A new devotion in the Church, the Stations of Light, fits perfectly with today’s renewed emphasis on popular piety, reminding us to live the Easter spirituality daily.

The Stations of Light, or Via Lucis in Latin, contain fourteen meditations on Christ’s Pasch, from His Resurrection to Pentecost. They may be celebrated any time, although they are particularly fitting for the time from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. In a group setting, the stations are prayed in a similar manner to the Stations of the Cross, but a Paschal candle or icon of the Resurrection is carried rather than a crucifix.

Popular for centuries, the Way of the Cross originated remotely from the practice of Holy Land pilgrims who visited the actual scenes of incidents in the Passion of Christ (Jerusalem’s Via Dolorosa ). Representations elsewhere of at least some of these scenes were known as early as the fifth century. Later, the stations evolved in connection with and as a consequence of strong devotion to the Passion in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Franciscans, who were given custody of the holy places in 1342, promoted the devotion widely; one of them, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, became known as the greatest preacher of the Way of the Cross in the eighteenth century. The general features of the devotion were fixed by Pope Clement XII in 1731. Today, in the Third Millennium, the Stations of Light round out and extend the Easter liturgy in a popular new devotion.

One of the goals of Jubilee 2000 was a better appreciation of traditional Catholic devotions and the development of new expressions of our popular faith which would reflect the vision and theology that emerged from the Second Vatican Council. The essential criterion of these devotions is that the devotion extends, but does not replace, the liturgical life of the Church. The Via Lucis meets this criterion by extending the celebration of the Resurrection and reminding the faithful to live the Easter spirituality as they go forth to tell the Good News. It is a response to the call of the council to place a renewed importance on the Resurrection. “Don’t ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a man, born into King David’s family, and that he was God as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead.” [2Tim: 2:8] *

The Stations of Light, also known as The Via Lucis, are the inspiration of Father Sabino Palembieri, S.D.B., a Salesian priest. He also inspired the formation of an Italian Lay association known as the “Witnesses of the Risen One” which organizes humanitarian Christian activities, operating in joyful friendship, prayer and service. This group also promotes the Via Lucis. The stations were celebrated in the catacomb of St. Calixtus during World Youth Day 2000. . The devotion was celebrated there during World Youth Day 2000. The Official Vatican prayer book for the Jubilee Year included a Via Lucis along with the traditional Via Crucis. An inspirational and attractive devotion, the Way of Light especially appeals to young people as an antidote to today’s spirit of pessimism.

Although the devotion is known in many parts of Western Europe, and in its brief existence has spread to Africa, few American parishes have begun to celebrate it. One reason for this is possibly because pastors fear the added expense of purchasing a new set of permanent stations. Although the Stations of the Cross are erected canonically, and usually as a permanent fixture of a church, there are creative and inexpensive alternatives for the Stations of Light. There is no mandated formula for erecting these stations. Temporary stations may be made in the form of banners, posters, or simply framed pictures. For a beautiful outdoor celebration, especially on retreats, a single banner of the Resurrection could be made and the stations marked with lighted candles. A beautiful wall hanging of the resurrection can be easily made to use as a center of prayer for retreats, prayer groups, youth groups or private devotion at home, or all 14 stations could be printed on a single page and framed for a place on or above the family altar.

In celebrating the Stations of the Light, we are reminded of the presence of Our Risen Lord, calling us to be torch bearers of the Gospel.

Our new book, Stations of the Cross – Stations of Light, includes meditations for both sets of stations in one book. It is a joint project of Ann and Brother Placid Stuckyenschnider, OSB. Brother Placid’s art is known worldwide. He is a member of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. An accomplished artist in a variety of media, he created the designs used for more than forty years on the covers of Mass booklets. Ann’s original meditations are moving, comforting, and challenging. The book takes you on a one-of-a-kind pilgrimage – from Christ’s sentencing, to His death, to His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The book can be ordered as a single copy, or in a package for groups, at:

 http://catalog.osv.com/Catalog.aspx

What are People Saying?

"The Stations of the Cross - Stations of Light are beautifully written and arranged...they will be a source of inspiration for the many who will use them to draw closer to Christ in His Pascal Mystery..."
- Gregory John Mansour, Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn


"The introduction is good, the art work is both modern and simple, and the prayers are devotional without great length. These stations would be good in any parish, CCD, or Catholic School."
- Brother Melvin Pelton. F.S.C., El Paso, Texas


"With Ann Ball's inspirational writing, and Bro. Placid Stuckenschneider’s equally inspirational artwork, Our Sunday Visitor Press is giving us a welcome devotional booklet that could be used for public or private devotions in many Christian churches, not just the Catholic Church. Notwithstanding a few references to things specifically Roman Catholic, all who love our Lord, of whatever Christian denomination, will find scripture-based meditations herein to encourage them and give them hope."
- Rev. Dennis D. Evenson, pastor, Annunciation Parish, Northfield, MN


"I had not seen a format for the Stations of Light before and the artwork proves that one picture is worth a thousand words. The name of the parish where I serve on weekends is Resurrection. The designer chose to place 15 stations in the church rather than the traditional 14. The fifteenth is the Resurrection of Jesus. It was great to receive the rest of the story!"
- Rev. Mark Bonsignore, Church of the Resurrection, Wallingford, Connecticut


"In giving us Stations of the Cross – Stations of Light Ann Ball and Brother Placid Stuckyenschnider, OSB are like the wise householder who took from his storehouse both the old and the new. Here we have worthy meditations and illustrations of the traditional Stations of the Cross and an equally commendable presentation of the less familiar Via Lucis, the Way of Light. Thank you for illustrating in word and art how Our Lord's Stations of the Cross makes all things new in his Stations of Light."
- Rev. Donald Noiseux, St. Thomas Church, Huntington, Mass.


"The station meditations are personal and relevant, which can only aid our entering more deeply into prayer."
- Rev. Peter Martinez, St. Theresa’s Church, Corpus Christi, Texas


"The meditations on the Way of the Cross seem to be of the type that would appeal to young adults. The booklet would be an excellent gift at a retreat, an encouragement to make the Way of the Cross an act of personal piety afterwards."
- Br. James N. Grahmann, FSC, vocation director. New Orleans-Santa Fe province