Book Reviews and More: Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Camillo Ruini

Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI:

Meditations and Prayers on the Way of the Cross

CTS Devotions

Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Camillo Ruini

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781860827082

ISBN 186082708X

CTS Booklet D736

Each year I pick up a couple of new versions of The Way of the Cross or the Stations of the Cross. Between eBooks, physical books and audio editions I now have over 40 different versions. I have a few from Pope Benedict, and appreciate each of them. This one was new to me this year, even though it was published in 2011. It is one of a few older editions from the Catholic Truth Society by Pope Benedict that I am trying to track down. I have fallen in love with the books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. I have read over 250 in the last 5 years and have nearly that many on my wish list. This specific book is out of print, and there is no digital edition available. It took me a while to track it down, but it was well worth it. I tracked this one down last summer but waited until Lent this year to pray it. I regret that decision now. Each year I pick a few versions to pray during Lent. I attempt or plan to pray a Stations each day during Lent, and on Fridays throughout the rest of the year. This one will become a mainstay.

The description of this volume is:

“These meditations by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, former Vicar General of Rome, were composed in Lent 2010 for the annual; ‘Way of Cross’ led by the Holy Father at the Colosseum. Well known Gospel Passages, prayers and beautiful Illustrations are powerfully drawn together in these probing meditations on suffering, the cross, the place of evil and sin in our world and on the overpowering love of God’s suffering Servant ‘who died so that we may live’. Ideal for private use or by smaller and larger groups.”

I agree this is an excellent edition for both personal and corporate use. If it was still in print I would pick up a set for my parish. We have a few different sets that father uses on Friday’s through Lent. This volume has no real preface or conclusion. There is a chapter called Introduction but it begins with an opening Hymn and then a meditation, and opening prayer.

This is a wonderful stations. Each station has a full page artwork and each stations is 4 pages in the volume. I really enjoy this version of The Way of The Cross, it is one I will use frequently going forward. It is another excellent devotion from the Catholic Truth Society. It is great for use during lent, or throughout the year. It is well worth tracking down. I highly recommend this version.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Link to other Lent Resources.

For reviews of other books in the CTS Devotions series click here.

For all other reviews of Stations of the Cross click here.

Other Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society:

Calvary Through the Eyes of Mary - Helen Pepper

Scriptural Way of the Cross - Father Adrian Graffy

Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers - Pope Benedict XVI

Meditations on Stations of the Cross - John Henry Newman

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

Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints - J.B. Midgley

The Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa - Father Marcus Holden

Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Camillo Ruini