Book Reviews and More: Praying the Stations of the Cross with St. Josemaria Escriva

Friday, 6 October 2023

Praying the Stations of the Cross with St. Josemaria Escriva - Translated by Rev James Socias

Praying the Stations of the Cross with St. Josemaria Escriva

Josemaría Escrivá

Rev. James Socias (Translator)

St. Josemaria Institute

ISBN 9781948139472

eISBN 9781948139489

ASIN B0BCF7JSCH

This is a new edition of The Way of the Cross by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. It was revised in 2021 by Rev. James Socias, It is similar to the version found in in Handbook of Prayers, but with some excellent modifications. First it has embedded audio, so it is an enhanced eBook. You can play the audio and pray along with a leader. I have had the version available at the site of the St. Josemaria Institute, who is the publisher of this edition. The images are the same as in the Handbook. Unlike some other editions this one has the opening prayers and the concluding prayers including the Stabat Mater in both English and Latin. It is available directly from the Institute and now also from Kindle.

Over the years I have used many different versions of the Way of the Cross or the Stations of the Cross. For almost three decades now The Way of the Cross by Saint Josemaria Escriva was one of my three favourites. But I love this new edition. I also have the version with the illustrations by Michael O’Brien but it is only available in a physical format.

A Sample station is:

“Third Station Jesus Falls the First Time

Audio (02:43)

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

R. Because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

V. The heavy Cross cuts and tears into Our Lord’s shoulders.

The crowd has swollen into a multitude, and the legionaries can scarcely contain the angry, surging mob which, like a river that has burst its banks, flows through the streets and alleyways of Jerusalem.

The worn-out body of Jesus staggers now beneath the huge Cross. His most loving Heart can barely summon up another breath of life for his poor wounded limbs.

To his right and left, Our Lord sees the multitude moving around like sheep without a shepherd. He could call them one by one by their names — by our names. There they are, those who were fed at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, those who were cured of their ailments, those he taught by the lakeside, on the mountain and in the porticoes of the Temple.

A sharp pain pierces the soul of Jesus; Our Lord falls to the ground, exhausted.

You may wish to kneel here.

V. You and I can say nothing: now we know why the Cross of Jesus weighs so much. We weep over our wretched failings and also for the terrible ingratitude of the human heart. From the depths of our soul there comes an act of real contrition, which lifts us up from the prostration of sin. Jesus has fallen that we might get up: once and for all.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.

R. Have mercy on us.

Stabat Mater (v. 3)

O how sad and sore distressed,

was that Mother, highly blest,

of the sole-begotten One.

O quam tristis et afflícta

fuit illa benedícta

Mater Unigéniti!”

I love this edition of this book. Especially with the built in audio option to pray interactively with the text. This is an excellent resource for your personal spiritual life, or for your community. I highly recommend it.

Note: You can find 2 different audio versions of this The Way of the Cross by Saint Josemaria Escriva here, led by Father Rocky from Relevant Radio.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!