Learning to Love Without Limits by the Stations of the Cross

The dramatic recounting on Friday of the events surrounding the crucifixion and death of Christ surely awakened a call, in the hearts of all who witnessed, a desire to love without limits as Christ and his Blessed Mother.

Through the prayer of the Stations of the Cross, the Holy Spirit inspires us to recognize the face of Christ in those around us in need. We are taught by Mary, Mother of God, Joy of all who Suffer, to accompany those most in need with our prayers and loving attentive presence.

As Christians we believe that there is a mystery of God's salvific and merciful love which surrounds human suffering. The Church, our Mother and Teacher, helps us to understand and enter into this mystery through the prayer of the Stations of the Cross.

When suffering enters our lives, we unite ourselves with Christ and pray to the Father, "Lord, take this cup from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done." With faith and loving acceptance we follow in the footsteps of Christ, in obedience to our Father, knowing we are participating in a mysterious way in the pouring out of God's salvific and merciful love upon the world.

So let us go forward reflecting often upon the words of Scripture and the Stations of the Cross that we my be strengthened and inspired by the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, especially when we or those we love are faced with the mystery of suffering that we may truly live, that we may truly love without limits as Christ and his Blessed Mother.

May the Lord grant abundant blessings to all those who participated in making the great devotion of the Stations of the Cross part of the pilgrimage of World Youth Day 2008.

Sr. Mariea Dolorosa, S.V.