The Way of the Cross: a gesture of Mercy in union with Christian faithful in the Holy Land
Monday, February 29, 2016
During this year of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), in collaboration with the Commissariat of the Holy Land in Canada, has provided clergy and all the faithful a version of the Stations of the Cross which focuses especially on the gift of faith. Like the previous years, this pastoral resource was prepared for celebrations of the Way of the Cross during Lent and on Good Friday, and includes special prayers for peace in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East. Way of the Cross – Way of Faith unites us with the Church in the Holy Land in responding to the challenges of faith and peace, which Christians there are living in an extremely courageous manner.
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) likewise offers a resource for the Stations of the Cross, the Solidarity Way of the Cross. This year, CCODP focuses on the suffering caused by climate change. One of the meditations reads: “Humanity, along with all of creation, is on a critical journey as we are challenged by climate change. Will we set out on a path of mercy; adjusting our patterns of consumption to lessen our carbon footprint and give Mother Earth a chance to heal? Will this journey become a pilgrimage towards sustainability and, ultimately, resurrection?” The Solidarity Way of the Cross can be downloaded from the Website of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, where it is provided as one of the resources for the annual Share Lent campaign.
The illustrated web version of Way of the Cross – Way of Faith includes photographs from the 2002 World Youth Day Way of the Cross. The text is also available without the illustrations. Both versions can be freely downloaded for use by parishes or other groups. The website of the Commissariat of the Holy Land in Canada offers other resources for prayer and meditation, including a guide of Meditations and prayers of praise for the Year of Mercy in connection with the Holy doors of Mercy of the main Basilicas of the Holy land.
Link to the Way of the Cross – Way of Faith (PDF Version with pictures)
Link to Way of the Cross – Way of Faith (PDF Version without pictures)