A respected Franciscan liturgist, now deceased, once grumbled that so many of the Church’s popular devotions failed to reflect the Paschal Mystery. He was hopeful, way back when, that the liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council would lead to the development of more Christ-centred devotions. One timeless devotion never lamented was the Way (or “Stations”) of the Cross.
Originating with St. Francis of Assisi who desired to bring the Gospels to life with living depictions of not only Jesus’ passion but also of his birth, the Way of the Cross is one Christ-centred devotion that has withstood time and several liturgical evolutions. Now we have also been given the Way of Light (Stations of the Resurrection).
My introduction to the via lucis, 14 stories of the risen Lord, came in 2021. For reasons everyone remembers, it was a dark time. Hope was wanting. At St. Joseph the Worker parish, as everywhere, we were scrambling for any and all reasons to engage the faithful virtually.
So in Lent we hosted the Stations of the Cross via livestream. And then, while searching for more content, one of our schoolteachers suggested the Stations of the Resurrection.
When first learning of the Stations of the Resurrection, or Way of Light, I was surprised. I was even more surprised to discover the beautiful resources that were available.
As noted in the March 16 B.C. Catholic, the Way of Light, also known as the Stations of the Resurrection, celebrates the 50 days of Easter, the most joyful time in the Christian calendar.
By using the metaphor of a journey, the Way of Light moves us from the experience of darkness and suffering to one of light and hope, which is the promise of Easter: liberation, joy, and peace. All the Easter gospels are reflected in the Way of the Light.
Since the pandemic our parish has invited parishioners to pray the via lucis devotion every Friday evening throughout the Easter season. A very Christ-centred devotion, it also seems to be a popular one.
This is not 2021, but the want for hope in resurrection is every bit as real. As so many of us shiver before the reality of suffering and death, our faith offers the opportunity to contemplate the soul-lifting mysteries of Christ’s exit from the tomb.
Death, we know, has a sting. But it most certainly does not have the last word.
Father Pierre Ducharme, OFM, is pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Richmond.
