Virtual Way of the Cross led by Lorraine Hess

By Christine Bordelon

There’s one thing the COVID-19 virus cannot destroy. That’s the individual love of their faith that Catholics have, especially during this season of Lent.

A “Way of the Cross Reflections and Music” by singer/songwriter Lorraine Hess, originally was scheduled for the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Retreat Center Chapel in Metairie, has become an online event that will be presented April 6 at 7 p.m. on Facebook.
The address is  https://www.facebook.com/Lorraine-Hess-Music-727020550697777/ . It also will be available throughout Holy Week via a link on the retreat center’s website,  neworleansretreats.com.

Hess pre-recorded the virtual Way of the Cross in the music room of her home using music and meditations to the booklet “Mary’s Way of the Cross” by Richard Furey ( www.twentythirdpublications.com). She used this Way of the Cross during a recent event for Catholic Women in Action and “was very moved by it.” 

Originally outdoors
Shannon Haddad, director of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, said the idea for the original event was prompted by the completion of the retreat center’s Pathway of Prayer project that was designed to offer a prayerful way for retreatants and guests to pray the refurbished, outdoor Way of the Cross during Lent. Limited sound equipment caused the event to be planned indoors. The COVID-19 virus restructured the project, yet again.

“I'm hoping this will be an opportunity for us to continue our ministry of offering a spiritual retreat (even if remotely) as well as reach a much larger audience than we could have physically housed,” Haddad said. “We pray this is an opportunity for us to continue to be united in prayer and for us to be reminded of God's great love for us and our world as we enter into Holy Week."

Hess said she’s been relying on the intercession of the Blessed Mother during this crisis and thought a Mary’s Way of the Cross with music and meditations would be a beautiful way to honor her.

“This is my effort to get the music to the people during Holy Week, which is such a special time for so many of us,” Hess said.
"On behalf of the staff at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, we would like to thank Lorraine for helping us provide the opportunity for an online experience that will hopefully offer spiritual nourishment and comfort during these uncertain times,” Haddad said. “We have never done anything like this before, and I’m personally so excited to venture into this digital world, especially during a time when digital communication is what is keeping many communities together.”

Haddad said the retreat center will be working on other resources to make available for the public to use online while the virus outbreak continues and the retreat center’s campus is closed.

The virtual Way of the Cross event is free. Online contributions will be accepted for the retreat center. To donate, go to  https://neworleansretreats.com/donate.

Christine Bordelon can be reached at  [email protected].