Pope Francis, who presided over a solemn Way of the Cross in the Roman Colosseum, a touching prayer service ended.
The themes of this year’s discussion of the Cross was the persecution of Christians in the world, the vision of the Church of the poor, as well as capital punishment and abuse against children.
A clear reference to the persecution of the faithful was entrusted with the task of bringing the cross during the 14th station Syrians and Iraqis.
Cross also carried the Egyptians, the Chinese, the people of the Holy Land and the Italian family.
Dialogue with the faithful
A new element of the Cross was to try guess the thoughts of Jesus during his Passion.
“wobbles when I make the first steps. I’ve lost a lot of blood. I fall to the ground. Someone puts me around I see the crowd” – these words were read at the 3rd station.
Every time – after the presentation of the thoughts and feelings of Christ – thoughts sustain the faithful, which meant that discussion took the form of dialogue.
Among the topics there are also considerations, family dramas, suffering parents and children. Particular attention was paid to them during the fourth station.
“I hear around me screaming. They grab a peasant, and without further ado force him to help. We go together to the place of execution. It carries the cross, but not mine. But helping me, follow me “- these words, the possible feelings of Jesus, were read at the next station – a meeting with Simon of Cyrene.
In the sixth station associated with the character of Veronica, we heard:” The crowd is a lot of women. For politeness one of them comes and wipes my face (…) “. These considerations related to the role of women in society.
“Fatigue is not only physical. Yesterday long prayed to the Father. My sweat was like drops of blood. I went already in agony (…). Thank you, Father, that angel sent from heaven to strengthen me “- is thought accompanying the next, seventh station.
Meeting by women in Jerusalem – the eighth station – has been linked in the consideration of the issue of peace in the world.
“My dear coming to an end. (..) Many listened to me and went behind me, others I did not understand, and still others fought me. But right now, more than ever I am called to reveal God’s love for man “- these words are related to the third fall of Christ.
The Eleventh Station – nailed Christ to the cross – has been devoted to the subject of torture and the death penalty.
touching prayer of Pope
“In your face, we see the enormity of our sins (…), in your eyes – the suffering of all abandoned by the society in your body – our neighbors, destroyed by indifference. In you we see today our brothers – persecuted for their faith shear. Before our eyes, and often in the face of our silent participation “- Francis Pope said.
” Bring us to change, to conversion of life “- the pope prayed.
” Strengthen us faith to not fall in the face of temptation. Strengthen our faith, would not it fell in the face of persecution. (…) Teach us that the cross is the way to resurrection. Teach us that Good Friday is the way to Easter, and that God never forgets anyone, and never ceases to forgive, “- he said.
” I believe in your father’s mercy without borders “- said the pope moved. At the end said a prayer “Soul of Christ.”
The author of considerations that accompanied devotion, is a retired Italian bishop of Novara Renato Corti.
No comments:
Post a Comment