alongside you. Help us to know and count the cost of our forgiveness, bought at so great a price. This we pray in the name of Jesus, our crucified Lord, the King of Glory, the King of Peace. Amen.

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

You are stretched out on the cross you have carried so far. The soldiers take big nails and drive them into your hands and feet. You feel abandoned by the people you loved so much. People seem to have gone mad. You have done nothing but good, yet they drive nails through your hands and feet.

A prayer before walking to the next station:

Holy God,
Holy and mighty Holy immortal one,
Have mercy on us.

Tomorrow: Station 12: Jesus dies on the cross.

Yesterday’s reflection

Saint John’s Well on the slopes of Mushera, outside Millstreet, Co Cork (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Rathkeale parish notes in
‘Newslink’ March 2018

Burning Palm Crosses from Palm Sunday last year to prepare ashes for Ash Wednesday this year (Photograph: Barbara Comerford)

Rathkeale & Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Kilcornan and Kilnaughtin

Priest-in-Charge: Revd Canon Patrick Comerford
The Rectory, Askeaton, Co Limerick.

In preparation for Lent, time was spent in the Rectory on a recent Sunday afternoon burning Palm Crosses from Palm Sunday last year to prepare ashes for Ash Wednesday this year.

This is a traditional way of preparing ashes for Ash Wednesday. This year, we are marking Lent, Holy Week and Easter in the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes with traditional services and with a Lenten study group meeting in the Rectory.

The study group is meeting in the Rectory on different dates in Lent, using ‘All Thigs Are Possible,’ a study course produced by the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) and exploring how faith in God can change the world. Watch the parish Facebook page for dates and details.

There are services at 8 p.m. each evening in Holy Week, with two noteworthy changes this year. The Good Friday service is being brought forward in the day to the more traditional time of 12 noon to 3 p.m. with a series of reflections on Christ’s journey to Calvary for the Three Hours. Some people will want to drop into Saint Mary’s, Askeaton, for shorter or longer times during these three hours, without feeling they have to stay for the full three hours. Parishioners are invited to drop in, stay a while, and take time to listen to the readings, reflection, pray, and wait a while in the silence.

There is a slight adjustment too to the times of the Easter Eucharists or Celebrations of the Holy Communion this year, with two celebrations on Saturday evening and two on Easter morning.

Sunday 4 March (Lent 3): 9.30, the Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion), Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin, Tarbert.

Sunday 11 March (Lent 4, Mothering Sunday): 9.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Castletown Church; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.

Saturday 17 March, Saint Patrick’s Day: 11, The Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Mary’s, Askeaton.

Sunday 18 March (Lent 5): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Saint Mary’s, Askeaton; 11.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Brendan’s, Kilnaughtin, Tarbert.

Holy Week:

Sunday 25 March (Palm Sunday, Lent 6): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Castletown; 11.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Holy Trinity, Rathkeale.

Monday 26 March: 8 p.m., Evening Prayer, Saint Mary’s, Askeaton.

Tuesday 27 March: 8 p.m., Late Evening Office, Saint Brendan’s, Kilnaughtin.

Wednesday 28 March: 8 p.m., Compline, Holy Trinity, Rathkeale.

Thursday 29 March, Maundy Thursday: 8 p.m., the Maundy Eucharist, with Washing of the Feet, Castletown Church.

Friday 30 March, Good Friday: 12 noon to 3 p.m.: The Three Hours, Christ’s journey with the Cross to Calvary, Saint Mary’s, Askeaton.

Saturday 31 March, Easter Eve: 8 p.m., The Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Holy Trinity, Rathkeale; 10 p.m., The Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Castletown Church.

Sunday 1 April, Easter Day: 9.30 a.m., the Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Mary’s, Askeaton; 11.30 a.m., the Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Brendan’s, Kilnaughtin, Tarbert.

Cathedral/Parish exchange:

The Dean of Limerick, the Very Revd Niall Sloane, visited two churches in the parish, Saint Mary’s, Askeaton, and Saint Brendan’s, Kilnaughtin, on the First Sunday in Lent, while Canon Patrick Comerford presided at the Choral Eucharist and preached in Saint Mary’s Cathedral in his capacity as Canon Precentor.

Recent funeral:

Richard Arnold Fitzell, Spa Road, Tralee and late of Glencullare, Tarbert, Co Kerry, died unexpectedly on 24 January 2018. He was the son of the late John and MaryFitzell and brother of the late Bertie). He is survived by his brother Frank, sisters Olive and Lilian, nephew Adrian, niece Alice, cousins, and an extended family. He was brought to Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin, on 26 January; his funeral took place on 27 January, and he was buried in the churchyard.

World Day of Prayer: The ecumenical service marking World Day of Prayer takes place at 8 p.m. on Friday 2 March in Cappagh Church.

The Annunciation: Because 25 March is Palm Sunday, the Feast of the Annunciation has been transferred in the Church Calendar to the week after Easter Week. The Feast of the Annunciation will be marked with a celebration of the Eucharist at 11 a.m. on Wednesday 11 April in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton.