The traditional devotion associated with Lent, particularly on Fridays, is the Stations of the Cross. Every Catholic Church has the Stations somewhere around the walls, though the form which they take can vary from simple crosses on the wall to elaborate carvings.
The Stations at Lourdes are really stunning: I've done them a few times in the past but alas, my knees can't cope with the very steep incline and gravelly ground any more - the way down at the end is actually more hazardous than the way up!!The Lourdes Magazine describes the new Stations which have been erected opposite the Grotto for those with mobility problems... I haven't had a chance to try them out yet, but look forward to seeing them on the pilgrimage in May.
You can pray the Stations yourself at home, meditating on each one, but there is something special about joining a group to pray them. Just in case there is anyone stumbling across my blog who is unfamiliar with this devotion, there are traditionally 14 Stations (with a possible 15th if you include the Resurrection!)
I Jesus is condemned to death
II Jesus receives the cross
III Jesus falls the first time
IV Jesus meets his Blessed Mother
V Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene
VI Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
VII Jesus falls the second time
VIII Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
IX Jesus falls the third time
X Jesus is stripped of his garments
XI Jesus is nailed to the cross
XII Jesus dies on the cross
XIII Jesus is taken down from the cross
XIV Jesus is laid in the sepulchre
Pastor in Valle is putting up pictures of carvings of the Stations which he has at his church... they're not quite my cup of tea, though I do find something intriguing and attractive about them...Catholic Online has some meditations suitable for use when praying the Stations.
I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never let me separate myself from thee again; grant that I may love thee always, and then do with me what thou wilt.
I have been searching for pictures on the web of the wooden carvings of the stations of the cross. We have them at our Church and I find them really moving as there are so many interpretations, so much feeling in the tilt of the head or the hand. Perhaps you should spend more time with them? ;) I was wondering if you know who they're by or even better if I can find them on the web?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks.
Roberta - try following the link to Pastor in Valle which I give in the post.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's anything wrong with them, I just don't find them appealing: it's personal taste, just as some people go crazy over abstract art (why????) So I'm not too fussed about not liking them, or finding them helpful in prayer. If you like them, then I hope you manage to find a good set of the pictures to use for personal meditation...