Journeying to Calvary in the Footsteps of our Saviour
"O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow." - Lamentations 1:12
At the time of the Crusades, all Europe seemed moved to visit Jerusalem. Everybody longed to pass through this distant region, sanctified by the holy mysteries; even the fiery Robert, Duke of Normandy, made this pilgrimage barefooted, carrying wallet and staff, followed by his vassals.
The Popes were dismayed at this enthusiasm, and to restrain the women, children, and aged, whilst exciting the ardor of emperors, kings, knights, and all who were capable of carrying arms, had recourse to an admirable expedient. They permitted representations of the holy places to be made, and granted to the faithful visiting these symbolical tokens, with the spirit of faith and in memory of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, the same indulgences they would gain by going to the Holy Land, and visiting tiie sacred places in Jerusalem.
Such is the origin of the Way of the Cross. From the beginning, Mary, the Mother of our crucified Saviour, had given to Christians the example of this holy exercise, often travelling over the way followed by her Son in His journey to Calvary. The indulgences are numerous and applicable to the souls in Purgatory. Who does not love to tread in spirit the footprints of our Saviour wending His way to Calvary to redeem us by His death on the cross? What sorrowful heart will not hasten to seek consolation, and near Jesus suffering, pray for a father or mother in the other world, for all who are no more, but with whom the invisible bond of charity is never broken? The dead invite us to it, certain that the painful journey of our Saviour will remind us of the still greater sufferings they undergo in Purgatory. They urge us to enter on this sorrowful road, knowing that numerous indulgences applicable to the faithful departed are attached lo it.
Participation in the Merits of the Agony of our Lord
Mother Philiberte Emanuel of Montoin, Superior of Annecy, whose memory is venerated and whose holy life has been a subject of edification for all the members of the Visitation Order, died 5 February 1683, while Mother Greffier was Superior, and was recommended to the prayers of Sister Margaret Mary. After some time, the latter told her Superior it had been revealed to her that this soul had endeared herself to our Lord by her love and fidelity in His service; that she would be amply recompensed in heaven after the completion of her purification in Purgatory. In reality He allowed Margaret to see her in this place, receiving great relief from the suffrages and good works offered daily for her throughout the Visitation Institute. During the hour spent before the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday night, when Sister Margaret was renewing her prayers for this holy Superior, she appeared to her as being placed within the chalice which contained the sacred Host, receiving a share in the merits of Christ's agony in the Garden of Olives. On Easter Sunday she beheld her as in the commencement of felicity, hoping very soon to enjoy the vision of God. Some days after, she again saw her sweetly losing herself in glory, and melodiously singing the favorite canticle of the servants of God: Love triumphs, love rejoices, love delights in God. Thus this fervent Superior, animated by the purest spirit of her institute, who died leaving a reputation of sanctity, did not enter into the enjoyment of glory till Ma)^ i, according to the revelation made to Sister Margaret Mary; so eighty-six days were required for her purification. Such a long Purgatory for so fervent a soul is a lesson for all slothful, indolent persons, who always believe it possible to do too much in the service of God, who applaud themselves for the most trifling penitential practice.
Practice
Often make the Way of the Cross, and in applying the numerous indulgences to the souls in Purgatory, reserve one for yourself. This practice procures each time the same indulgences as one gains b}^ visiting in person the sacred places in Jerusalem. The conditions are:
1. To be in a state of grace though Confession and Communion are not prescribed;
2. To meditate briefly on the Passion of our Lord;
3. To go from one station to another, so far as the number of persons engaged in the devotion, and the confined space where the stations are erected, will admit;
4. To go through the stations not only in the same day, but without remarkable interruption.
The recitation of vocal prayer is nothing more than a pious and praiseworthy custom.
Prayer
O Jesus! my amiable Saviour, behold me humbly prostrate at Thy feet, imploring thy mercy for myself and the souls of the faithful departed. Deign to apply to us the merits of Thy holy Passion upon which I meditate. Nevertheless, I will'ngly deprive myself, in behalf of these suffering souls, of numerous indulgences in which I can participate by performing this holy exercise, reserving only a Plenary for myself who have great need of expiation.
- text taken from Month of the Dead by Father Celestin Cloquet, translated by a Sister of Mercy, with the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan, Archdiocese of New York, 18 October 1886