This year, for the Chicago District’s annual Lenten spiritual event, members were invited to meet as a group to join the “Walk with Jesus” half-day event held on March 23, 2018, at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, Illinois. This event is open to the public and began with each attendee joining Father Colaresi, head of the Carmelite Spiritual Center, outside in the Meditation Garden. Everyone in attendance was given a pocket-sized wooden cross to carry on our journey through the Garden. Four volunteers were requested to represent the group and carry the large wooden cross as our walk began.
Although it was a windy late winter/early spring morning, there were several hundred people gathered at the Meditation Garden to pray and reflect together. The crowd processed through the outdoor Stations of the Cross, reflecting on Christ’s passion and Death while singing in between the Stations hymns reflecting the Lenten season. After walking through all 14 stations, Father Colaresi led us to a final marker in the Meditation Garden where we reflected on Christ’s Resurrection.
Following the outdoor stations, the crowd walked to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the church located on the grounds, where mass was celebrated. Following mass, attendees could visit the National Shrine of St. Therese, also located on the property, and attend a discussion on St. Therese and the Cross.
The morning activities were uplifting and enlightening leaving all who attended spiritually nourished and inspired as we moved into Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
To view photos from this event, visit the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
