Local

Alexandria church creates a Garden of Gethsemane

Zoey Maraist | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

For the past few years, volunteers at St. Louis Church in Alexandria have created a Garden of Gethsemane where people can pray after the Holy Thursday Mass until midnight. Zoey Maraist | Catholic Herald

CROP_LR_Gethsemane-11.jpg

A woman kneels in front of the altar of repose on Holy Thursday in the Garden of Gethsemane at St. Louis Church in Alexandria. Zoey Maraist | Catholic Herald

CROP_LR_Gethsemane-18.jpg

The gymnasium of St. Louis School in Alexandria was filled with
trees, flowering plants, glowing lanterns and widely spaced chairs. The altar
of repose was surrounded by lit candles. Behind it, a moonlit sky above a
garden was projected onto the back wall. A statue of Jesus in prayer sat on the
stage near three lit candles representing Peter, James and John. Nearby, but
mostly hidden by leaves, a small black statue of a rooster rested on a stand.

 

After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 13,
Father Matthew H. Zuberbueler, pastor, and St. Louis parishioners processed
from the church into their own Garden of Gethsemane. The church doesn’t have a dedicated
space for an altar of repose, said sacristan Jim McCracken, so Father
Zuberbueler came up with the idea of making one in the gym. “It’s a labor of love
to try to create an atmosphere, a proper place for the Blessed Sacrament,” said
McCracken.  

 

For the past few years, McCracken, Theresa Kritcher, parish
floral coordinator, and others have spent Holy Thursday afternoon transforming
McClunn Hall into a garden. The greenery, the night sky, the tabernacle and the
reverent environment helps recreate the scene of some 2,000 years ago.

 

“This is yet another way to come closer to God,” said parishioner
Rob Huddleston. “It allows us think deeply about what He suffered the night
before He died, all the agony of anticipation and sorrow. The garden makes it
more real.” His wife, Helen Rangel, noted that praying in the homemade garden
was a way to better accompany Christ.

 

In keeping with the Holy Thursday tradition of visiting several
churches to pray, many come from other parishes to spend time in the garden.

 

“We’re creating something that puts people in the spirit of Easter,”
said Kritcher. “That’s what it’s all about.”

 

Related Articles