Lenten Slovak Hymn-Sing
Križová Cesta - Traditional Stations of the Cross
The Slovak Heritage Society on NEPA held its Annual Slovak Lenten Hymn-Sing and Križová Cesta on Sunday, March 7, 2010 in Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The sun shining through the wonderful stained-glass windows added to the reverence of the devotion. Over 80 people were in attendance and the singing was inspirational. Many people miss singing our beautiful hymns that are seldom heard today. At one time, the Stations of the Cross, in Slovak, were held every Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent.
Rev. John Albosta, SHSNEPA chaplain, presided at the Križová Cesta and Benediction. Joseph Kowatch served as cross bearer. Anna Hudock and Theresa Chupka were candle bearers. The following led the prayers, Magdalen Benish, Mary Chupka, Anna Hendershot, Peter Kmec, Mary Migatulski, Helen Savinski, and Philip Tuhy. Before each of the fourteen stations, the traditional hymn Kresľania Sem Pospiechajte was sung.
We were pleased to have Peter Kmec at the devotion. Peter is a young man from Slovakia who is studying at Holy Redeemer High School here in Wilkes-Barre.
Bernadette Yencha led the congregation in singing the six Lenten hymns. Helen Savinski Nylon was the organist. The hymn-sing affords the opportunity for our English speaking faithful to appreciate the wealth of Slovak hymnology. English translations of all the Slovak hymns were provided along with the Station booklets; however something is usually lost in the translation. Our beloved member, Trude Check-Tuhy, provided the translations.
Magdalen Benish, who coordinated the service, said her mother always said if you sing these Slovak hymns and understand the meaning, you would be afraid to go out and sin, because the words are moving and penetrating.
O Srdce Kamenné – “O heart of stone, pause and reflect with shame. Look on the suff’ring Christ, head bowed in pain. The time of grief and woe is now at hand, ah; cease your wickedness, your sinful way. Christ is tortured, oh so cruelly, on the cross of wood slain so brutally.”
Other hymns sung were: O človeče preč mňa tak suž ujes? (Oh my people why do you torment me so); Kresťania Nariekajte; Môj Milý Ježiuš; Ach, Kríž Svätý; and Matka Plače, Ruky Spína.
The Slovak Heritage Society of NEPA began the Lenten Hymn-Sing in 1996 to celebrate the anniversary of Sacred Heart Slovak Church in Wilkes-Barre. It has continued in several Slovak parishes since then. In 2001 the Križová Cesta was included; it was held at St. Joseph Slovak Church Wilkes-Barre with Rev. Philip Altavilla presiding.
Some of the parishes that hosted the Lenten Hymn Sing and Stations were; St. Joseph Hazleton, St. Joseph, Nanticoke, St. John the Baptist Pittston, St. Steven Plymouth, Holy Trinity Swoyersville, Chapel-Marie Hall Danville, and St. Michael Lansford. Unfortunately some of these churches are already closed or scheduled to be closed.
The society
continues our time-honored Slovak saying:
"Kde Je Slovak Tam Je Spev"
"Where There Is A Slovak There Is Song"
"Lenten Slovak Hymn-Sing" and "Passion-Resurrection" Cassettes and CD’s are available.
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