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Stations of the Cross
at Lourdes France
Opening Prayers
Jesus is Condemned
As God's own people we have Christ as our head. He delivered
Himself up for our sins. In accepting a cruel death He won for us
the right to eternal bliss with God our Father.
Jesus Takes His Cross
As the redeemed of the Lord we are called to walk in the
footsteps of the humble, cross-bearing Christ. Each of us has his
daily cross to bear to be worthy to share our Savior's glory.
The First Fall
The only safe way to the promised land is the way of the cross.
As Pilgrims here, we retrace the same path Christ trod for our
salvation. Through trial and affliction we go forward with eyes
fixed on our heavenly goal.
Jesus meets his Mother
The Mother of Jesus cares for all the redeemed who still journey
on this earth. Her spiritual maternity will last until all the elect
are safe in the heavenly fatherland. She helps us on the sorrowful
way to keep our gaze focused on our true home.
Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus
Love of God and of neighbor marks the true disciple of Christ.
When God was a very close neighbor, Simon of Cyrene hesitated. He
had to be compelled to help our Redeemer carry his cross.
 Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face
As God's chosen ones we are to show mercy and compassion in our
dealings with others. It is our mission to comfort the sorrowing, to
put new heart into the disheartened, and to raise the spirits of
those we meet.
Jesus Falls Again
As God's own people we continue our search for a future and
abiding city. The road is long and rugged, not always easy to
follow. When we fall we must rise again like our Savior on the way
to Calvary.
Jesus Speaks to the Women
The theater of our earthly pilgrimage is sometimes a valley of
tears. The daughters of Jerusalem weeping for our Savior were
reminded, as we are now, that they had reason to weep for themselves
and their children.
The Third Fall
Our Cross-Bearer stumbled a third time in the dust, yet won a
name which is above all names. But the hour of shame had to precede
His hour of glory. So must it be for all of us, the people He has
redeemed.
Jesus is Stripped of His Clothing
We purify and renew ourselves that the vision of Christ may shine
more brightly in the church and the world. So we strip ourselves of
deeds of darkness; we cast off all hindrances to our growth in the
new life of Christ.
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
They crucified Him, mocked His dignity and deprived Him of
physical freedom. Thus He acquired for us our heritage, the dignity
and freedom of the sons of God.
Jesus Dies on the Cross
He was holy, innocent, undefiled. He knew nothing of sin, but
came to blot out the sins of the world. He proved His love by laying
down His life for us.
Jesus
is Taken Down from the Cross
At the end of our earthly journey we, like our blessed Redeemer,
are taken down from the cross of this life. United with Him in the
likeness of His death, we shall be so in the likeness of His
resurrection also.
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
In God's plan each of us becomes acquainted with suffering until
finally death closes our eyes. But the grave will not hold us
captives forever. In God's hour we shall rise, nevermore to die.
- Fifteenth Station.
The Resurrection.
God, our heavenly Father, we raise our minds and hearts to You in
praise and thanksgiving. Though weak and sinful, we wish to follow
Your only Son, our Lord Jesus, on the way of the cross. May our Holy
Spirit help us use our Savior's strength effectively in our place in
life.
We ask the special aid of our blessed Lady, ever Virgin and
Mother, in following Christ and in making His way of the cross our
way of life. Amen.
These photos were taken during a pilgrimage to Lourdes France in
1993, they depict the 14 stations in life sized gold statues.
Other Stations of the Cross, including the images above
http://www.santorosario.net/english/viacrucis.htm
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