Saturday 28 March 2020

Way of the Cross Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ - Michael Campbell

Way of the Cross: Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ
Michael Campbell
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 
9781860828980
eISBN 9781784694395
ASIN B073H1TMW4
CTS Booklet 


Every lent I pick a few different versions of the Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross to be part of my Lenten journey. And since over the last few years I have read and reviewed over 100 books from the Catholic Truth Society I decided to pick up a few of their offerings. This specific version was published in 2014 and the eBook in 2017. Currently the print edition appears to be out of print. But the eBook is still readily available. For which I am extremely grateful. In the introduction Michael Campbell OSA, Bishop of Lancaster states:

“The Stations of the Cross have long been a popular and much-loved Catholic devotion. To walk the way of the cross with the suffering Christ, prayerfully contemplating his humiliation and suffering, gives us the courage to accept and bear our own particular share of the cross, whatever form that may take. 

This cherished devotional practice teaches us the profound and mysterious lesson that it was through his suffering and cross that the Son of God redeemed the world. The Stations offer the sick and frail, those who are oppressed and downcast, the opportunity to unite their sufferings with those of Christ and to make their own the sentiments of St Paul, “to complete what is lacking in Christ’s affliction for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.” (Col 1:24) 

I offer these meditations on the Stations of the Cross in the hope that all who use them will draw closer to our blessed Lord who loves each one of us in our weakness and frailty. Through walking the way to Calvary with Christ may we be brought to the glory of his resurrection.”

And that is what he has crafted is an excellent devotion for us to use personally, or corporately. 

The chapters in this volume are:
Introduction 
Tree of Paradise 
First Station 
Second Station 
Third Station 
Fourth Station 
Fifth Station 
Sixth Station 
Seventh Station 
Eighth Station 
Ninth Station 
Tenth Station 
Eleventh Station 
Twelfth Station 
Thirteenth Station 
Fourteenth Station

This volume likesome other versions contains a fifteenth station a reflection on the Resurrection. A sample meditation is:

Sixth Station
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

P. (Kneeling) We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
C. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

“Without beauty, without majesty we saw him, no looks to attract our eyes; despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.” (Is 53:2-4)

Veronica, moved with pity for the despised and suffering Christ, steps forward and wipes his face with a towel. Her act of kindness and great compassion would never be forgotten.

Reflection
Lord Jesus, in the midst of your suffering and distress you found someone to take pity on you. Veronica had the courage to reach out to you in your affliction. May we never fail to feel the sufferings of others, and seek to lighten their burden. Make us compassionate as our heavenly Father is compassionate, for he is close to the afflicted and broken-hearted.
C. I love you, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart of having offended you. Never permit me to separate myself from you again. Grant that I may love you always and then do with me what you will.

Our Father…Hail Mary...Glory be…”

And this volume has artwork between each of the stations. The artwork is by Josef Piens Cooreman and Rene de Cramer. And in the eBook they are full color prints. It is an excellent version of the way. I am thankful I have it and will use it over.

Another excellent resource from the Catholic Truth Society!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Link to other Lent Resources.


Other Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society:





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