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Via Lucis with St. Paul
Stations of the Resurrection
Per Crucem ad Lucem
click here for a .pdf of this document | click here for images of the Stations

The Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) follows the course of Jesus' passion, death, and burial. The Stations of the Cross remain one of the more popular Catholic devotions as noted by the collection of 14 images depicting Christ's final hours leading up to his crucifixion; these images are found in virtually all Catholic parishes. The Way of Light (Via Lucis) is observed by way of extension of this enduring devotion.

The Way of Light (Via Lucis) celebrates and highlights the most glorious time in the Christian liturgical year, the fifty days from Easter (the Resurrection) to Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit). The idea for depicting the Way of Light was inspired by an ancient inscription found on a wall of the San Callisto Catacombs on the Appian Way in Rome. This cemetery is named for Saint Callistus, a slave who eventually became the 16th pope (217-222). The inscription found at Saint Callistus comes from the first letter St. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth (around 56 A.D.), in response to the report that some members were denying the Resurrection. The full statement in the letter is:

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8):

Accordingly then, the praying of the Via Lucis is a contemporary discovery of an ancient devotion highlighting the continuing presence of the Risen Lord. This devotion was reintroduced in the official Vatican prayer book for the Jubilee Year 2000 titled, Pilgrim Prayers.

This devotion has received formal recognition by the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The Via Lucis was listed in its Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (December 2001). The documents states:

For centuries the Via Crucis involved the faithful in the first moment of the Easter event, namely the Passion, and helped to fixed its most important aspects in their consciousness. Analogously, the Via Lucis, when celebrated in fidelity to the Gospel text, can effectively convey a living understanding to the faithful of the second moment of the Pascal event, namely the Lord's Resurrection.

The Via Lucis is potentially an excellent pedagogy of the faith, since "per crucem ad lucem." Using the metaphor of a journey, the Via Lucis moves from the experience of suffering, which in God's plan is part of life, to the hope of arriving at man's true end: liberation, joy, and peace, which are essentially paschal values.

The Via Lucis is a potential stimulus for the restoration of a "culture of life" which is open to the hope and certitude offered by faith, in a society often characterized by a "culture of death", despair and nihilism. (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, sec. 153)

A practical way of praying the Via Lucis is to process with the Pascal Candle as the preeminent sign of the Risen Christ. Perhaps one can display images of the Easter moments as shared by the four evangelists in the gospels and Acts of the Apostles. As we recognize and welcome His presence and promptings through the events of Sacred Scripture we hope to recognize and welcome the Risen Lord in our daily living. Walking the Via Lucis makes us light bearers in a darkened world. May the praying of the Via Lucis give us the same bold and urgent sense of mission of which the early Church so faithfully and capably bore witness.

Lastly, the Via Lucis is an appropriate devotion for the Holy Year of St. Paul. The Gospels and Acts of the Apostles illustrate how this very same Risen Lord will be the One to summon Saul to conversion and mission on the Road to Damascus. For that reason, a fifteenth Via Lucis has been included to recognize that life-changing encounter.

First Station - Jesus rises from the dead

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:5-6).

Second Station - The disciples find the empty tomb

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed. (John 20: 3-8)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your Apostle Paul indicated the importance of keeping communion and agreement with Peter and John, acknowledged pillars of the Church in matters of faith (Gal 2:9). Help us to grow continually in their marvelous discovery of the empty tomb. Help us also to recognize that in order to remain in communion with you we must also remain united with the teachings of the Apostles. Amen.

Third Station - The Risen Lord appears to Mary Magdalene and Sends Her to Give Witness to the Apostles

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher)…Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20: 15-16, 18)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your disciple Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles, was sent to bear witness to your Resurrection. You have also commanded your servant, Paul, to be your witness to all the world of all that he had seen and heard. (Acts 22: 15) Grant all members of your Church the grace to bear witness to your Risen glory. Amen

Fourth Station - The Risen Lord Appears on the Road to Emmaus

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him…The he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. (Luke 24: 15, 25-27)

We pray:
Risen Saviour, your Apostle Paul understood that when the fullness of time had come, You were the One sent, born of a woman under the law, for the sake of our redemption. (Gal 4:4) Grant that our hearts may burn with love for you in the revelation contained in Sacred Scripture. Amen.

Fifth Station - The Risen Lord is Recognized in the Breaking of the Bread

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

When he was at table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. (Luke 24: 30-31)

Sixth Station - The Risen Lord Appears to the Disciples

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. (Luke 24: 36-39)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your Apostle Paul spoke with great longing for the redemption of our bodies when we are all freed from the bondage of decay and shall obtain the glory of the children of God. (Rom 8:21) Fill our minds and hearts with the hope of future glory.

Seventh Station - The Risen Lord Gives the Power to Forgive Sins

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 22-23)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your Apostle Paul appealed to all to be reconciled to our Heavenly Father. (2 Cor 5:18). Give us confidence to approach frequently the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Help us to see in the priests of your Church those whom you have entrusted as ambassadors called to reveal the ministry of your tender mercy. Amen.

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

The he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20: 27- 28)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, you provided all means for Thomas to overcome his doubt and confess you as Lord. Your Apostle Paul recognized the humility of your self-emptying mission among us so that in your exaltation all peoples may confess you as Lord. (Phil 2: 8-9) Gracious Lord increase with in us faith in your saving victory. Amen.

Ninth Station - The Risen Lord Appears by the Lake of Tiberias

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”… Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. (John 21: 9, 13)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your appearance to the disciples filled them with strength and confidence. Your apostle Paul, in his many letters exhorted and encouraged the Christian community to keep awake and sober and hope for salvation as children of light and children of the day. (1 Thes 5: 5) Help us never to grow weary in our pilgrim journey. Amen.

Tenth Station - The Risen Lord Forgives Peter and Entrusts Him to Feed His Sheep

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21: 17)

We Pray: Risen Saviour, in Peter's three-fold denial you have reconciled yourself to him and entrusted him as your Vicar on earth. Your Apostle Paul recognized well the primacy of Peter and rejoiced to build up your Church through the apostolic ministry (1 Cor 4). May your Saints Peter and Paul who strengthened the faith of the infant Church help us on our way of salvation. Amen. (from the opening prayer of the Vigil Mass, Peter and Paul, Apostles)

Eleventh Station - The Risen Lord sends out the Disciples into the Whole World

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember that I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28: 19-20)

We pray:
Risen Saviour, your servant Paul, Apostle to all Nations, fulfilled your command by teaching all peoples. Grant us a share in St. Paul's understanding of how our own baptisms call us to ministry, through the diversity of gifts given, as members of your Body. (1 Cor 12)

Twelfth Station - The Risen Christ Ascends into Heaven

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

As they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1: 10-11)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your Apostle Paul praised our Heavenly Father for seating you at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every other name in all ages to come. (Eph 1: 20-21). Strengthen us to fulfill the mission entrusted to us until we are with you in the eternal joy of your kingdom. Amen.

Thirteenth Station - Mary and the Disciples keep Vigil for the Coming of the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. (Acts 1: 13-14)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your Apostle Paul exhorted your faithful to be watchful and ready for your return so that we may be found worthy of your call and that your name may be glorified in us. (2 Thess 1: 11-12) Deepen our love for prayer so that we too, together with Mary and the all the Saints, may be filled with the gifts of your Spirit. Amen.

Fourteenth Station - The Risen Lord Sends the Holy Spirit

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. (Act 2: 1-4)

Fifteenth Station - The Risen Lord Appears to Paul on the Road to Damascus

V. We adore you O Christ and we praise you;
R. because by your Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the World.

Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9: 3-6)

We Pray:
Risen Saviour, your servant Paul acknowledged how he who formerly persecuted your Church brought great rejoicing in preaching the faith he once labored to destroy. (Gal 2: 23-24) We give you thanks for the life and ministry of your zealous Apostle who endured many trials and sufferings the sake of your gospel. Help us to bear all sacrifices that we may be ready to make a gift of ourselves in loving service. Amen.

Images of the Via Lucis
Stations of the Cross – Stations of Light, by Ann Ball, illustrated by Brother Placid Stuckenschneider, O.S.B., illustrations
Permission is given for a PowerPoint presentation during the praying of the Via Lucis

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