This Lent, St. Denis Parish in Havertown is hosting Stations of the Cross in prayerful reenactment of Jesus’ road to Calvary every Friday night.
One thing that made the devotion a bit different on March 13 was that Francesca LaRosa — a Catholic composer, singer, songwriter and speaker from Indianapolis — was there to help lead the service along with her husband, David.
Each year, St. Denis tries to do something different for the Lenten Season that may invite more participants whether or not they are members of the parish.
Shortly before last Christmas, the parish’s Director of Liturgy Rich Grillone was able to get in contact with LaRosa and arranged her visit to share her musical talent with the parish community for “Stations of the Cross: A Lenten Experience” in the upcoming season.
“We thought this might be something different,” said Father Kevin Gallagher, pastor of St. Denis.
On Lenten Fridays, a sizeable crowd usually takes part in weekly Stations of the Cross at St. Denis. That fact raised hopes that the visitation of Francesca and David LaRosa and their daughter, Gabriella, to this Delaware County community would draw additional people. As it turned out, dozens more parishioners and guests attended the devotion.
“It’s nice to be able to do it in the context of Stations of the Cross,” said Father Gallagher.
Among the visitors were Rev. Dr. Manisha Shendge, chaplain and spiritual care director at Spring Mill Pointe in Lafayette Hill, and her husband, Rev. Bill Wisneski. Shendge uses LaRosa’s music for weekly services at Spring Mill Pointe, so she wanted to come see and hear her in person.
“She’s a huge inspiration for all of our residents,” Shendge said of LaRosa. “She’s amazing, truly gifted. I’m thrilled to meet her.”
Catholic composer and musician Francesca LaRosa plays piano during the March 13 Stations of the Cross at St. Denis Parish in Havertown. (Photo by Dan McCarty)
The devotion marked the LaRosa family’s first appearance at St. Denis. David LaRosa performed the Stations of the Cross with featured music by Francesca LaRosa as pianist and soloist.
Among the musical selections were “I Come to Adore You,” “Jesus, Remember Me,” “Hosea,” “Anima Christi (Soul of Christ),” “Adoro Te Devote,” and “Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All.”
“I think it’s a beautiful parish,” said Francesca LaRosa. “Everyone’s been so friendly.”
There was also time for reflection, eucharistic adoration and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Paul Boyer, an acolyte and seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, aassisted Father Gallagher at the altar.
Benediction hymns included “O Saving Victim,” “Tantum Ergo,” and “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name,” along with recitation of the Divine Praises.
While spending time at St. Denis on March 13, LaRosa also gave a talk to the seventh and eighth grade students of Cardinal John Foley Regional Catholic School that afternoon.
“I encouraged them to share their gifts to glorify God,” she said.
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