The way of our Lord’s passion and cross

(Part 1)

Today, pilgrims to the Via Dolorosa in the city of Jerusalem are most likely to go shopping than to pray at the 14 stations of our Lord’s road to Mt. Calvary. It is a mere kilometer walk on the three- to six-meter-wide ancient streets bordered by Muslim souk (shops) whose sellers persistently nag Christian tourists to buy various holy souvenirs.

The intimate details of our Savior’s suffering and crucifixion narrated here are from the book, The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics. This is a compilation of the visions and private revelations of St. Elizabeth of Schoenau (1127-1164), St. Bridgette of Sweden (1303-1373), Venerable Mother of Jesus of Agreda (1602-1665), and Sister Anna Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824).

The famous Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB, pioneer of the modern liturgical revival, summed up the age-old wisdom found in the reply of the Holy Mother Church regarding the mystical writings of her saintly children: “Private revelations … are a powerful means of strengthening the increasing Christian sentiments.”

“In the periods of Church history … has had in her bosom souls to whom it pleases God to communicate extraordinary lights of which He allows some rays to fall onto the community of the faithful … there are certain lights, which God communicates to souls whom He has chosen, and when He so determines in such a way that they spread far and wide for the consolation of simple hearts and also to be a certain trial for those who are wise in their own opinion …”

Blessed Mother Mary, a companion of our Savior in His passion and cross

(The Cenacle, where our Lord held His last supper, is above the ancient Tower of David by the Zion Gate. This is close to the Holy Sepulcher Church at the end of the Via Dolorosa, between the Muslim and the Christian quarters of Jerusalem.)

At dawn on Holy Thursday, Jesus called Mary and said to her, “My Mother, the hour decreed by My Father for the salvation of the human race has now arrived and we must subject ourselves to His will. As My true Mother, give Me your permission to enter upon My suffering and death; just as you consented of your own free will to My Incarnation so I now desire that you also consent to My Death on the cross. This sacrifice is the return, which I ask of you, for having made you My Mother.”

Those words pierced Mary’s loving heart with the sharpest pain. Looking at her divine Son, she remembered how He had obeyed her for so many years, and she recalled all the blessings He had given her throughout their 33 years together. She realized now that she had to lose Him and give Him up to a cruel death at the hands of His enemies: “My Lord, I offer myself and resign myself, in order that in me, just as in Thee, the will of the eternal Father may be fulfilled. The greatest sacrifice that I can make is that I cannot die with Thee. O, my Son and Lord, give Thy afflicted Mother strength and courage. Admit her as Thy companion so that she may share Thy Passion and Cross, and so that the eternal Father may receive the sacrifice of Thy Mother in union with Thine.”

Station I: Jesus institutes the Eucharist

Knowing that Jesus would institute the Most Blessed Sacrament, Mary humbly begged Him to allow her to receive Him in the Holy Eucharist, for which she had longed and had been preparing herself for many years. He instructed her to follow Him to Jerusalem and go with the Holy Women to another room beside the dining room.

Knowing that her first Holy Communion was near, Mary contemplated on the sacred drama of the institution of the Holy Eucharist to bring herself in close spiritual union with her Son’s prayers and actions. At the climax of this beautiful and moving ceremony, our Lord took a particle of the Consecrated Bread and gave it to the invisible Archangel who brought it to an adoring and reverential Mary, without anyone else being aware of what was happening.

When Jesus was about to leave the Cenacle with the Apostles, Mary went to meet Him at the door. Looking down at her with divine majesty and overflowing love, the Lord said to her: “Mary Mother, I shall be with you in tribulation. Let us accomplish the will of the Father and the salvation of Man!”

Station II: Jesus prays in Gethsemane

(Gethsemane is in the Mount of Olives near the old Jewish cemetery east of Jerusalem. Ancient olive trees dot this hill while the Basilica of the Agony memorializes the place where our Lord prayed and where Judas betrayed Him.)

While Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, Mary likewise retired to a room and begged the Eternal Father that she might be allowed to feel all the physical and spiritual pain and torture her Son was about to undergo. The Holy Trinity granted her prayer.

When Judas betrayed His master with a kiss the Blessed Mother prayed fervently for his conversion, and interceded for the soldiers as they were thrown unconscious to the ground by the invisible power of God; subsequently they all became Christians. Judas, however, refused the rich graces the Blessed Mother obtained for him. She wept bitterly over his tragic fate. She also prayed especially for the Apostles of Christ as they fled in fear of their lives.

In this dark hour of her Son’s arrest, Mary united in her valiant heart all the faith, holiness and worship of the Church in perfect love and adoration for the Incarnate Lord.

Station III: Jesus before the Sanhedrin

(The Lion’s Gate facing the Mount of Olives marks the start of the Via Dolorosa. The High Priest Caiaphas tried Jesus at the Praetorium that now houses the Muslim Omariye Islamic College.)

The suffering of Jesus had begun. One issue the witnesses bitterly argued among themselves was the legitimacy of His birth. John the Beloved Disciple, who had gained admittance into the judgment hall, heard Caiaphas declare that Jesus deserved death. He hastened to Martha’s house to gently break the sad news to the Blessed Mother and to console her in this terrible moment. Mary and the Holy Women yearned to be as close as possible to their suffering Lord, so they insisted that John lead them to the judgment hall at once.

The Blessed Virgin endured it all in silence just like her divine Son, who at the same moment was being mocked and struck in the High Priest’s palace. Her inner suffering in empathy with Him was so intense that occasionally her companions had to support her in their arms. Jesus was dragged to a filthy underground prison cell to spend the hours until dawn. After sunrise, Caiaphas sent Jesus to Pilate where Mary witnessed her first Roman trial. She held her mantle before her face and quietly wept tears of blood as she saw with what furious hatred the enemies of Jesus attacked Him with and how they mercilessly sought His death. She prayed that she might accompany her Son until the end, and that Pilate would see Jesus’ innocence. God granted both of her requests.

Jesus was again brought before Pilate. The Holy Women heard a rumor that the Roman Governor was trying to release Jesus. Trembling with all the hopes and fears of a mother, Mary’s heart was cruelly torn between her natural desire for her Son’s safety and her supernatural submission to God’s will. But Pilate, being weak, yielded to the cries of the enemies of Jesus by freeing Barabbas and condemning the Galilean to be scourged.

Station IV: Jesus scourged and crowned with thorns

(Across Omariye College is the Franciscan Churches of Condemnation and Flagellation where Jesus was scourged, mocked, crowned with thorns, and given His cross to carry.)

As the innocent Victim was being stripped and chained to a pillar, it seemed he was saying, “O My Mother, turn your eyes from Me!” At this point, Mary fainted in the arms of her companions yet she witnessed in a vision the scourging of her Son by three successive pairs of cursing Egyptian slaves armed with hard cords, thorny branches, and chains equipped with sharp iron hooks.

After the scourging, Jesus was led into the Praetorium to be crowned with thorns. He wiped the blood from His eyes to see His afflicted Mother. As He passed, she lifted her hands toward Him in agony and gazed at His bloodstained footsteps. Even under the stress of her intense suffering, all her actions were restrained yet gentle and humble.

After the crowning with thorns, Jesus was again brought before the people. “Behold the Man!” Pilate exclaimed. Mary fell onto her knees and worshipped the Lord while His enemies shouted, “Crucify Him!”

Station V: Jesus carries His cross to Calvary

During the carrying of the cross, the Blessed Mother begged John to take her to a place where her Son would pass. At the entrance of a certain large house along the way, they waited.

As the tragic procession approached, Mary threw herself on her knees, praying fervently. Then she turned to John and said, “Shall I stay here? How can I bear it?” John answered, “If you do not stay, you will always bitterly regret it.”

At length, some men carrying the instruments of execution passed by. Looking at Mary in insolently, one of them said, “She is the Galilean’s mother!”

Station VI: Jesus falls under the weight of the cross

(Continue along Via Dolorosa and turn left into El-Wad Street. Here a plaque shows where Jesus fell under the weight of His cross. The route passes by some Arab shops and teashops.)

At last, Mary saw her Son. Shaking under the cross, His head was drooping in agony on His shoulders. With His bloody, deep-sunken eyes, He looked with intense compassion at His suffering Mother. Then, utterly exhausted, He fell onto His hands and knees under the cross.

Station VII: Jesus is helped by simon of Cyrene

(Turning right from El-Wad, the street is again called Via Dolorosa. It is at this corner of El-Wad Street and Via Dolorosa that Simon of Cyrene is said to have taken the cross from Jesus to help Him. Narrower and climbing, the route passes more souvenir shops.)

The soldiers, fearing that Jesus might die on the way to Calvary, forced a bystander named Simon, to help Him.

Station VIII: Jesus meets the pious women of Jerusalem

(The route reaches a junction in the midst of the crowded shopping streets of the Arab souk. A few paces ahead, along Via Dolorosa, a Latin cross marks the wall of a Greek monastery. It is said to be the site where Jesus urged the women of Jerusalem to weep not for Him but for themselves and their children.)

In her anguish and love Mary forgot the soldiers and executioners. She saw nothing but her afflicted Son. From the doorway, she rushed to Jesus, and throwing herself onto her knees, she embraced Him lovingly and tenderly.

Confusion followed. The officers shouted orders to the guards, while John and the Holy Women tried to draw Mary back. One of the executioners said to Mary insultingly, “If you brought Him up better, He would not be here now!” Several of the Roman soldiers were deeply touched, and they conducted the Mother of Jesus to one side.

(Part II – Modern Man in Crisis Needs the Triumphant Resurrection)

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