For many years we have hosted a Stations of the Cross prayer service on Good Friday as a way of joining Jesus on his journey to the cross. Sadly, the beautiful chapel we have used is no longer in existence so this year we are inviting you to join us virtually. When we have invited people to join us in the past, hundreds of Christians from around the world – including Australia, Austria, Canada, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Philippines, South Africa, and Taiwan – kept vigil together on Good Friday.

Our staff team will be gathering to pray the stations of the cross at noon on Good Friday in our own small chapel; it will be a joy to know you are joining us.

Keeping Vigil

Ruth Haley Barton

“Who can stay awake in this night of God? Who will not be as if paralyzed by it? Christ’s struggle was with God. This was his real agony. He overcame it through his self-surrender. That was his victory, and our hope.”  –Jurgen Moltmann

It is a custom of the Christian church to keep vigil with Christ at different times and in different ways throughout the three holiest days of the Church year–Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.  During these days, we surrender ourselves completely to being with Christ in the depths of his passion on our behalf.

One of the places from which we draw this custom is Jesus’ request to the disciples to be near him and keep watch while he prayed and agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane. We also know that there were those few–including Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother Mary, and John–who stayed near the cross and kept watch as Jesus suffered and died.  Despite the horror of what was taking place, they kept company with him until the very end.

As part of our Holy Week observance, we invite you to join us as we keep vigil with Christ on Good Friday by praying between the hours of 12:00 and 3:00 p.m.  See directions below.

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Let us walk prayerfully into these holiest of days, watching and waiting with Christ through the darkness of his death and burial so that together we can celebrate the joy of the Resurrection. We pray together…

Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

Enter into a moving experience whether you are alone or with others by utilizing our 32-page published prayer guide which includes compelling art, Scripture, prayer, and space for silence at each station. You might also choose to fast through lunch as a way of joining with Christ in his suffering.

Here’s how to participate:

1. Purchase our Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide.  If cost is an issue or shipping is prohibitive, make a donation of any size (select Stations of the Cross on the donation form) and receive our 5-page abbreviated prayer guide (prayers only) for your personal use. It will be emailed to you on the Wednesday of Holy Week.
2. Leave a comment below indicating the time slot you will be praying and the state or country from which you will be praying. It is a strength for all of us to know we are praying with others around the world.
3. Use the share buttons on this page to encourage others to join us in keeping vigil on Good Friday.

Time slots:
12:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 2:00
2:00 – 3:00

Order now to ensure delivery before Good Friday. We cannot guarantee delivery for US orders received after Sunday March 25. Donors will receive the prayers (pdf) via email on Wednesday of Holy week.