Book Reviews and More: Via Lucis the Way of Light Praying the Stations of the Resurrection

Via Lucis the Way of Light Praying the Stations of the Resurrection

Glenn Byer

Twenty-Third Publications

ISBN 9781628450148

ISBN 1627850147

Via Lucis the Way of Light Praying the Stations of the Resurrection - Glenn Byer

Prior to Lent in 2026 I went through the collection of Stations I had and found I had about 10 I have never read or reviewed and have made the commitment to try and make it through them this Lent, and I added a few as I have been reading, praying, and reviewing my way through the collection. Of the 10 I started with 6 were from Twenty-Third Publications, and while researching the first review I found a few others I am interested in. This is one is one of the new ones I discovered and picked up.

This is the tenth of the Stations of the Cross I have read from Twenty-Third Publications in the ‘Praying the Stations with …’ series, and also other Stations from them. This one is specifically written for corporate use, either at kids church, in a parish for a children’s service, or at home. Originally published in 1997 with the first edition from Twenty-Third Publications being in 1988 and the one I tracked down was from a sixth printing in 2013. There was also an edition released in Canada by Novalis in 2014. It is not currently listed on their site and appears to be out of print. I just really wish there was a digital edition available.

The description of this volume online states:

“The stunning reflections in this book draw on universal images of light to further illuminate this powerful spiritual exercise. Written for communal or individual meditation, this one-of-a-kind resource is perfect for parish, school, or individual use. Accompanied by beautiful, full color images, these readings and prayers invite us into deeper communion with the Paschal Mystery and the joy of our new life in Christ.”

The description of the Novalis edition states:

“The Via Lucis, or Way of Light, recalls the appearances of Jesus to his disciples after the Resurrection, and reminds us of our own journey from darkness to the light of grace. The stunning reflections in this book draw on universal images of light to further illuminate this powerful spiritual exercise. Written for communal or individual meditation, this one-of-a-kind resource is perfect for parish, school or individual use. Accompanied by beautiful, full-color images, these readings and prayers invite us to into deeper communion with the Paschal Mystery and the joy of our new life in Christ.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy

Introduction

How to Use this Book

Opening Reflection and Prayer

The First Station: Jesus is raised from the dead

The Second Station: The finding of the empty tomb

The Third Station: Saint Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus

The Fourth Station: Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus

The Fifth Station: Jesus is known in the breaking of bread

The Sixth Station: Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem

The Seventh Station: Jesus gives the disciples his peace and the power to forgive sin

The Eighth Station: Jesus strengthens the faith of Saint Thomas

The Ninth Station: Jesus appears by the Sea of Tiberias

The Tenth Station: Jesus forgives Peter and commands him to feed his sheep

The Eleventh Station: Jesus commissions the disciples upon the mountain

The Twelfth Station: The Ascension Of Jesus

The Thirteenth Station: Mary and the disciples wait in prayer

The Fourteenth Station: The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost

Epilogue - The Fifteenth Station: Jesus meets Saint Paul on the road to Demacus

Closing Prayer

Conclusion

The Stations of Light Using the Stations of the Cross

A sample Station for this edition:

“THE THIRD STATION:

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE

MEETS THE RISEN JESUS

V. We adore you, O Christ, in your Resurrection;

R. For by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Read

Read John 20.14-18: [Mary] turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”....

Reflect

Saint John’s Gospel records Saint Mary Magdalene as the first person to proclaim the Resurrection. Christ is given the title of the Morning Star, but perhaps Saint Mary has an equal claim to that name. In Greek it is called Phosphorus - which means “bringer of the light” - and so Saint Mary, the first to announce the Resurrection, brings the light to the disciples huddled in the night.

Consider

Saint Mary announced a day that will never end. How can you do the same?

Pray

Dearest Saint Mary Magdalene,

bringer of the light in a world that seemed lost,

first daughter of the Resurrection

and faithful disciple of the Lord!

Intercede for us and for our world this day,

that the light of Christ's Resurrection might shine more brightly,

and that all people might hear Jesus,

who is your saviour and our saviour, too.

Risen Saviour, Jesus our brother,

in the early morning light

you called Saint Mary, your disciple, by name.

Call us each by name every morning of our lives,

and watch over us as we sleep every night.

We need your strength every hour of our lives,

for it is only through your grace that we can live your Gospel.

God, Creator of all the stars of night,

sustain us as we bring your message

of hope and redemption to all we meet.

Dedicate us to the task

of announcing the Resurrection with joyful hearts

in a world brought low by death.

Open the way of salvation to all your children,

and raise up those who stumble along the way.

In the name of Jesus we pray:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.”

The first section of this book states:

“A pious exercise called the Via Lucis has developed and spread to many regions in recent years. Following the model of the Via Crucis, the faithful process while meditating on the various appearances of Jesus — from his Resurrection to his Ascension — in which he showed his glory to the disciples who awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 14, 26; 16, 13-15; Lk 24, 49), strengthened their faith, brought to completion his teaching on the Kingdom and more closely defined the sacramental and hierarchical structure of the Church.”

…

“For centuries the Via Crucis involved the faithful in the first moment of the Easter event, namely the Passion, and helped to fix its most important aspects in their consciousness. Analogously, the Via Lucis, when celebrated in fidelity to the Gospel text, can effectively convey a living understanding to the faithful of the second moment of the Paschal event, namely the Lord’s Resurrection.”

The introduction states:

“Many people have a rocky relationship with the Way of the M Cross. Some say that this devotion lacks hope. The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2001, sees the value in contemplating the suffering Christ, but commends the Way of Light for its hopefulness, for addressing the “culture of life.” It was Father Sabino Palumbieri who created the Way of Light in 1988. After being tested in Italy, the devotion has spread and become popular in many parts of the world. In addition to its own website, www.vialucis.org, an outline of the Way of Light can be found on the websites of the Archdioceses of Toronto and Detroit, among others.”

The section ‘How To Use This Book’ states:

“The Way of Light may be something new to you, so try using it in different ways. This devotion is structured like the Way of the Cross, but because it is about the Resurrection, there is a joyful spirit, one that I hope will lift your spirits, too.

Praying the Way of Light as a personal devotion

Keep in mind that even as a personal prayer form, the Way of Light is still a journey. If you are able, pray this devotion while walking a labyrinth or strolling in a park. If not, let the images in this booklet take you on a pilgrimage and help you to see light in its many forms.

Praying the Way of Light with a group

The Way of Light is suited to prayer groups. You can assign the stations to members of the group, or have different members read the same element of each station. Remember that this is a meditative prayer: avoid the temptation to make it a foot race. Take time.

Praying the Way of Light in a church

This is a challenge; churches do not have stations of light the way they have Stations of the Cross. Use the guide on pages 59 to 62 to let the station from the traditional Way of the Cross be your image at the same point in the Way of Light.

Using music with the Way of Light

Music can greatly enrich this devotion. Playing instrumental music would be a wonderful interlude between the stations, or sing a refrain from a hymn of Resurrection or an Alleluia.”

For many years now a favourite devotional booklet has been Stations of the Cross & Resurrection by J.B. Midgley from the Catholic Truth Society. I love that it draws reflection quotes from so many saints for each station. Working through this earlier version of this devotion was interesting. The reflections are much longer in this devotion.

In the middle of the conclusion it states:

“Spending an hour in prayer on the mysteries of the Resurrection may be a help to our prayer life, but it is unlikely that we will leave our homes and spend the rest of our lives on the highways and byways teaching this form of prayer. No, we get to go home.

But we should hope for a little change. Maybe we will see a flash of light and wonder what it means. Or maybe we will take a walk at night to see the stars. A hundred little things can add up to a better awareness of the presence of the risen Lord in our lives. And that is good.”

I will state again; I am impressed with Stations I have tracked down from Twenty-Third Publications, both the currently in print and older titles that are out of print. I have benefitted from all of them. I wish that a digital edition was available. I know several people I would recommend it to. I have dyslexia and prefer eBooks, my son has eye tracking issues and our deacon has low vision. eBooks would be a better option for all three of us and many more.

I try and pray a Stations each Friday throughout the year, and every day during Lent. I do see myself returning to this one occasionally, but if a digital edition because available it would be one I used more often. I did benefit from praying through it and believe it would be great for personal or corporate use.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! For all Stations of the Cross review click here.

Books in the Praying The Stations With Series:

A Way of Reconciliation for Teens - Colleen Rainone

Praying the Stations for Healing - David M. Knight

Praying the Stations of the Cross for Seniors - John van Bemmel

Stations of the Cross for Older Adults - John Van Bemmel

Praying the Stations for the Suffering, Ill, and Disabled - Holly B. Clark

Praying the Stations Mary’s Way of the Cross

aka Praying the Stations With Mary the Mother of Jesus – Richard Furey

Praying the Stations of Mercy with Pope Francis - Bill Huebsch

Stations of the Cross for Today's Disciples - Sr. Christine Kreshko

Praying the Stations with Catechists - Gwen Costello