Way of the Cross from February 28 to April 1 2024

This is why we place the stations at fourteen locations in Volendam each year in Lent - the six weeks leading up to Easter. While walking through Volendam, you can see the images on the stations and read the accompanying texts. Jesus’ suffering, the suffering of so many people, close by or far from us, invites us to take life’s journey with awareness of what is happening around us.

Fasting, Ramadan, Dry January 

Life constantly tests us. Will we take everything offered to us? Will we join the latest craze? When Dry January started, we said: This is new! Many people proved to benefit from it, not only physically, but spiritually as well. The number of people led by Dry January to fasting as we know it in Christianity and Judaism and among Muslims (Ramadan) is surprising. 

Lent, which is much older than Dry January, is a good opportunity to arm ourselves against the worries of everyday life.

You will be amazed by what athletes are willing to sacrifice to maintain their optimum condition. This is much the same in everyday life. You want to do your work well. You study or work overtime to do so. To keep up at school, you need to listen and learn. If you are bullied, you are tested. How can you arm yourself then? Who will hear your cries for help? To raise your family right, you sometimes need to give your all and to weather storms. How do you keep your relationship healthy? How is your relationship with your children and grandchildren? How strong will we be in the face of a serious affliction with poor prospects of improvement?

Silent march, pilgrimage and following the Way of the Cross

People each have their own motives for joining a silent march, or for going on a pilgrimage to Lourdes or Compostella. An ever-growing group of people are willing to swim for charity, or to climb a high mountain, on foot or by bike. 

Some will see this as a show of compassion, as a protest or as an expression of powerlessness. Others see it as an opportunity for reflection or meditation, or to wipe the slate clean and start anew. Others still are merely voicing their concerns and speaking with God and each other, opening vistas. 

And there are some, like tourists, who are there by chance. Some of them will shrug their shoulders, be surprised, be amazed, or fail to comprehend. People sometimes bow their heads, make the sign of the cross, lay flowers or burn a candle when passing the site of a calamity, when entering the sanctum of a pilgrimage or when reaching the objective of their efforts.

Just do it

Have you ever thought of following the Way of the Cross Route for someone who needs your support, or for the bereaved? For someone who is ill or who is experiencing trouble at home? Or simply because you don’t know how to solve or address a problem? Turn it into an intention, a prayer. 

Write your intention on the cards available for this purpose in the Sint Vincentiuskerk and the Mariakerk. Prayers will be said for your intention on Friday morning in the Mariakerk and Friday evening in the Sint Vincentiuskerk. 

Comments

Comments from participants, written in the books at the back of the Sint Vincentiuskerk and the Mariakerk and in Art Hotel Spaander bear witness of the diversity. The Way of the Cross Route is appreciated. Participants are often heard to say that they will come back next year. 

Start

The route starts at the Sint Vincentiuskerk, Kerkepad (1131XN)/C.J. Conijnstraat (1131 DZ) in Volendam. 

The route ends at Art Hotel Spaander, Haven 15-19, 1131 EP Volendam. 

Follow the signs and orange arrows along the route.

Parking

Parking space can be found in the Parallelweg and behind Hotel Spaander. The parking structure in Boegstraat is also within walking distance of the Sint Vincentiuskerk. When using public transportation, take bus line (EBS) 316 or bus line 110; exit at the Vissersstraat busstop. 

Sint Vincentiuskerk

The people of Volendam already wanted a church of their own in 1820. The church in Edam was becoming too small and was always filled to capacity. A chapel was christened in the Harbour - across from the MarkenExpress office - on 28 July 1848. It was the first church building in the Netherlands dedicated to Vincent de Paul. His name has been connected with Volendam since then.

The Sint Vincentiuskerk dates from 1 December 1860. The church was modified in 1887 and in 1908. Its existing tower dates from 1908. 

Mariakerk 

The Mariakerk, dedicated to the Holy Star of the Sea, was officially opened on 1 June 1962. The Mariakerk was designed by the architects Alberts and Oudejans. They were assisted in their work by the engineer Nico van der Laan and the famous architect and priest Dom Van der Laan. The Mariakerk’s valuable possessions include the fourteen Stations of the Cross made by the stained-glass artist Joep Nicolas. These stained-glass figures are reminiscent of the villagers in Breughel’s paintings.

Oldest church in Volendam

Volendam’s oldest church, the Protestant Stolphoevekerk, dates from 1658. Its address is: Burgemeester Kolfschotenplein 1A, 1131 BN Volendam. The small wooden church, which is virtually square, has a tent roof crowned with a small bell tower. The Stolphoevekerk is still in use as a church and a wedding venue. It is not open to the public. (Source VVV). It is only open at specific times. 

A good walk

The initiators, the Kras family, the Roman Catholic Parish of Holy Mary and Saint Vincent in Volendam and the enthusiastic group of volunteers of the Way of the Cross Route Committee all wish you an inspiring walk.

Way of the Cross Route Commission