Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl The Stations of the Cross Josh Estey for CRS

Station 1: Jesus is condemned In Honduras, a long history of violence, economic exploitation and inadequate infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems has condemned two-thirds of the population to live in poverty. Deirdre Evans/CRS

Human beings are not only sacred, but they are also social. How we participate in our family and community, from our daily actions to our policy decisions, affects each and every person. Catholic social teaching: Community and Participation Josh Estey for CRS

Station 2: Jesus carries the cross In Haiti, widespread deforestation has caused soil erosion, flooding and damage to the agricultural land, which reduces the number of crops that farmers can grow. As a result, the Haitian people are forced to carry the cross of food insecurity. David Snyder for CRS

We are called to be good stewards of what has been entrusted to us. Through protecting the environment in which we live, we respect the goodness of nature, a gift God has given. Catholic social teaching: Care for God’s Creation Josh Estey for CRS

Station 3: Jesus falls the 1st time In Senegal, 48 percent of the population has fallen beneath the burden of unemployment. This largely agricultural economy is often threatened by inconsistent rains, locust invasions, and unreceptive foreign markets. Lane Hartill/CRS

The ability to work to earn a living is a right of all people. All workers have the right to a fair wage, to organize themselves, and to work in good conditions. Catholic social teaching: Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers Josh Estey for CRS

Station 4: Jesus meets His mother In Kenya, 1.6 million children have lost their mother, father or both parents to HIV-related infections. These children struggle to survive without proper medical, nutritional and educational support. David Snyder for CRS

We must take responsibility to protect the rights of all people. These rights include the right to life, food, shelter, education, and employment, along with political and cultural rights. Catholic social teaching: Rights and Responsibilities Josh Estey for CRS

Station 5: Simon helps Jesus carry the cross Since 1943 Catholic Relief Services has helped carry the cross for our brothers and sisters in need by providing assistance with housing, water systems, health services, agriculture, and response to emergencies. Sara A. Fajardo/CRS

We are one human family, regardless of our differences. Answering the call to love our neighbors will promote a culture of respect and lead to peace in our communities around the world. Catholic social teaching: Solidarity Josh Estey for CRS

Station 6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus There are more than 1 billion people around the world who regularly suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Most are women and children. Lane Hartill /CRS

We are one human family, regardless of our differences. Answering the call to love our neighbors will promote a culture of respect and lead to peace in our communities around the world. Catholic social teaching: Solidarity Josh Estey for CRS

Station 7: Jesus falls the 2nd time In Indonesia, the villages in the province of East Flores have fallen beneath the cross of food insecurity. Limited rain, poor soil fertility, inadequate access to water, a lack of crop diversification, and a lack of access to markets are a few of the many factors that have constrained agricultural productivity in this region. David Snyder for CRS

As a community of faith, we have the obligation to reach out to those most in need. The Gospel specifically calls us to take action on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society. Catholic social teaching: Option for the Poor Josh Estey for CRS

Station 8: Jesus comforts the women In the coastal and north eastern provinces of Kenya, an estimated 1 million children are out of school, and the majority of these children are girls. Significant disparities also exist in pre-school enrollment. Debbie DeVoe /CRS

We must take responsibility to protect the rights of all people. These rights include the right to life, food, shelter, education, and employment, along with political and cultural rights. Catholic social teaching: Rights and Responsibilities Josh Estey for CRS

Station 9: Jesus falls the 3rd time In Senegal women often fall beneath the burden of supporting their families without a stable source of income. Lane Hartill /CRS

The ability to work to earn a living is a right of all people. All workers have the right to a fair wage, to organize themselves, and to work in good conditions. Catholic social teaching: Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers Josh Estey for CRS

Station 10: Jesus is stripped of His garments Today in the United States, 14.3 percent of the population is living in poverty. Photo Courtesy of Southwest Chicago Public Action to Deliver Shelter, Chicago, IL 2010

All humanity has been made in the image of God. Through our actions we must express that each person is precious and that the lives and welfare of all people are priorities. Catholic social teaching: Dignity of the Human Person Josh Estey for CRS

Station 11: Jesus is nailed to the cross Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 54 percent of its people nailed to the cross of poverty. Most people support their families through farming, but land in Haiti is often ill- used and poorly cultivated. Sara A. Fajardo /CRS

We are called to be good stewards of what has been entrusted to us. Through protecting the environment in which we live, we respect the goodness of nature, a gift God has given. Catholic social teaching: Care for God’s Creation Josh Estey for CRS

Station 12: Jesus dies on the cross Jesus died on the cross for us. In our own actions, we must follow Christ’s example of service to others, and we are called to uphold the dignity of all people. Sara A. Fajardo /CRS

All humanity has been made in the image of God. Through our actions we must express that each person is precious and that the lives and welfare of all people are priorities. Catholic social teaching: Dignity of the Human Person Josh Estey for CRS

Station 13: Jesus is taken down from the cross In Indonesia, only 11 percent of the terrain is arable land. CRS’ agriculture programs are helping farmers down from the cross of poverty by teaching them growing methods that will maximize their crop yields. David Snyder for CRS

As a community of faith, we have the obligation to reach out to those most in need. The Gospel specifically calls us to take action on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society. Catholic social teaching: Option for the Poor Josh Estey for CRS

Station: 14 Jesus is buried Because the healthcare system in Honduras is unable to meet the needs of many of its poorest inhabitants, maternal and infant mortality rates are often high in rural villages. Kim Burgo /CRS

Human beings are not only sacred, but they are also social. How we participate in our family and community, from our daily actions to our policy decisions, affects each and every person. Catholic social teaching: Community and Participation Josh Estey for CRS

Jesus is risen, Alleluia! Truly, Christ is Risen! He invites us to serve Him in serving our brothers and sisters. Let us go then, and proclaim, Christ is Risen! Amen. Debbie DeVoe /CRS