Via Crucis 2013

For the second consecutive year, Episcopalians of the dioceses of Los Angeles and San Diego will participate in Called to the Wall, a one-day Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) pilgrimage to the US – Mexico border on March 25, the Monday before Easter, to demonstrate solidarity with immigrants.

The pilgrims will gather at 8:30 a.m. at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, and begin by praying the Stations of the Cross — representing Jesus’ journey from the place of his trial to the place of crucifixion — in English and Spanish. They will caravan by car to Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana, then cross over to the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, making a second stop at St. John’s, Chula Vista. At each stop participants will continue with additional Stations of the Cross.

After lunch at St. John’s, participants will continue to a parking lot near the beach in south San Diego, where they will leave their cars to take a 45-minute walk along the shore to the border fence at Friendship Park. At the border wall, Bishop Suffragan Diane Jardine Bruce of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Bishop Diocesan James Mathes of the Diocese of San Diego will celebrate Eucharist at about 3 p.m.

At the same time, on the Mexican side of the wall, clergy from the Anglican Church of Mexico also will celebrate the Eucharist.

All are invited to take part in the pilgrimage. Participants may join in at any of the several stops on the way. All transport will be by private cars traveling in caravan.

The schedule for the March 25 pilgrimage is:

• 8:30 a.m.     Meet at MacArthur Park, 2230 W. Sixth Street, Los Angeles 90057
• 10:30 a.m.   Church of the Messiah, 614 N. Bush Street, Santa Ana 92701 (714-543-9389)
• 1 p.m.          St. John’s Church, 760 First Avenue, Chula Vista 91910 (619-422-4141)
• 2 p.m.          Friendship Park parking lot (Friendship Park website)
• 3 p.m.          Eucharist at the US – Mexico border fence.

For additional information, contact Jennifer Hughes at jenniferhughes1969@gmail.com.