Members of youth ministry and students at Maine Catholic schools will present the Living Stations of the Cross around the state leading up to Easter Sunday, April 12.

The Stations of the Cross began as the practice of pious pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem to retrace the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary. They have been prayed for centuries, allowing Christians who are unable to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to spiritually follow in the steps that Jesus took from his arrest and judgment to his crucifixion, death, and burial.

The youth presentations are set for (alphabetical order by city/town):

Augusta
St. Michael School students will present the Living Stations of the Cross on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., and on Good Friday, April 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church on 41 Western Avenue in Augusta.

Bangor
Eighth-grade students from All Saints School in Bangor will present the Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 3 p.m. at St. John Church on 217 York Street in Bangor.

Biddeford
On Good Friday, April 10, students at St. James School in Biddeford will present the Living Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church, located on 178 Elm Street in Biddeford, at 8:30 a.m. 

Brunswick
On Good Friday, April 10, students at St. John's Catholic School will present the Living Stations of the Cross at St. John the Baptist Church, located on 39 Pleasant Street in Brunswick, at 10:45 a.m.

Falmouth
Youth at Holy Martyrs Church in Falmouth will present the Living Stations of the Cross at the church, located on 266 Foreside Road, on Friday, March 20, at 6:45 p.m.

Freeport
Youth at St. Jude Church in Freeport will present the Living Stations of the Cross at the church, located on 134 Main Street, on Friday, April 3, at 5:30 p.m.

Gray
Youth at St. Gregory Church in Gray will present the Living Stations of the Cross at the church, located on 24 North Raymound Road, on Friday, March 27, at 5:30 p.m.

Houlton
The Living Stations of the Cross will be presented by St. Mary Youth Ministry and Edge Middle School Ministry at St. Mary of the Visitation Church on 112 Military Street in Houlton on Friday, April 3, at 5:15 p.m.

Portland
Students from St. Brigid School in Portland will present the Living Stations of the Cross at St. Pius X Church, located on 492 Ocean Avenue, following the 9 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, April 8.

Presque Isle
The Living Stations of the Cross will be presented by the youth ministry of the Parish of the Precious Blood at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, located on 331 Main Street in Presque Isle, on Friday, March 13, at 6 p.m.

Saint Agatha
Directed by Father Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN, the youth of Our Lady of the Valley Parish will present the Living Stations of the Cross on Sunday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Church on 379 Main Street in St. Agatha. Join in this prayerful Lenten experience and support the efforts of the youth of the parish. A light Lenten supper will be served afterwards in the church hall.

South Portland
On Good Friday, April 10, students at Holy Cross School will present the Living Stations of the Cross at Holy Cross Church, located on 124 Cottage Road, at 9 a.m.

Wells
The Living Stations of the Cross will be presented by middle schoolers at Holy Spirit Parish on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Church on 236 Eldridge Road in Wells. The presentation will be followed by a simple supper served by high school seniors in the parish.

Yarmouth
Youth at Sacred Heart Church in Yarmouth will present the Living Stations of the Cross at the church, located on 326 Main Street, on Friday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m.

Parishes often include the Stations of the Cross in their Lenten observances because it is a season in which believers are called to deeper prayer and to reflection upon Christ's passion and death. To view a listing of parishes offering the Stations of the Cross, including dates and times, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/content/stations-cross.

The listings are part of a special Lent section that has been created on the Diocese of Portland’s website featuring resources to assist you during your Lenten journey, including Mass times, special event listings, a “Saints of Lent” section, a Lenten calendar, faith formation and Scripture reflections, retreat information, ways to share your gifts, and Lenten messages from Pope Francis. To visit the site, which will be updated throughout Lent, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/lent-resources.