Special Stations of the Cross in Aurora, Illinois

A crowd of approximately 125 gathered on this chilly, cloudy, and windy Good Friday afternoon to pray the Stations of the Cross near the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Aurora, Illinois. Called together by Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League activist, the group peacefully and solemnly progressed from one make-shift station to the next, as an area priest led in prayer. The Stations themselves were traditional: "The First Station: Jesus is condemned to death. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You; (all genuflect) Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world." The assembly moved through the Stations, through Christ falling three times, His being nailed to the cross, His dying on the Cross, His being laid in the tomb.

However, there were prayers included that one doesn't usually pray during the Stations. Prayers were included for the unborn who are condemned to death, for their mothers, that they may have the grace and courage to have a change of heart, for those who have aborted their unborn children, and may now be feeling "the burden of a tortured conscience--may they realize that, in spite of their sin, they are still objects of God's overwhelming and merciful love."

A message of repentence. A message of mercy and love, and the reason for Christ's life and death on the cross. No raised voices. Peaceful, prayerful fellowship.
Except for one passer-by.