The Way of the Cross

by Caryll Houselander

The Way of the Cross is a glorious meditative journey in which readers are led to meet themselves through re-experiencing the Passion of Christ. Each of the 14 meditations concludes with an original prayer. This revised edition is enhanced by 14 of the author's own powerful line drawings. Paperback

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Prayer, Faith, Spirituality, History, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Caryll Houselander (1901-1954) was a British Roman Catholic laywoman; a mystic, writer, artist, visionary and healer. Born in London in 1901, Caryll was the second of two daughters born to Willmott and Gertrude (nee Provis) Houselander. Her first book, This War is the Passion. written during World War II, launched her prolific writing career. Houselander's talents included painting and many woodcarvings.

Caryll's "divinely eccentric" life was principally a devotion to contemplating Christ in all and men and women and in all life circumstances. Maisie Ward (a friend of Caryll and author of her principal biography, Caryll Houselander: That Divine Eccentric (Sheed & Ward, 1962), states, "Her message can be summed in a single sentence; we must learn to see Christ in everyone." Msgr. Ronald Knox was quoted as saying about Caryll's writing style, " . . . she seemed to see everything for the first time and the driest of doctrinal considerations shone out like a restored picture when she finished it."

Though she remained a single woman throughout her life, Caryll was engaged for a time to Sidney Reilly, who was the model for Ian Fleming's character, "James Bond."

Caryll Houselander has been described as being a mystic in the tradition of Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and Teresa of Avila. She is best known for her works such as The Reed of God.

Caryll died of cancer on October 12th, 1954. Her bibliography consists of more than seven hundred written works including poems, short stories and articles, articles for juvenile publications and children's books (for some of these she did artwork for as well), articles for various Catholic publications, and, of course, her own books.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I did this together this year. In the past I have done these on my own, but this time, we each read a station in the evening; they are several pages with a prayer at the end. It is a different approach to doing all 14 at one time, but allows for more focus on a smaller area. He was quite moved by several of them as I always am. These are my favorite stations.


Caryll Houselander is a favorite author and this one of my favorites of her books. Recently it was suggested that a good way to do the Stations of the Cross was to meditate on one station each day at 3 p.m. beginning on one Sunday and continuing through the next two weeks. This allows you to mediate more fully on each station and complete all fourteen in two weeks. At which point you may finish, or begin again...

Beginning October 12th with "Jesus is Condemned to Death" by the first Tuesday I was up to reading about Simon helping Jesus carry the cross. Houselander puts us (me) in the role of Simon and of course the Christs we are to help are not only those who seem Christlike, but more those in whom Christ is hidden: those whom the world condemns. There Christ suffers most and needs our help to bear a cross he cannot bear alone. Each reflection ends with a prayer.

By the second Tuesday, Veronica has wiped Our Lord's face, Jesus has fallen three times and spoken to the women of Jerusalem. Each station is a weaving of Christ's life up to this moment, his current suffering and its impact on our future as if they were but a single instant, a window on Eternity. At Station 10, Jesus is stripped of his garments, I meditated on the blood soaked garments being ripped from Christ's bruised and battered body, undoubtedly removing skin and flesh along with clothing. Exposed and naked as he was when he came into this world, owning nothing, he is now prepared to give all for love of us... 'He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter...' Isaiah 53:7

Finally at the last station, Jesus is laid in the tomb, having died all our deaths for us, both the little deaths we die each day as well as that final death which ends our earthly existence. And yet we have nothing to fear because we know he will be with for us in our rising as well since he has led the way, conquering all Death.

A healing and inspirational book which can be used over and over again. Christianity is about our relationship with Jesus, how we become more like him, by walking with him, letting him work through us as he leads us back to the Father.

MOST HIGHLY recommended!


<><><><><><><>

March 25, 2012: Read a chapter or two each night leading up to Good Friday. Each chapter contains a reflection on that particular Station of the Cross followed by a beautiful prayer. Highly recommended as a Lenten read!

[Manny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually four and a half stars if I could give half stars.

I have seen many a devotional passage from Caryll Houslander, but this is the first book I’ve read by her. This was a perfect Lenten read with some of her characteristic insights and lovely prose. Houselander was a British Catholic artist, mystic, and writer during the first half of the twentieth century. In The Way of the Cross, she walks us through the Stations of the Cross, each chapter being one of the stations. At each station she puts you in the scene of Christ’s suffering, moves to some theological point, connects that station to our lives, and concludes with a prayer poem. In what stands for an introduction, titled Via Crucis, she walks you into a church where a group is praying the Stations.

Three o’clock on a grey afternoon. Outside, a steady drizzle of rain; inside the church, an odd motley of people.

A smartly dressed woman, side by side with one who is shabby and threadbare. A boy and girl who appear to be in love. A very old man, so bowed that he is permanently in an attitude of adoration. A stalwart young soldier whose polished buttons glitter like gems in the candlelight. A couple of students, shabbily but elegantly dressed in corduroys and bright scarves, rubbing shoulders with a gaunt, round-shouldered man who looks like a tramp. A sprinkle of small children. And behind them all, as if he felt himself to be the modern Publican, though there is no reason why he should, a thickset, square-shouldered business man. And a few seconds before the priest, in come a couple of rather flustered little nuns, like birds shaking the rain off their black feathers.

What a diversity of places these people must have come from—luxury flats, tenements, small boardinghouses, institutions, barracks, studios, colleges, doss houses, schools, offices, convents. What sharp contrast there must be between their different lives and circumstances! But they seem to be strangely at one here, gathered round a crude coloured picture on the wall of the church, “The First Station of the Cross,” and it seems to come naturally to them to join together in the same prayer:

“We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.”

“Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.”

The tender rhythmic prayer that has been on the lips of men all through the ages is repeated fourteen times as they move slowly around the church, following the priest from station to station, until they reach the last of all, “Jesus Laid in the Tomb.” (pp. 1-2)...

That should give you a feel for fluid, even poetic writing style. Well worth reading, especially at the Kindle price of $4.99. Only draw back was its length. At around 100 pages, I wanted more! One should probably save it for during the Lenten season.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t agree 100% with all of the theological aspects of this book, but then, being Protestant, I didn’t expect to. I borrowed this book wanting a Lenten devotional, and I got that and more. I am not alone in thinking that familiarity with Christ’s passion is important; apparently, early Jesuits would develop meditation schedules which set aside several hours for imagining, as clearly as possible, Jesus’ suffering. I assume that the point of this was not only to establish empathy for Christ’s pain and deeper understanding of the sacrifice He made, but also to be closer somehow to God, by sharing, to some degree, this death.

I was expecting this book to explain, station by station, the suffering of Christ. And it does, with clarity and insight that I would not have reached on my own. But it also does much more than that, linking the suffering of Jesus two thousand years ago to human suffering today, showing God’s mercy at work in today’s world as well, comparing the disciples at the foot of the cross to worshipers in churches today. It is this timeliness, I think, that makes this book so moving. I was, and am, impressed.

[Anna Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful meditations on each of the stations. Really focused on how Christ identifies in unique ways with our sufferings at each stations. Also though the prayers at the end of each chapter were lovely.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Do not give me tears
to shed at the feet of the crucifix
while they blind me to Christ crucified,
unwept for
in the souls of sinners
and in my own sinful soul."

Beautifully written meditations and prayers for the stations of the cross.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is written and Illustrated by Caryll Houselander. I read the Liguori Publications edition of this back in 2006. It was since lent out and not returned. This year during Lent I went searching for some new editions of Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross booklets in eBook format. This was one of three I picked up during the first week of Lent, and was the third I read and prayed on the Thursday of the Second Week of Lent. I try and pray a Stations each day during Lent, and at least Fridays throughout the year. I have a few favourite versions that I return to often, and others I have only used once or twice. This one is very different. It is a series of much longer reflections or meditations upon the stations. I do not see this version being used in corporate devotions or even a small group. But it is a wonderful volume for personal reading and reflection. And it can we read in a single sitting.

I believe the first edition of this book was in 1955 and published by Sheed & Ward, Inc. The original Nihil Obstat is Herbertus Richards, S>T.L., L.S.S. and the Imprimatur was E. Morrogh Bernard. Angelico released an eBook, Hardcover and Paperback editions in 2015. Liguori has a paperback and eBook edition listed as 1971 and 2002. And there is a newer paperback from Maritino Fine Books deom late in 2021.

The Illustrations in the original edition have been restored in this Angelico Press Edition. The Ligouri version crops them to just the circles. The illustrations could easily be stations at a cross or chapel. I much prefer the uncropped versions from Angelico. The description of this edition is:

“In The Way of the Cross, Caryll Houselander accomplishes two things: first, by her imaginative re-creation of the Passion and Death of Our Lord, realized with intensity, detail, and depth, she brings a drama of anguish and tragedy to our immediate awareness; secondly, she shows us the Passion reflected in all human suffering. We can no more be detached spectators of the Passion than we can be detached spectators of the griefs and travails of the contemporary world. As Caryll Houselander writes, the part we are called to play is that of Veronica, coming forward to wipe the tears and sorrows from every stricken face we meet. And each time we have the courage and compassion to do so, we find the same image left on the veil. These profound meditations on the Stations of the Cross allow the reader to walk in the footsteps of Christ on that distant yet ever-present Good Friday.”

These meditations are much deeper, they are long and reflection, each ends with a prayer that ties the meditation to our daily lives. Each reflection is between 6 and 8 pages. The book begins with a chapter called Via Crucis, and it begins with:

“Three o’clock on a grey afternoon. Outside, a steady drizzle of rain; inside the church, an odd motley of people.

A smartly dressed woman, side by side with one who is shabby and threadbare. A boy and girl who appear to be in love. A very old man, so bowed that he is permanently in an attitude of adoration. A stalwart young soldier whose polished buttons glitter like gems in the candlelight. A couple of students, shabbily but elegantly dressed in corduroys and bright scarves, rubbing shoulders with a gaunt, round-shouldered man who looks like a tramp. A sprinkle of small children. And behind them all, as if he felt himself to be the modern Publican, though there is no reason why he should, a thickset, square-shouldered business man. And a few seconds before the priest, in come a couple of rather flustered little nuns, like birds shaking the rain off their black feathers.

What a diversity of places these people must have come from—luxury flats, tenements, small boardinghouses, institutions, barracks, studios, colleges, doss houses, schools, offices, convents. What sharp contrast there must be between their different lives and circumstances! But they seem to be strangely at one here, gathered round a crude coloured picture on the wall of the church, “The First Station of the Cross,” and it seems to come naturally to them to join together in the same prayer:

“We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.”
“Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.”

The tender rhythmic prayer that has been on the lips of men all through the ages is repeated fourteen times as they move slowly around the church, following the priest from station to station, until they reach the last of all, “Jesus Laid in the Tomb.””

This version is worth picking up even if just for this first section. It reminds us why we pray the stations and helps us go deeper into them. That chapter ends with:

“Yes, in the Stations of the Cross he who has the eye of faith sees the story of Christ’s historical Passion—His own individual story—and the story of the suffering world, in which Christ’s Passion goes on through time; the way of the cross which, though it leads to the tomb and the dark sleep of death, leads on beyond it to the waking morning of resurrection and the everlasting springtime of life.

For us, here and now, there is a more immediate and more practical meaning in those fourteen incidents on the way to Calvary. It is a showing not simply of the way of sorrows which we are all destined to walk, if we will or not, but of the way of love which heals sorrow, and which we all can take if we walk in the footsteps Christ has marked out for us, and not only imitate Him but identify ourselves with Him. The stations show us how each one can lighten the heavy cross that is laid upon the bent back of the whole human race now, how each one in the power of Christ’s love can sweeten his own suffering and that of those who are dear to him.

This is why the prayer “We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world” echoes down the centuries, not in tones of fear and reluctance but as a cry of welcome, a tender cry, in the tones of a lover’s greeting, to Him whom every man must meet on the way of sorrows, changed for him to the way of love.”

The prayer from the Seventh Station Jesus Falls the Second Time is:

“Prayer
Jesus Christ,
exhausted on the long road
to Calvary,
fallen for the second time
under the weight of the cross,
allow me to be among those
who come forward out of the crowd
to heave back the great load
that crushes You
in my even-Christian.
Do not let my hands
or my mind
or my heart
be idle,
or indifferent to
or unaware of
the conditions of life,
the difficulties
and problems,
facing those
who struggle against heavy odds
to live the Christ-life
and to share in the work
of Your love
Grant that I may never
disassociate myself from You
in the Christian
who has fallen under the burden
of Your cross,
who, worn out
by the struggle
against temptation,
against circumstances,
against public opinion
and the opinions of his own people,
is down in the dust,
crushed by the burden
of humiliation,
failure
and shame.
Give me grace
to help to lift You up
in that man,
to set him on his feet,
to help him on his way
on the road You have trodden.
And when I fall,
send me those
who will lend their hands
to lift my burden
and enable me, too,
to follow You
to Calvary.”

This volume ends with a section called About the Book, it states:

“In The Way of the Cross, Caryll Houselander accomplishes two things: first, by her imaginative re-creation of the Passion and Death of Our Lord, realized with intensity, detail, and depth, she brings a drama of anguish and tragedy to our immediate awareness; secondly, she shows us the Passion reflected in all human suffering. We can no more be detached spectators of the Passion than we can be detached spectators of the griefs and travails of the contemporary world. As Caryll Houselander writes, the part we are called to play is that of Veronica, coming forward to wipe the tears and sorrows from every stricken face we meet. And each time we have the courage and compassion to do so, we find the same image left on the veil. These profound meditations on the Stations of the Cross allow the reader to walk in the footsteps of Christ on that distant yet ever-present Good Friday.”

And that truly highlights the value of this Way. This is an excellent read, and a wonderful Lenten resource. I am certain if you pick it up, you will be blessed and challenged by the reading of this volume. The 3 versions available from Angelico Press

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Lenten read. Read then quietly meditate on a station. Come Holy Spirit.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Caryll Houselander brings her profound spiritual insights to her Catholic faith, this time meditating upon the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross. As usual, she helps us to apply these lessons in our daily lives.

In "miserably poor health for some years," as the dust jacket tells us, this book was written as the author was traveling her own way of the cross, passing away before the book was published. The 60th anniversary of her death will be marked this October 12th.

A quick read at 173 short pages or a meditative read to last a life time. Certainly a recommended Holy Week devotional or to be prayed with on First Fridays in particular. Doing the Via Crucis on your own, the prayers at the end of each chapter would be a wonderful meditation at each station.

[Rebecca Tabish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just sharing a beautiful quote from this book!

"And there from the summit of Calvary, at the foot of the cross with her dead child in her arms, Mary saw how in all the centuries to come Christ would be born again day after day, hour after hour, in the Sacred Host. She heard the multitudinous whisper of the words of consecration coming to her on Calvary from every part of the world, from every place on earth: from the great cathedrals of the world; from the little village huts that are makeshift churches; from the churches themselves, whether they were beautiful or cheap and tawdry; from the chapels and wards of hospitals; from prisons and from concentration camps; from the frozen forests of Siberia-from dawn till dusk, and from dusk till dawn, the words of consecration on the breath of men, and Jesus lifted up, as He had been lifted up on the Cross, in the Sacred Host."


The Way of the Cross by Caryll Houselander is a must read for Catholics and anyone who wants to reflect on the Passion of Christ! This book has a ton of insightful and inspiring reflections and beautiful prayers! I'm glad I read this during Lent!

[Taskgal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book by Caryll Houselander read by my parish book club. This was a perfect selection for Lent. I read it during Eucharistic Adoration which deepened my reading as I was able to pause at reflect on Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament during some very moving and inspirational passages.

Some references may seem dated to readers. This is not an issue for me. Houselander's insights into the faith are timeless. In fact, her observations are sadly still valid today about young men dying in war, etc. I would definitely recommend this book for those looking to deepen their faith and devotion to Christ Crucified. Lent is only one-half over, this book will add to your journey!

[Judith Babarsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply a beautiful book. Each chapter features a station along the Stations of the Cross. Written in language accessible to all, Houselander challenges the reader to explore the many ways in which we all crucify Christ. This is done through the author's challenges for us to reflect on our actions. While the book is not written in a way that the reader feels judged at all by Houselander, the honest reader will come away judging themselves, and, hopefully, resolving to try harder to live a good life. I read this during Lent and it's a book I plan to reread each Lent. It can be read straight through, or a chapter (Station) a day, etc. Highly recommended.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find these dramatic short chapters and prayer on each staton of the cross inspiring for reading one a day during Lent or any time.

[Sandra Cianci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabs your heart, awakens your soul

So beautiful, you actually walk with Him and all the people then and now that so need His saving grace.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the entirety of this book between noon and 3pm on Good Friday because I wasn't able to make it to Stations of the Cross. Though I didn't love it as much as I loved The Reed of God, it was the perfect book for reflecting on the Passion. Next year, I'd like to take it a bit more slowly and read it over the course of Holy Week.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the poem-prayers for each station.

[Fred Christopherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtfull, reflective, creative.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful Lenten read.

[Katherine Pettus · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book

Deeply thoughtful and spiritual. Caryll Houselander is a great teacher. I shall go back to this treasure again and again.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my book choices for Lent. I love Houselander's meditations so much, because she gives such a human and down-to-earth perspective on what are still divine mysteries. I find a great deal of comfort and satisfaction in her writing; her words are something that I can just sink down into and get lost in. These meditations on the Stations of the Cross gave me so many insights and ways to relate the different Stations to aspects of my own life and the world around me. Such as when Christ falls for the first time and how that can help us reflect on our own first stumbles and falls, of adulthood or of any new area of our lives. We are all bound to fall sooner or later, but we all must still rise and continue to carry our crosses just as Christ did, if we truly wish to be united with Him. The reflection on each station is only a few pages long and ends with a short prayer, which made the book very easy to read and a wonderful addition other Lenten practices.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read almost all of this during Holy Week and I intend to do so again every Holy Week for the rest of my life. Houselander writes so tenderly about Christ, you just can’t help being moved. Just beautiful in every way.

2nd time around: Even better than the first. I managed to actually read it it all during Holy Week, two stations per day (which happens to work out such that "nailed on the Cross" and "dies on the Cross" land on Good Friday, and "is removed from the Cross" and "is laid in the tomb" land on Holy Saturday.)

Recently I had a little struggle and as I was waiting in line for confession, feeling very disappointed in myself and looking up at the crucifix, I remembered His first fall, which Houselander describes as His complete identification with those of us who make a resolution and immediately fail right out the gate, the humiliation and weakness of it, and I was so overwhelmed by His beauty and mercy and love. Very, very good stuff.

[Jennifer Rundlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caryll Houselander is one of my favorite authors and I am so grateful she put her thoughts into words and meditations of the Cross. Her writing can be a wonderful ad to giving birth to the image of Christ in our lives. Something new a refreshing each time I read her works.

[TurtleneckGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Houselander's meditations on the Passion as a birthday gift from a dear friend. This is a book that I will cherish and turn to again and again.

[Marjorie Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy, crisp guide to the Stations of the Cross from my favorite mystical Catholic.