Blessing of the Stations of the Cross

 We finally finished and had the blessing of our beautiful Stations of the Cross which span 1/3 of a mile there and back again.  We started the day with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Traditional Rite).  Then had everyone who was able to make it over for dinner.

 The day proved to be absolutely gorgeous and we were spared the heavy rains and the heat wave we had been having.

 Then we had the Rite for Erecting the Stations of the Cross on the Feast of St. Veronica of the Veil! God works out all details!  The Rite was taken from Sancta Missa, which is the same rite used since the 1700's!  I love all the connection we still have with the saints!

 Whoever does not seek the cross of Christ 

does not seek the glory of Christ.

St. John of the Cross

 Most of our young ladies' choir was present so we had the singing in order. We began with "Veni Creator Spiritus"

 First our priest blessed and incensed the Stations. We all had booklets to follow along with. It was very beautiful.

 After the blessing of the Stations, he blessed the crucifixes that would be placed on each Station.

 At each Station he would kiss the crucifix and hang it, giving a short sentence or two about each Station.

He closed with the following: "By virtue of the faculty granted me, I, Father Alex ..., erected the
Way of the Cross with its annexed indulgences, outside at the home of the [this] Family in the delegation, in accord with the rules prescribed by the Congregation of Sacred Indulgences on May 10, 1742. In testimony of which, I have affixed my signature on this day.

We ended with the singing of "Holy God We Praise Thy Name"

 The signing of the document.

 Our bakery friends made a delicious cake.

 They also made homemade marshmallow that we were able to cut up and toast over an open fire... that is what was left after picking at it. They were soooo yummy!

Samwise ended the glorious day with some very spendid fireworks.