8° Station -- Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

I have a Dream!

I have a dream. I dream that one day all men will rise up and understand that they are created equal. I dream that one day justice will flow like the water and the rectitude like an impetuous river. I dream that one day the war will cease and all men will turn their swords into plows, the lances into scythes; the nations will not be divided against one another and they will not plan anymore wars. That will be a marvelous day! The stars of the morning will sing together and the children of God will shout for joy!

(cf. Martin Luther King)

7° Station -- Jesus Fallls the Second Time

The Hands of Courage

Reflection of Edith Stein
To give our contribution to carry the cross of Christ is the source of a strong and pure joy. Those to which it is granted and who did so, the builders of the Kingdom of God, are children of God in the truest and fullest sense. To have a predilection for the way of the cross does not mean to deny that Holy Friday has passed and that the work of redemption is finished. The cross is the way that leads from the earth to heaven. Whoever embraces it with faith, love and hope is brought aloft, up to the bosom of the Trinity.

Dare il nostro contributo a portare la croce di Cristo è fonte di una letizia forte e pure, e coloro ai quali è concesso e che lo fanno, i costruttori del Regno di Dio, sono figli di Dio nel senso piu vero e piu pieno. Avere perciò una predilezione per la via della croce non significa affatto rinnegare che il venerdì santo è passato e che l’opera della redenzione è compiuta. La croce è la via che dalla terra conduce al cielo. Chi l’abbraccia con fede, amore e speranza viene portato in alto, fino al seno della Trinità.

6° Station -- Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

The Redeemer of the world presents Veronica with an authentic image of His face. The veil upon which the face of Christ remains imprinted becomes a message for us: This is how every act of goodness, every gesture of true love toward one's neighbour, strengthens the likeness of the Redeemer of the world in the one who acts that way. Acts of love do not pass away. Every act of goodness, of understanding, of service leaves on people's hearts an indelible imprint and makes us ever more like the One who "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" (Phil. 2: 7). This is what shapes our identity and gives us our true name.

(Pope John Paul II)

Palm Sunday--22° World Youth Day

Today, had the privilege to join many youths from all over in the procession for the celebration of Palm Sunday with the Pope. With huge palms in our hands at St. Peter's Square, we recalled the triumphant entry of our Lord into Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. It is just amazing and touching to see the many young people gathering together. Around me, there were a group of students from France and 2 from Brazil. During the Mass, they really participate with all their hearts. Just being with them, clapping and calling out "Benedetto" makes me feel younger and full of hope and enthusiasm.

Today is also the 22° World Youth Day and the Pope invites us to reflect with the theme: “Just as I have loved you, you alsoshould love one another” (Jn 13:34).

With his message, the Pope emphasized that Love is possible and encourage the youth, the future and hope of humanity, to trust in a love that is true, faithful and strong, love that generates peace and joy; a love that binds people together and allows them to feel free in respect for one another. He reminds us that God is the only source of true love.

5° Station -- Simon helped carrying the Cross

Jesus needs the help of another man to continue his journey. In that slow journey beside that man, Simon received that face, serene in his pain, a grateful silent look that transform him profoundly. Our God needs our help. It is not easy to recognize concretely how to give, how to set our lives in relation with others that, without us knowing, they are in need of us, how to discover the profound experience of Simon of Cyrene.

(P. David Turoldo)

4° Station -- Jesus meets His Mother

The Hands of Comfort

Most Holy Mother, for your love, I offer to remain in this harsh jail (Auschwitz), even if the others will be granted to return home. I will remain here, forgotten and contempted, to suffer for you. I offer particularly to you, O Mary, so as to meet death in this camp among hostile and difference men.

(Massimilian Kolbe)

The Silence

It is hard to be him to assist to the agony of a baby of it, of a friend, of a dear person. It is difficult even to say the correct thing and we don't often know even thing to say. We would like that the people to us dear they didn't have to bring the weight of their cross.The love is totally vulnerability, completely without defenses, open to anything happens. Bitter it is to allow the people to do what God he/she asks them, to any cost. All of this that we can do is to be present, to console her, to sustain her to offer them our respect. These moments are sacred.

(Rina Risitano, fsp)

3° Stazione -- Jesus Falls the First Time

The Hands of Benediction

More than a history of meetings, the Way of the Cross is a succession of falls. In the meetings, there is now the Mother, Veronica, the pious women: in the falls, there are all of us. It seems that the Lord has intended to give us appointment "on the ground" where the meeting is easier and bring about common fragility. The fallen one is not a deserter but one "that comes less than the street": and Jesus attends him, lowered himself under the cross, because no one feels alone in times of darkness.
(cf. d. Primo Mazzolari)

2° Station--Jesus Carries the Cross

Hand of Love

"Whoever wish to follow me must deny himself, take up his cross every day and follow me." To give life to others, one need to give up something of ones own life. "No one has greater love than to give ones life for his brothers". Many christians are disposed to give their life for Him. They follow Jesus on the way of the cross. Accused and offended like Him, they gave their lives so that the poor will have life and have it to the fullest.

(cf. Mons. Oscar Romero)

1° Station of the Cross

Reflection from Mother Teresa:

Jesus is condemned to death. It is important that each one of us succeeds in looking at this and take up upon oneself his/her cross. We need to accompany Christ all along His ascent to Calvary, if we want to arrive together with Him on top of the mountain. It is really for this motive that Jesus, before dying, gave us the gift of His Body and Blood so that we could find the strength to take up our cross and follow His journey step by step.
(Mother Teresa, Via Crucis--Le Mie Mani Ferite)

Scavi Tour

It has been 3 weeks since I last posted. Chinese New Year has long gone, the Lenten season is already half-way towards Easter. Well, I have been doing a bit of everything here and there. What is most interesting? If you can remember my posting last year about my adventure in San Pietro, well, my dream came true when I was invited to join our sisters from the Charism Course to make the Scavi Tour.

"Scavi" means excavation. We were given a brief history of the building of St. Peter Basillica and its developments since the year 300s when the Emperor Constantine christianized Rome after he won the battle. Through the years, it developed into its present day form. However, it was in 1939, after the death of Pope Pius XI that excavation began. The late pope had willed to be buried on the grotto level, but by the time of his death, there weren't enough space. So the people decided to lower the ground. It was during this process that they found that there were tombs below. With the permission of the new Pope, Pius XII, excavation began. To keep the story short, they finally found the bones of St. Peter, confirmed that he was buried below. Is it true how Jesus said to Peter: You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my Church."

It was really a neat experience. For those of you who have a chance to come to Rome, this will be one of the tour worth considering. However, I think the tour has to be booked in advance.