Year of Faith Stations of the Cross
Brendan Leahy
ISBN 9781860828461
ISBN 1860828469
CTS Booklet D759
Over the years I have read many different books for praying the Way of The Cross or Stations of The Cross, this the twelfth from the Catholic Truth Society, and the fourth in the Year of Faith Series. This volume was released in January 2013 during the Year of Faith, and is currently out of print. It is a pity there is not an eBook edition because I can highly recommend this book, it is a wonderful devotion.
Each year I pick up a couple of new versions of The Way of the Cross or the Stations of the Cross, usually at Lent. This year I tracked down a few older out of print editions from the Catholic Truth Society. This one I tracked down in the middle of the summer, but after praying it once during adoration, I am certain it will be a version I use often. Over the last five years I have read over 300 offerings from the CTS and have over 200 that remain on my wish list, including several others from this series. The Year of Faith may be almost a decade in the past but these books are still work tracking down.
The description of this volume is:
“During the Year of Faith, the Holy Father has extended an invitation to each member of the Church to immerse themselves more deeply in their understanding of the faith.
The Stations of the Cross is a centuries-old practice in which are embedded the deepest truths of our faith. This special edition for the Year of Faith gives us the chance to contemplate the culminating moments of Jesus’ life alongside excerpts from the Catechism, enriching our understanding and allowing us to unite our prayers with the teaching of the Church.”
About the author we are informed that:
“Prof. Brendan Leahy, Barrister at Law, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin and currently teaches theology at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He has published widely and is an associate member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology.”
Each station follows the following format:
Station Number
Name of Station
Opening Prayer
Scriptural
Meditation
Reflection from the Catechism
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Prayer with leader and response
There is a two page introduction, two pages on the year of faith, n opening prayer, the 15 Stations, including Jesus Rises from the Dead, and a concluding prayer. We are informed at the end of that introduction that:
“These Stations were first celebrated during an Easter retreat for priests and seminarians at St Patrick's College. Maynooth to whom I dedicate this short text in gratitude. In this publication I have added some short passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to accompany personal reflection on each Station.”
The beginning of the Year of Faith section states:
“Every Jay is a chance to deepen our faith. The mystery of death and resurrection is written into the very rhythm of our faith that works through love. To believe is to entrust myself to God who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ and. in the power or the Spirit, to enter through him into the community of the Church. It is in the measure to which we let ourselves be transformed by the Crucified Christ – in our thoughts and affections, mentality and conduct – that we enter-into the radical new reality of communion with Christ that opens up in the Resurrection. The expression of this new life is to be found day by day in our relationships of communion with one another. Yes, faith is a great gift, not to be limited to a comer of my life, but rather to be lived out in building up a new humanity of peace and justice , truth, and solidarity.”
A Sample station is:
“11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
V. We adore you. 0 Christ, and praise you.
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.
“The Word became flesh, he lived among us ... Jesus, having loved those who were his in the world, loved them to the end.”
Jn 1:15, Jn 13
The Son of God who lived among us reached the point of being crucified for us. The God-man is dying for me. This is friendship. This is more than friendship. It tells, me that God has made me/us the centre of his life: “I have laid down my life for you". While at this Station we think especially of all who are suffering physically at this time, we can abo think about the movement of love that has reached this point. God gave up his Son for me. Jesus, the Son, gave up his life for me. Mary, the Mother, standing at the Cross gave up her Son for me. Now it's up to me to give my life for others. The links in the movement of love continue.
Reflection:
In all of his life Jesus presents himself as our model ... In humbling himself, he has given us an example to imitate, through his prayer he draws us to pray, and by
his poverty he calls us to accept freely the privation and persecutions that may come our way.
(CCC 520. See further. CCC 514-521 )
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
V. Have mercy on us 0 Lord.
R Have mercy on us.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen”
This is another excellent version of the stations. Each station is a two page spread. It was wonderful to pray through this way. I greatly enjoyed it and know it is one I will use often going forward. A great devotion from the Catholic Truth Society. It is wonderful for use during lent, or throughout the year. It is worth tracking down. I really recommend it.
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.
For all other reviews of Stations of the Cross click here.
For reviews of other books in the Year of Faith Series click here.
CTS Year of Faith Books:
The Essential Creed - Exploring the Apostles' Creed in the Year of Faith
Year of Faith with John Paul II
The Gift of Scripture
The Word of the Lord Discovering Verbum Domini
…
Other books from the Year of Faith:
Books edited by Francis Fernandez Carvajal:
Year of Faith Treasury: The Sacrament of Confession
Year of Faith Treasury: The Virtue of Faith
Year of Faith Treasury: The Virtue of Fortitude
…
Other Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society:
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