Customer Reviews

John Paul II's Biblical Way of the Cross

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This is an excellent version of the Stations of the Cross. John Paul II created a slightly different version of the Stations of the Cross based solely on Scripture verses (rather than Scripture and Catholic tradition) and the end product is this wonderful devotional. The Stations of the Cross chronicle 14 different events in the passion and death of Jesus Christ, and has been a popular Christian devotional since the Middle Ages. In "John Paul II's Biblical Way of the Cross," each of the 14 events is displayed on a two-page spread:

*One side has a wonderful color painting depicting the event (such as "Jesus Prays in the Garden" or "Jesus Takes Up His Cross"), the title of the "station," and instructions for the leader and the people through short prayers. Stations of the Cross are usually held at Catholic churches during the season of Lent, although this type of personal devotion can be done in groups or individually (with minor alterations).
*The other side has the Scripture passage and verses, followed by a one paragraph meditation (meant to be read by the leader) and a one paragraph response (meant to be read by the people). Each station concludes with a Kyrie (i.e. repeating "Lord, have mercy"; followed by "Christ, have mercy"; concluded by another "Lord, have mercy")

The quality of the paper and printing is stunning, with bright colors and glossy pages for the pictures. The meditations really hit the right notes, in my opinion, and the responses likewise. I would recommend anyone wanting to use this as a personal devotion to make some slight alterations to the language (which assumes that a group is involved). This is done easily by reading everything oneself, and omitting the parts that say "stand" or "kneel" by just kneeling the whole time. To give you an idea of how "long" the Stations of the Cross is, one of the 14 "stations" can be completed (i.e. read through) in approximately 2-3 minutes. I've attended Stations at the local church and it usually takes 20-30 minutes to get through all 14 in one sitting. Completing one Station each night before bedtime is an excellent way of aiding one's prayer life, as long as one isn't rushing through it just to get to the end of it! The Stations are meant to inspire meditation after all, and there's no such thing as rushing through meditation if you want it to mean anything.

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Notes: There are MANY different interpretations and publications of Stations of the Cross. Take a look at some other versions, especially if you want to use them in your personal prayer life. It is amazing how different perspectives on the same events help in our understanding of the passion and death of Jesus. At less than five dollars for most of them, they are certainly worth the money.

Very beautiful, well thought out meditation on Stations of the Cross.
Especially good in a group setting.

I like the simplicity and format of this little booklet.
I also like the 'different' stations of the cross that
Pope John Paul ll inserted.