To pray and reflect on the passion and crucifixion of Jesus
Published : 03/02/2021 12:58:10
Categories : News
We have published two small aids to pray and reflect on the meaning of the passion and crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus on Good Friday.
We present them.
"Via Crucis. Via della preghiera. Meditazioni dai testi di Papa Francesco" edited by Luciano Marotta is a text punctuated by the Word of God and the meditations of Pope Francis. During this time of pandemic Pope Francis gave a series of catechesis on the value of prayer: 'Prayer is the breath of faith, it is its most proper expression' (General Audience, 6 May 2020). This led the editor to relocate the Pontiff's words to a "spiritual practice deeply rooted in the Church's traditional piety: the Way of the Cross" (p. 3). A booklet designed for the youngest and for all the faithful who wish to encounter Jesus in prayer, recognising in Him not only the Lord and Master but also the travelling companion of their lives. It is certainly a text that can also be of comfort and support for the sick, so that through their pain they may recognise themselves in Jesus and enter into communion with Him through prayer, and so that they may face their suffering with courage, embracing their daily cross. Finally, it is a useful text for educators and catechists who are called to help the children entrusted to them to live with Jesus in their hearts, laying a solid foundation for their human and Christian formation.
"Via Crucis. Meditazioni con 14 tele di pittori contemporanei" by Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri is a meditation aid enriched by the presence of evocative images that narrate the passion and love of Jesus. There are 14 works by 14 different contemporary painters in the Chapel of Saints Hippolytus and Cassian in the Badia di Carigi, Casa Ilaria, Montefoscoli (Palaia - Pisa). Casa Ilaria is a very old monastic site, its tradition and connection with various religious orders, the presence of a church and the climate of serenity and hospitality make it favourable to the realisation of spiritual paths, retreats and moments of prayer. The text has a Preface signed by Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri and an Introduction signed by Monsignor Maurizio Gronchi, Professor of Christology at the Pontifical Urbanian University - Rome. The comments on each work are by the art critic Riccardo Ferrucci and the photos by Nicola Gronchi.
