No distance is too far, for either the eyes or the heart. In an effort to remain actively present as a Church and as a diocese of outreach during this pandemic crisis, the diocesan Youth Ministry team, together with Archbishop Christian Lépine, organized an online Via Lucis event held Thursday, April 30. Over 250 participants connected via the cloud platform, Zoom, which facilitates digital and video interaction between the hosting organizers and the audience “assembly”.

The Montreal Youth Ministry team and Archbishop Lépine explored different ways to help respond to the needs of young people across the diocese and offer them a space to continue to receive spiritual and social accompaniment despite the social distancing: "The Holy Spirit has creativity," Archbishop Lépine said on-screen. He expressed a desire to remain connected to young people who are also experiencing difficult times: "We will be innovative in our efforts to make connections, while seeking what unites us, our faith in Jesus Christ," he added. 

Way of Light 

This online version of Via Lucis, which means "Way of Light", was a beautiful illustration of creativity resulting from their search. The concept, somewhat similar in its formula to the Way of the Cross, is a form of Christian devotion reflecting on the Resurrection of Christ. Comprising the arrangement of 14 stations, the Via Lucis serves as a contemplative journey through the events that took place after the Resurrection, and offers a means to celebrate the joy of the Easter season more deeply. The Paschal season, which lasts 50 days, was among the liturgical trivia included in an optional, interactive quiz introduced at the start of the event.

Beginning with the Empty Tomb through to the first Pentecost, the 14 stations were each introduced with the opening “We adore You, the risen Jesus, and we bless You, because through Your resurrection You fill us with hope and joy”. A unified "Hallelujah" would resonate from the assembly of viewers. Each station sequence included a Gospel reading,  a brief meditation and a moment of silence, after which participants responded with "Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Christ is risen. Hallelujah!" Each station concluded with a prayer chosen or written by the young people, including a song to accompany the transition from one station to another.

Young people offer their heartfelt prayer 

Over 40 young participants representing different groups across the diocese were involved in the organization and animation of the event, facilitating the contribution of many talents, and helping lead everyone into prayer while serving as lectors and providing musical accompaniment. The meditations and prayers were deeply relevant and life-giving, speaking directly to the realities young people face today, particularly in this global crisis, i.e. the stress students are experiencing at the end of their school year; the loss of celebrating graduation together as a class; the isolation and separation from friends; the restrictive confinement experienced at home or with their families; the challenges of finding summer employment; the suffering of seniors in CHSLDs and the struggles of their caregivers; the pain of those suffering abuse at home; the uncertainty of what the future holds and the sense of helplessness in witnessing the surge of needs everywhere; leadership from our governments; those who have taken ill by the virus, both the sick and the deceased; the upset hearts of those engaged-to-be-married without the company of their loved ones; and more. Through all these petitions, the Via Lucis was designed to help encourage everyone to remain steadfast in their courage and to experience the Hope of Easter more profoundly.

Three phases, one Baptism

The evening concluded with a closing word from Archbishop Lépine. He highlighted three common stages experienced by many in times of crisis: shock, reaction and recovery, and proactiveness through initiative! Following this “pilgrimage” in the footsteps of the Risen One, everyone was invited to renew the grace of their Baptism by lighting a candle in their homes: "Go and bring the light of Christ's resurrection to others," the Archbishop concluded as he gave the final blessing.

The Youth Ministry team remained available online to "chat" with participants following the event.

Click here, to revisit the Via Lucis.