One of the gifts the Crosier Fathers and Brothers are called to bear to the world is the spirituality of the Cross. During the upcoming Lenten season, we wish to share this spirituality by offering a service of Prayer Around the Cross each Friday of Lent at 7:00 PM in the crypt at the Cathedral of St. Mary in St. Cloud. We will begin on Feb. 15 and continue Feb. 22, March 1, 8, 15, and 22.

The prayer format for each week will be in the style of Taizé prayer which uses very simple and repetitive music to help us meditate on the Cross of Jesus Christ. This Prayer Around the Cross with the Crosiers from Onamia is one way of expressing our communion with the crucified Christ, with people who suffer and are in need of healing, and with those who gather. We also want to pray for vocations, especially for the Crosier Order as God seeks to call the next generations of Crosiers to carry the Cross of Christ into our world.

These Lenten gatherings of Prayer Around the Cross are sponsored by the National Shrine of St. Odilia which marks its 60th anniversary. For six decades, people from around the country have called upon the Crosiers, through St. Odilia, to help them in their special needs to see and understand God’s presence and call more clearly. At the conclusion of each Lenten prayer, the Crosiers will offer a ritual blessing with the relic of St. Odilia to those in need of healing.

Following the prayer each Friday, there will be time to meet and visit with the Crosiers and other guests during a simple reception. There will also be materials also available about Crosier Religious Life for anyone who would like some helpful vocation discernment resources.

Please join us Crosiers and our other guests for this Prayer Around the Cross at 7:00 PM each Friday of Lent in the crypt at the Cathedral of St. Mary, located at 25 Eighth Avenue South in downtown St. Cloud. The prayer will last about 45 minutes. Since the crypt is located on the ground level, there is easy access for all. Everyone is welcome.