The Way of the Cross
All You Drink of This Popular Liturgical Library
Clemens Schmidt (Illustrator)
ISBN 9780814606643
ISBN 0814606644
Prior to Lent in 2026 I went through the collection of Stations I had and found I had about 10 Stations I have never read or reviewed and 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. This is one is one of the new ones I discovered while researching for reviews of other stations. I ordered it as soon as I saw it. It is one of a few versions of this devotion available from the Liturgical Press, only half of which have eBook editions, this is not one of them.
The description of this stations is:
“Practically every phrase in THE WAY OF THE CROSS has been culled from Biblical and liturgical sources. Consequently the reflections and prayers are dignified and substantial. Wherever this form has been introduced, it has received the most hearty approval.
The Stations are interspersed with stanzas from the Stabat Mater set to the traditional melody. Large and clear type makes the booklet eminently suitable for congregational use. The words of the Benediction chants are added.”
Another states:
“33 page 3 3/4"x6" pocket size booklet. Contents: Entrance Song, Preparatory Prayer, 14 Stations of the Cross, Concluding Prayer, Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Biblical and liturgical texts make up this booklet, illustrated with woodcuts by Clemens Schmidt. Used at home and in the parish assembly, this publication has been a favorite for decades. Adapted from the Old Latin Compilation of Liturgical and Biblical Texts. Revised, Second Edition.”
The sections in this booklet are:
Entrance Song
Indulgence Attached to the Way of the Cross
Preparatory Prayers
First Station Jesus is Condemned to Death
Second Station Jesus Takes Up His Cross
Third Station Jesus Falls the First Under the Cross
Fourth Station Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother
Fifth Station Simon of Cyrene Is Forced to Take Up the Cross
Sixth Station Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Seventh Station Jesus Falls a Second Time
Eighth Station Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Ninth Station Jesus Falls a Third Time
Tenth Station Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
Eleventh Station Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
Twelfth Station Jesus Dies on The Cross
Thirteenth Station The Body of Jesus is Placed in the Arms of His Mother
Fourteenth Station Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
Concluding prayer
Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament
Psalm 116
A sample station is:
“THIRD STATION
Jesus Falls the First Under the Cross
V. We adore you, 0 Christ, and we praise you.
R. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled himself to the point of death, even to death on the Cross. That is why God exalted him above every creature, and gave him a name that is above all other names. Come, let us adore and bow down in worship before God; let us weep in the presence of the Lord who made us, for he is indeed the Lord our God.
V. Surely he has borne our infirmities.
R. And he has carried our sorrows.
Let Us Pray
Almighty God and Father,/ we confess
that we are weak /and that we often fail
in the midst of trials and sufferings. /
Through the merits of the passion, death,
and resurrection of Christ, your only begotten
Son, / give us new courage and
hope. / This we ask in Jesus' Name, who
lives and reigns for ever. Amen.
GRACIOUS MOTHER, FONT OF LOVE,
TOUCH MY SPIRIT FROM ABOVE,
MAKE MY HEART WITH YOURS ACCORD.”
I hope that sample station give you a feel for this version of this devotion. I loved the wood cuts used to represent each station, And could see even using them for meditation with other stations that do not have images or just simple crosses.
It is a pretty basic Way of the Cross. It is small and reasonably priced. I would be a great resource for parish use, or use in a small group, or personal devotion. 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 am glad I tracked it down.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! For all Stations of the Cross review click here.
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