Meditation on the Way of Meditation on the Way of the Crossthe Cross

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Fourth Sorrowful MysteryFourth Sorrowful MysteryThe way of the CrossThe way of the Cross

Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, what is called the Place of the Skull, Golgotha.Golgotha.

Fruit of the Mystery: Patience Fruit of the Mystery: Patience inin

carrying our carrying our cross.cross.

The Way of the CrossThe Way of the Cross

Revelations of the Revelations of the QueenQueen to: to:

St. Bridget of SwedenSt. Bridget of Sweden Venerable Mary of Venerable Mary of

AgredaAgreda

Jacopo Tintoretto, Christ before Pilate. 1566-67. Grande Rocco. Venice

1.Jesus is condemned to death.

“My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, it was my sins thatcondemned you to die.” (St. Alphonsus Liguori )

Lord Jesus, often I judge others and fail to be understanding. Help me to see the people in my life through your eyes.

2 The way of the Cross “Like a gentle lamb who is led to the slaughter, without a word of bitterness.”“The way of the cross is the only way that I have traced out for you. The time has come when you are being called to climb Calvary with Him. This is your most beautiful hour.”(Gobbi)

2 The way of the Cross ““My daughter, My daughter, embrace the Cross embrace the Cross and do not admit any and do not admit any consolation outside of consolation outside of it in this mortal life. it in this mortal life. By meditating day By meditating day and night on the and night on the Passion and Death of Passion and Death of Jesus crucified, thou Jesus crucified, thou wilt attain the summit wilt attain the summit of perfection.of perfection.This is the great This is the great sciencescience of the saints.of the saints.(Mary of agreda)(Mary of agreda)

Marco Palmezanno, Christ bearing the Cross. Vatican Museums.

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”To do so means to live continually in the spirit of mortification and sacrifice.

3.* Jesus carries the cross

Marco Palmezanno, Christ bearing the Cross. Vatican Museums.

When we accept our own pains,sufferings, sorrows and burdenswith love from His hand, and unite with His Sufferings, theybecome a source of great meritand inestimable value for us,and for the salvation of souls.

Help me to embrace the crosses in my life----hardships, pain, struggles, and disappointments.

“Following him on the way to Calvary, we learn the meaning of salvific suffering.”(Pope John Paul II)

3A.Jesus carries the cross

Domenichino, The Way to Calvary, 1610. Paul Getty Museum. Los Angeles

“My beloved Jesus, it was not the weight of the cross, but the weight of my sins that made you suffer so much.By the merits of this fall save me from falling into mortal sin.”--St. Alphonsus

4.* Jesus fell the first time.

Domenichino, The Way to Calvary, 1610., Paul Getty Museum. Los Angeles.

“As my Son was going to the place of His Passion, some men struck Him on the back and others hit Him in the face. He was struck so violently and so brutally that although I did not see the person striking Him I distinctly heard the sound of the blows.” (Our Lady to St. Bridget of Sweden.)

4.* Jesus fell the first time.

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The executioners, bare of all human compassion and The executioners, bare of all human compassion and kindness, kindness, dragged our Savior Jesus along with incredible dragged our Savior Jesus along with incredible cruelty and insults.cruelty and insults. Some of them Some of them jerked Him forward by jerked Him forward by the ropes in order to accelerate his passage, while others the ropes in order to accelerate his passage, while others pulled from behindpulled from behind in order to retard it.in order to retard it. On account of this On account of this jerking and the weight of the Cross they caused Him to jerking and the weight of the Cross they caused Him to sway to and fro and often to fall to the ground. By the hard sway to and fro and often to fall to the ground. By the hard knocks He thus received knocks He thus received on the rough stones great on the rough stones great wounds were opened, especially on the two kneeswounds were opened, especially on the two knees and and they were widened at each repeated fall. they were widened at each repeated fall. The heavy Cross The heavy Cross also inflicted a wound on the shoulderalso inflicted a wound on the shoulder on which it was on which it was carried. The unsteadiness caused the carried. The unsteadiness caused the Cross sometimes to Cross sometimes to knock against his sacred head, and sometimes the head knock against his sacred head, and sometimes the head against the Cross; thus the thorns of his crown penetrated against the Cross; thus the thorns of his crown penetrated deeperdeeper and wounded the parts, which they had not yet and wounded the parts, which they had not yet reached. To these torments of the body the ministers of reached. To these torments of the body the ministers of evil evil added many insulting words and execrable affronts, added many insulting words and execrable affronts, ejecting their impure spittleejecting their impure spittle and and throwing the dirt of the throwing the dirt of the pavement into his face so mercilessly, that they blinded pavement into his face so mercilessly, that they blinded the eyesthe eyes that looked upon them with such divine mercy. that looked upon them with such divine mercy.

---Mary of Agreda, Mystical city of God.---Mary of Agreda, Mystical city of God.

2. Jesus met his Mother, 2. Jesus met his Mother, Simon, & VeronicaSimon, & Veronica

Simone Martini, The road to Calvary, ca. 1336. Louvre Museum. Paris.

A soldier threatens Mary with a club to keep her apart from Jesus.

5.* Jesus met his mother

My most loving Jesus, by the pain You suffered in this meeting, grant me the grace of being truly devoted to your most Holy Mother.And you, my Queen, who was over-whelmed with sorrow, obtain for me a tender and lasting remembrance of the passion of your divine son(St. Alphonsus Liguori)

From the house of Pilate the sorrowful and stricken From the house of Pilate the sorrowful and stricken Mother followed with the multitudes on the way of her Mother followed with the multitudes on the way of her divine Son, accompanied by saint John and the pious divine Son, accompanied by saint John and the pious women. As the surging crowds hindered Her from women. As the surging crowds hindered Her from getting very near to the Lord, She asked the eternal getting very near to the Lord, She asked the eternal Father to be permitted to stand at the foot of the Cross Father to be permitted to stand at the foot of the Cross of her blessed Son and see Him die with her own eyes. of her blessed Son and see Him die with her own eyes. With the divine consent She ordered her angels to With the divine consent She ordered her angels to manage things in such a way as to make it possible for manage things in such a way as to make it possible for her to execute her wishes. The holy angels obeyed Her her to execute her wishes. The holy angels obeyed Her with great reverence; and they speedily led the Queen with great reverence; and they speedily led the Queen through some bystreet, in order that She might meet through some bystreet, in order that She might meet her Son. Thus it came that both of Them met face to her Son. Thus it came that both of Them met face to face in sweetest recognition of each Other and in mutual face in sweetest recognition of each Other and in mutual renewal of each other's interior sorrows. Yet They did renewal of each other's interior sorrows. Yet They did not speak to one another, nor would the fierce cruelty of not speak to one another, nor would the fierce cruelty of the executioners have permitted such interaction. But the executioners have permitted such interaction. But the most prudent Mother interiorly besought Him, that, the most prudent Mother interiorly besought Him, that, since She could not relieve him of the weight of the since She could not relieve him of the weight of the Cross since She was not permitted to command her holy Cross since She was not permitted to command her holy angels to lighten it, He would inspire these ministers of angels to lighten it, He would inspire these ministers of cruelty to procure some one for his assistance. This cruelty to procure some one for his assistance. This prayer was heard by the Lord Christ ; and so it prayer was heard by the Lord Christ ; and so it happened, that Simon of Cyrene was afterwards happened, that Simon of Cyrene was afterwards impressed to carry the Cross with the Lord (Matth. 27,impressed to carry the Cross with the Lord (Matth. 27, 32).32).

(Mary of Agreda. The Mystical City of God)(Mary of Agreda. The Mystical City of God)

6.** Simon carries the cross: Simon represents all of us. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, we should all help Jesus to carry the Cross. This is a sure sign that we belong to Christ.

We can alleviate Your pain, O Lord, by sharing

the burdens of our afflicted brothers

and sisters.

Juan de Flaudes. The Road to Calvary. 1510 Palencia Cathedral

6A. Simon carries the Cross "Oh, all you who pass by, pause a while, and see if there has ever been any sorrow like to the sorrow I have endured for love of you. Be mindful of my poverty and humiliations; think of the gall and wormwood I took for you in my bitter passion." (Mary of Agreda)

Juan de Flaudes. The Road to Calvary1510 Palencia Cathedral

6B. Simon carries the Cross“Ask the Father for the gift of being true disciples of Jesus, that you will always say yes to Jesus, even though it may mean sorrow and suffering. Pray for the grace to take all, out of love for Him.” (Gobbi)

Passion of Christ. Movie

Jacopo Bassano, The Way to Calvary. 1545. National Gallery. London

Veronica rises above her fear of public opinion and steps forward to administer to Jesus. She rejects the standards of this world which see onlythe rich and famous as being worthy of attention.Help us to see God’s face in those theworld rejects.

7.* Veronica wiped the face of Jesus

Master of St. Veronica, St. Veronica with the Shroud of Christ, 1420. Munich

The Shroud of ChristThe image of Jesus remained on thefabric that she used to wipe his face.

The Shroud of Turin

3. Jesus fell three times3. Jesus fell three times

Words of the QueenWords of the Queen on:on:

The true disciples of The true disciples of ChristChrist

..

James Tissot 1836-1902. Jesus fall beneath the Cross. Brooklyn MuseumJames Tissot 1836-1902. Jesus fall beneath the Cross. Brooklyn Museum..

8. Jesus fell the second timeFailure and disappointments sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from you and others. Help me never to be afraid to begin again. You know how often I fall trying to follow You. Yet you are always there to lift me up.

..

8A.** Jesus fell the second time

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, The way of the cross.

Our Lord fell several times to show us that we can have the misfortune of falling but we must get up quickly, take up our cross and continue courageously to follow Jesus.

““He chose not a life of softness and ease for the He chose not a life of softness and ease for the flesh, but one full of labors and pains;flesh, but one full of labors and pains; for He for He judged his instructions to be incomplete and judged his instructions to be incomplete and insufficient to redeem man, if He failed to insufficient to redeem man, if He failed to teach teach them how to overcome the demon, the flesh and them how to overcome the demon, the flesh and their own self.their own self. He wished to inculcate, He wished to inculcate, that this that this magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by labors, penances, mortifications and the labors, penances, mortifications and the acceptance of contempt.”acceptance of contempt.” (Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

9. Jesus spoke to the women of Jerusalem.

“My Jesus, I weep for the sins which I have committed against you because of the punishment I deserve for them; and because of the displeasure they have caused You. It is your love, more than the fear of hell which makes me weep for my sins.”-----St. Alphonsus Liguori

10. Jesus fell the third time.At those times, Jesus, when we feel most defeated and want to give up, strengthen us with Your persevering spirit.

Your failing strength makes me see how helpless I am. Without You, I can do nothing. Help me to rely on your strength, to see howmuch I need You.

WORDS OF THE QUEEN onWORDS OF THE QUEEN on the True Disciples of the True Disciples of ChristChrist (The Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, (The Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)Spain.)

““I desire that the fruit of the obedience with which thou writest the I desire that the fruit of the obedience with which thou writest the history of my life shall be, history of my life shall be, that thou become a true disciple of my most that thou become a true disciple of my most holy Son and of myself.holy Son and of myself. The main purpose of the exalted and The main purpose of the exalted and venerable mysteries, which are made known to thee, and of the venerable mysteries, which are made known to thee, and of the teachings, which I so often repeat to thee, is teachings, which I so often repeat to thee, is that thou deny and strip that thou deny and strip thyself, estranging thy heart from all affection to creaturesthyself, estranging thy heart from all affection to creatures,, neither neither wishing to possess them nor accept them for other uses. By this wishing to possess them nor accept them for other uses. By this precaution thou wilt overcome the impediments, which the devils seek precaution thou wilt overcome the impediments, which the devils seek to place in the way of the dangerous softness of thy nature. By the to place in the way of the dangerous softness of thy nature. By the divine teaching thou knowest divine teaching thou knowest the one true way of life, which is the the one true way of life, which is the CrossCross; and thou knowest that ; and thou knowest that not all who are called, are chosen. not all who are called, are chosen. Many there are who wish to follow Christ and very few who truly Many there are who wish to follow Christ and very few who truly dispose themselves to imitate Him; for as soon as they feel the dispose themselves to imitate Him; for as soon as they feel the sufferings of the Cross they cast it asidesufferings of the Cross they cast it aside. On this account there are . On this account there are so so many among mortals, who, forgetful of the eternal truths, seek the many among mortals, who, forgetful of the eternal truths, seek the flesh; and the continual indulgence of its pleasures. They ardently flesh; and the continual indulgence of its pleasures. They ardently seek honors and fly from injuries: they strive after riches, and seek honors and fly from injuries: they strive after riches, and condemn poverty; they long after pleasure and dread mortification.condemn poverty; they long after pleasure and dread mortification. All these are enemies of the Cross of ChristAll these are enemies of the Cross of Christ (Phil. 3, 18), and with (Phil. 3, 18), and with dreadful aversion they fly from it, deeming it sheer ignominy, just like dreadful aversion they fly from it, deeming it sheer ignominy, just like those who crucified Christ, the Lord.”those who crucified Christ, the Lord.”

““Another deceit has spread through the world: Another deceit has spread through the world: many imagine that many imagine that they are following Christ their Master, though they neither suffer they are following Christ their Master, though they neither suffer affliction nor engage in any exertion or labor. They are content with affliction nor engage in any exertion or labor. They are content with avoiding boldness in committing sins, and place all their perfection avoiding boldness in committing sins, and place all their perfection in a certain prudence or hollow self-lovein a certain prudence or hollow self-love, which prevents them from , which prevents them from denying anything to their will and from practicing any virtues at the denying anything to their will and from practicing any virtues at the cost of their flesh. They would easily escape this deception, if they cost of their flesh. They would easily escape this deception, if they would consider that my Son was not only the Redeemer, but their would consider that my Son was not only the Redeemer, but their Teacher; and that Teacher; and that He left in this world the treasures of his He left in this world the treasures of his Redemption not only as a remedy against its eternal ruin, but as a Redemption not only as a remedy against its eternal ruin, but as a necessary medicine for the sickness of sin in human nature.necessary medicine for the sickness of sin in human nature. No one No one knew so much as my Son and Lord; no one could better understand knew so much as my Son and Lord; no one could better understand the quality of love than the divine Lord, who was and is wisdom and the quality of love than the divine Lord, who was and is wisdom and charity itself; and no one was more able to fulfill all his wishes (I charity itself; and no one was more able to fulfill all his wishes (I John 4, 16). Nevertheless, although He well could do it, John 4, 16). Nevertheless, although He well could do it, He chose He chose not a life of softness and ease for the flesh, but one full of labors not a life of softness and ease for the flesh, but one full of labors and pains; for He judged his instructions to be incomplete and and pains; for He judged his instructions to be incomplete and insufficient to redeem man, if He failed teach them how to overcome insufficient to redeem man, if He failed teach them how to overcome the demon, the flesh and their own self. He wished to inculcate, that the demon, the flesh and their own self. He wished to inculcate, that this magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by labors, penances, this magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by labors, penances, mortifications and the acceptance of contempt: all of which are the mortifications and the acceptance of contempt: all of which are the trademarks and evidences of true love and the special watchwords of trademarks and evidences of true love and the special watchwords of the predestined.”the predestined.”

The ( National ) RosaryThe ( National ) Rosary For the Evangelization of For the Evangelization of (Nations)(Nations)

1.1. Fatima Prayer:Fatima Prayer: To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all evangelization.evangelization.

““O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.”mercy.”

2.2. Invocation of the Holy Spirit:Invocation of the Holy Spirit: Principal agent of Principal agent of evangelization.evangelization.

““Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people and Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people and enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means of the enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-beloved Spouse.”beloved Spouse.”

3. 3. Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ):Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ): Star of the new Star of the new evangelization.evangelization.

““Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the (National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.(National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.

Look upon them continually with mercy and through your Look upon them continually with mercy and through your intercession with the divine Redeemer, heal themintercession with the divine Redeemer, heal them of their sufferings, of their sufferings, deliver them from all evil, and fill them with your love.”deliver them from all evil, and fill them with your love.”

We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven !Heaven !