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In this unusual time of isolation, members of the Thomas Aquinas community have had to find creative ways to participate in the spiritual life of the College. This past weekend, they did just that, praying and worshiping together — even if not in the same space.

On Friday afternoon the College offered a Drive-Through Stations of the Cross along the Via Crucis on the California campus. (See slideshow, above.) Cars coming from as far as Santa Clarita drove by the College’s beautiful outdoor Stations, a gift of College Governor Robert Barbera, their occupants saying prayers along the way. Before they left, the faithful were able to collect palm leaves, blessed by Head Chaplain Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., for their families’ Palm Sunday celebrations.

At those celebrations, they were able to watch as Fr. Paul offered the first of the year’s livestreamed Masses from Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel. Dan Grimm (’76), choir director on the California campus, led a smaller version of the Thomas Aquinas College Choir, which provided sacred music. Nearly 1,000 members of the broader community downloaded the Mass, video of which is available below:

“Fortunately we can be united in spirit for this Holy Sacrifice through the help of the Internet, as we have this very strange beginning to Holy Week,” said Fr. Paul in his homily. “Through Our Lord’s guidance of all things, He is asking this of us during the time of His passion. This time of spiritual desolation for us, taking place during the remembrance of His own desolation at Calvary. Our Lord is giving us a sign to look to Calvary to find peace in the midst of our dismay, and hope in joining ourselves more closely to Him.”

For this week’s Holy Triduum, the College will offer Drive-Through Stations of the Cross once again on Good Friday, April 10, from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at its California campus. Those who visit the Stations are asked to enter directly from the road at the stone arch by the gatehouse and remain in their vehicles. Staff will be on hand to direct traffic on and off of the campus. Although the College will not be able to provide printed prayer materials, the traditional prayers of St. Alphonsus Liguori can be downloaded from the College website. 

Meanwhile, all the Triduum and Easter observances will be livestreamed from Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, available at ThomasAquinas.edu/Mass or via the College’s YouTube Channel

“With closed churches and suspension of sacraments, let us see the possibility of imitating [Our Lady] in a way that has, perhaps in our lives, never before been possible,” said Fr. Paul. “And during this Holy Week especially, seek to glorify Christ with a faith that will save not only our souls, but the souls of many in our families, in our country, and even throughout the world.”

Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020
  • Drive-Through Stations 2020