The Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross with Blessed Alphonse Marie

Stations of the Cross 1

1. Jesus is condemned to death

“The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him: ‘Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.’ Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.” (Mk 15:3–5)

Still ringing in my ears are the words our priest spoke in religion class about Jesus’ suffering in the Garden of Olives: “Look, children, what Jesus, our dear Saviour, suffered because of our sins, and how the suffering caused him to bleed. Look, children, how violent this suffering must have been. Suffering is already violent when it causes sweating, but what must it be when the suffering causes a bloody sweat? These sufferings of Jesus were caused by our sins.” (Autobiography of Elizabeth Eppinger, I/28)

Stations of the Cross 2 – Stations of the Cross with the thoughts of Blessed Alphonse Marie

Lord Jesus,
the thought of your suffering is always a strength in my own.
Your suffering and your death
give meaning to every burden in my life.
Teach me to carry it with you, as Mother Alphonse Marie leads me to do,
in whose spirit I want to follow you,
and who placed meditation on your work of salvation / on the mystery of the Redemption
at the centre of her life.
Grant that I may learn from you,
and also from the work you accomplished in her life.
Grant that I may attain salvation.
On this way of the cross I want to ask you
also for the salvation of all people.
Grant that none of my efforts at prayer may be in vain.

Stations of the Cross 3

Jesus, Blessed Alphonse Marie Eppinger wanted to walk a path similar to yours. She pondered how she carried her cross and how she saw your presence in her life. She also asked for the grace to suffer together with you. Moved by your sufferings, with deep gratitude she bowed before you, suffering and dying Jesus, that she might become like you and give you her heart filled with love.

At this moment we stand before you, Lord, and because of our sins we do not dare even to look at you suffering under the cross on the way to Calvary. Yet the words you spoke to Blessed Alphonse Marie, “Pray, suffer and bear your cross with me”, fill us with courage to step out and follow you on the way of the cross. Blessed Alphonse Marie encourages us: “Your sufferings and trials should neither darken your countenance nor depress your thoughts. You will always have suffering. Your way is the way of Calvary. As long as I live, I will speak to you of sufferings, sufferings that will sanctify you. Suffering is a sign that God is with us and that he loves us; were he to leave us without suffering, we would be lost.”

Stations of the Cross 4 – for priests

Since her childhood Bl. Alphonse Marie saw God alone in a priest. When she had the opportunity to meet one, she watched him motionless for a long time, saying: “If only I could talk to him. He would certainly tell me about God.” Among the books about Bl. Alphonse Marie there is one entitled “Prayers, Instructions and Exhortations of the Ecstatic”. It contains instructions and exhortations for the spiritual life. There we can also read who priests are, how they should follow Jesus, and how to acquire the qualities of a good priest. According to Bl. Alphonse Marie, priests are ministers of God’s graces. They are brothers and favourites of our Saviour. They must be worthy representatives of our Saviour. Therefore they must follow him and imprint his face and his virtues deeply in their hearts. They will obtain these qualities through meditation on the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Let us now walk from station to station of Jesus’ Way of the Cross with our Bl. Alphonse Marie. Immersed in silence, let us draw from her spiritual treasure, so that she may teach us how to meditate on the sufferings of Jesus Christ. Let us ask for blessing and strength for all the priests in the world, especially for those who baptised us, led us to First Holy Communion and administered the sacrament of reconciliation to us. Let us pray for them, that they may never forget that they remain the chosen sons of the heavenly Father.

Introductory prayer

Heavenly Father, you give us examples in your saints, among whom is also Bl. Alphonse Marie, a great venerator of priests. We ask you, hear her intercession, as we now call upon her to guide us on this way of the cross of your Son. May she, by the power of her intercession, obtain help from you, especially for:

• priests who, although they have left the priestly ranks, remain your priests for ever;
• priests who have gone astray, that the true light may enlighten them, so that they may find the way and return to God;
• priests who are burdened, that they may be refreshed in body and soul by the power of the Holy Spirit and return to their priestly duties;
• faithful priests, that they may confidently follow their Divine Master on the way to the human soul;
• zealous priests, that they may not be discouraged by misunderstanding and disappointment, but always regain their balance in humble prayer;
• enthusiasm for all young men who are thinking of stepping into the footsteps of your Son, the Eternal High Priest.

We also give thanks for families, and especially for the mothers who gave their priest-sons to God and to the Church.