The Way of the Cross by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori (Illustrated):
— The beloved Classic Devotional! — Includes Illustrations for all 14 Stations — Includes in-depth information on the History of the Way of the Cross — Includes an Active Table of Contents and NCX Navigation
Publisher: A Paperback Edition is available in two editions:
5.5 x 8.5 Colour: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-033-3
5x8: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-030-2
The object of the Way of the Cross, or Stations is to help the faithful to make in spirit, as it were, a pilgrimage to the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death, and this has become one of the most popular of Catholic devotions. It is carried out by passing from Station to Station, with certain prayers at each and devout meditation on the various incidents in turn. It is very usual, when the devotion is performed publicly, to sing a stanza of the "Stabat Mater" while passing from one Station to the next.
Included are Illustrations of the 14 Stations, in-depth information on the Stations, various Prayers, and the "Stabat Mater" in English and Latin.
The Stations of the Cross:
Station 1: Jesus is Condemned to Death Station 2: Jesus Bears His Cross Station 3: Jesus Falls the First Time Station 4: Jesus Meets His Mother Station 5: Jesus is Helped by Simon Station 6: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus Station 7: Jesus Falls a Second Time Station 8: Jesus Speaks to the Women Station 9: Jesus Falls a Third Time Station 10: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments Station 11: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Station 12: Jesus Dies on the Cross Station 13: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross Station 14: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
Saint Alfonso María de Liguori, CSsR (1696–1787), was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher, and theologian.
He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists). In 1762 he was appointed Bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti. A prolific writer, he published nine editions of his "Moral Theology" in his lifetime, in addition to other devotional and ascetic works and letters. Among his best known works are "The Glories of Mary" and "The Way of the Cross", the latter still used in parishes during Lenten devotions.
He was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871. One of the most widely read Catholic authors, he is the patron saint of confessors.
The Way of the Cross according to the method of St. Alphonsus Liguori is one of the most popular and best-loved Way of the Cross ever. Each station has traditional pictures of mosaics . The Stabat Mater is printed in both Latin and in English. This is the version I used to pray with my grandmother when I was young. And I am glad to have this new eBook edition of it.
This edition from Catholic Way Publishing also has an excellent history of the practice, drawing from historical sources, and Canon law.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books on the Stations of the Cross.
I've been speaking to my Grandpa a lot lately especially about religion and our last call he told me to pull out the Bible to read. Not an idea I was thrilled about but I remembered this and figured that it would count as a religious read even though it isn't the actual Bible. All this book is, is prayers for Jesus's last days from when he is condemned to death to his placement inside of the tomb. I only bought this because of the artwork and for me that is the only good thing about this whole book.
I liked this version very much. Classic but not too Old-fashioned. The illustrations were moving. I especially liked the history of the Station at end of booklet.
These are the Stations of the Cross that we prayed as a family when I was growing up. I have since found a set of prayers that I like better, but these are so familiar to me that if I read the first line or two, sometimes I can tell you the rest of the prayer. I was deeply emotionally affected by these meditations when I was growing up. I didn't appreciate or realize until I was older that this kind of piety is a gift. I can't take credit for it; I can only be grateful for it, but also understand that piety isn't the same thing as holiness.
My favorite guide for praying the Stations of the Cross! I remember this well from my childhood and had to buy booklets for my family because no parish that I have attended in the past 20 years has used these prayers of St. Alphonse Liguori. If I had ever left the Catholic faith, his concluding prayer for each station, "I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt." would probably have lured me back as I don't think anything like this is found in other churches. I give thanks that this beautiful sentiment was introduced to my soul at a young age, and that I am able to revisit it again in this booklet. It continues to be a sincere sentiment. Dear Lord, grant that I may love You always.
Apparently the most popular method of The Way of the Cross. A classic to be practiced for a deeper reflection. Personally though, I prefer Ven. Fulton Sheen's.
This book is a very great way to reflect on the stations of the cross. It makes you realize how much Jesus went through on that cross. This book is also humbling. 😃📖📿✝️
Back in 2006 a year after I started writing reviews for newspapers and magazines I wrote a couple of posts with quick short reviews of various Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross versions that I used often. This was one of the volumes covered. Since then I have written longer reviews of several of those Stations, but I had not yet done this one. I actually have three variations on this booklet. I have this specific edition from TAN in Booklet format, audio book, and eBook. The different stations I have from Saint Alphonsus Liguori are:
The Way of the Cross – TAN Books Booklet The Way of the Cross – TAN Books eBook The Way of the Cross – TAN Books Audio Book Stations of the Cross The Way of Divine Mercy – Catholic Truth Society The Way of the Cross- Catholic Way Publishing
The wording in the Tan edition and the Catholic Way Publishing are nearly identical. The difference is the TAN Edition includes the Nihil Ovstat, the Imprimatur from the 1908 Benziger Brothers edition. There is also a note about an Impratur from a 1913 edition. TAN Books retypeset it in 1987 and again in 2007. I have had one of this format in booklet edition since late in High School, and still often see them in racks at the back of parishes. The version from the CTS has modernized the language and is based on a different translation. But Back to this edition.
The short description of this booklet is:
“We consider this the best Way of the Cross we have ever seen. Traditional, edifying pictures. The Stabat Mater is given in Latin and English.”
It should be noted the Latin is at the beginning of each station and the English at the end. The full description contains:
“The greatest gift we have received is the Passion and Death of Our Lord. How often have we meditated upon this treasure so dearly bought for us? Learn from a saint’s reflections on the greatest act of love, and pray the stations of the Cross with a Doctor of the Church: St. Alphonsus Liguori. With this pocket-sized booklet, you will have easy access to the most beloved version of the Way of the Cross. The method of St. Alphonsus is spiritually enriching and prayerfully composed. In this booklet, all fourteen Stations of the Cross are complemented by traditional illustrations and the Stabat Mater in both Latin and English. … Included with the method of St. Alphonsus in this accessible devotional are: A preparatory prayer A prayer to Jesus Crucified Steps to gain a partial or plenary indulgence This booklet gives you the chance to deepen your devotion to Christ Crucified no matter what you’re doing or how busy you are. Because it is compact, clearly organized, and complete with traditional prayers, it is perfect for every Catholic!”
This edition includes returning to the altar for the Prayer to Jesus Crucified at the end. It is followed by the Stabat Mater in parallel. We are also informed that:
“This versicle and response are not found in the Liguori Way of the Cross but are borrowed from the Franciscan method for the purpose of increased devotion.”
A sample station is:
“Ninth Station JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME.
Eia Mater, fons amoris, Me sentire vim doloris. Fac, ut tecum lugeam.
NINTH STATION
Jesus falls the Third Time.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee, R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Priest: Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely strength to move.
People: Ah, my outraged Jesus, * by the merits of the weakness that Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, * give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect * and all my wicked passions, * which have led me to despise Thy friendship. * I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; * I repent of having offended Thee. * Never permit me to offend Thee again. * Grant that I may love Thee always, * and then do with me what Thou wilt. *
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
V. Lord Jesus, crucified, R. Have mercy on us!
O thou Mother! fount of love, Touch my spirit from above. Make my heart with thine accord.”
I love the eBook and booklet edition of this devotion from TAN and having recently picked up the audio version read by Joe Hunninghake, I look forward to praying along with it and reviewing it separately.
This is a Way of the Cross that I have been using for over 30 years. I try and pray a stations each Friday throughout the year and every day during Lent. I can easily recommend this version. I use both this edition and the modernized version from the Catholic Truth Society often. I can easily recommend this version for personal, family, small group or even public devotion. This is truly a classic and a Stations worth having in your home, school, or church library.
Trying more and more to learn how to discern on the word of God is a daunting task, nevertheless I with the help of this book I have learned to be more at peace with my self, something I did not expected.
🖋️ This is one of two prayer books of the Stations of the Cross that I use. It's simple, straightforward, with devout prayers and classic illustrations. This is a very good resource to help pray with little distraction and much concentration.
📙 My edition was published in 1969. 📕 Read from my private library. 🕊️●🕊️●🕊️
I consider myself a Gnostic Christian, and this tiny book served to inspire me when writing a similar "Stations of the Cross," but from Mary Magdalene's point of view.