SANTA RITA -- The Santa Rita Eco Park, an almost two-kilometer eco-tourism destination, has set up makeshift Stations of the Cross, to cater to pilgrims and health buffs who would want to reflect and pray this Lenten season.
Made of tarpaulins, the makeshift Stations of the Cross take cue from those placed at Guagua’s own eco-tourism destination. Santa Rita Eco Park shares the dike section of the FVR Megadike with that of Guagua’s. Opened in December 2014, the Santa Rita Eco Park is maintained by the Municipal Government of Santa Rita. It is located along the sections of the Megadike in Barangay San Isidro.
The area is an example of eco-friendly re-use of various materials aside from the large number of trees planted in the area in the past ten years by various groups. The area showcases sections of the dike area planted with ornamental plants and decorated by recyclable materials and other waste materials fashioned into adaptive reuse like bathtub-chairs, plastic-stairs and rubber tire-fences among others.
Recently, the Municipal Government of Santa Rita finished a large statue of Santa Rita de Cascia, the town’s patron saint overlooking the entire dike area. The area is frequented by bikers and joggers from all over Pampanga. The Stations of the Cross were put in place in time for the Lenten Season.
The Stations of the Cross or Via Crucis Exercitium recall the suffering and death of Christ. Commonly, a series of 14 images will be arranged in numbered order along a path and the faithful travel from image to image, in order, stopping at each station to say the selected prayers and reflections. This will be done individually or in a procession most commonly during Lent, especially on Good Friday, in a spirit of reparation for the sufferings and insults that Jesus endured during his passion.
The new additions to the eco-park are expected to attract pilgrims and encourage prayer this Lenten season.