A pious exercise called the Via Lucis has developed and spread to many regions in recent years. Following the model of the Via Crucis, the faithful process while meditating on the various appearances of Jesus – from his Resurrection to his Ascension – in which he showed his glory to the disciples who awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14, 26; 16, 13-15; Lk 24, 49), strengthened their faith, brought to completion his teaching on the Kingdom and more closely defined the sacramental and hierarchical structure of the Church.
Through the Via Lucis, the faithful recall the central event of the faith – the resurrection of Christ – and their discipleship in virtue of Baptism, the paschal sacrament by which they have passed from the darkness of sin to the bright radiance of the light of grace (cf. Col 1, 13; Eph 5, 8).
For centuries the Via Crucis involved the faithful in the first moment of the Easter event, namely the Passion, and helped to fix its most important aspects in their consciousness. Analogously, the Via Lucis, when celebrated in fidelity to the Gospel text, can effectively convey a living understanding to the faithful of the second moment of the Paschal event, namely the Lord’s Resurrection.
The Via Lucis is potentially an excellent pedagogy of the faith, since “per crucem ad lucem” [through the Cross (one comes) to the light]. Using the metaphor of a journey, the Via Lucis moves from the experience of suffering, which in God’s plan is part of life, to the hope of arriving at man’s true end: liberation, joy and peace which are essentially paschal values.
The Via Lucis is a potential stimulus for the restoration of a “culture of life” which is open to the hope and certitude offered by faith, in a society often characterized by a “culture of death”, despair and nihilism.
From Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines, December 2001, no. 153.
Station I – Luke 24:1-9
The Empty Tomb – Sign of New Life.
Lord, the women became worried when they saw the empty tomb. Yet it was the first sign of your resurrection.
I get worried too when I see signs of emptiness in my own self. Yet they are only invitation to resurrection.
Station II – John 20:3-8
Peter and John – Unbelief and Belief.
The two run to the tomb. Both see the signs of Resurrection. One believes and the other not. Is faith a gift that is given or an accent of free will?
I see the signs of your presence in my life. But I don’t claim the miracle. Lord, increase my faith and let me respond to it with my free will.
Station III – John 20:11-18a
Mary Magdalene – Shedding away prejudices.
She could not recognise you because your appearance was beyond her expectations.
I too fail to recognise you because of my own limiting expectations, my prejudices. Help me hear you call me by my name. Grant me the grace to cling to you.
Station IV – Luke 24:13-27
The Disciples on the Road – Lost in self-hood
Lord, you walked by their side and they recognised you not. They were lost in their own interpretation of history.
You walk by my side and I recognise you not. I know you patiently instruct my heart. You help me see meaning in my life history. You accompany me to the moment of grace.
Station V – Luke 24:28-35
Breaking of bread – the real presence.
Lord, the disciples recognised you at the breaking of the bread.
Help me recognise you in the Word that is broken and the Bread that is shared – the Eucharist.
Station VI – Luke 24:36-43
Appearance to the Apostles – the gift of peace.
Lord, ‘Peace be with you’ was your greeting to the apostles. They needed the peace of your reassuring presence to chase away the fears caused by your absence.
I have fears too. Help me hear your greeting of peace. Peace that is a fruit of your presence.
Station VII – John 20:21-23
Empowered to forgive – Outcome of Easter Experience
Lord, as the apostles experience you as the Risen Lord, they experience an inner peace. This peace makes it possible for them to forgive. They are empowered from within. They become signs of reconciliation in the world.
I beg to experience you as the Risen Lord. I know, I will be empowered. I desire to be a sign of peace.
Station VIII – John 20:24-29
Experience of Thomas – craving for personal experience.
Thomas did not want to be satisfied by second-hand information. He wanted a personal experience.
You respected that and granted his wish.
Yet you challenge him: Blessed are those who believe without seeing.
Lord I want to experience you as ‘My Lord and My God.” Would you invite me to touch your holy wounds.
But until then I do believe because of the Good News that I have heard.
Station IX – John 21:1-14
Jesus appears again – Revisiting God experience
The apostles have seen you yet they are in doubt. Human condition overpowers divine gift of faith. You are patient. You eat amidst them. You are not a ghost. Resurrection experience is not just one event.
Lord, help me move from the event of Resurrection to the experience of you as the Lord. I take for granted that I know. I miss the point. Thank you Lord for being patient with me.
Station X – John 21:15-17
Peter – human love vs. divine love
Peter’s ‘human’ love (philos) for you can never match your ‘divine’ self-giving love (agapos) for him. Yet you entrust him with the mission to lead your church.
Lord, you know I love you. You know too how limited my love is. Yet you entrust me with your mission. Thank you, Lord.
Station XI – Mark 16:15-18
Sending out the Apostles – Herald of Good News
No one who has experienced you can stay as they are. Your experience is a gift to be shared. So you send out the apostles to the ends of the earth.
You send me too to the street corners, to the school, to the neighbourhood, to my place of work. Help me be a herald of the Good News that I have heard, seen and touched.
Station XII – Lk 24:50-51; Acts 1:10-11
Ascension – I am with you.
You leave us not as orphans. We need to believe in your promises. They will come true in your time.
Lord, I feel your absence so often in my life. It is only because I forget your promise: “I am with you till the end of time.”
Station XIII – Acts 1:12-14
Waiting – In His time.
The apostles wait with Mary in the upper-room praying to recognise the gift of your Spirit.
Give me the gift of perseverance in prayer. I need to wait even in moments of desolation and dryness. You reveal yourself to me in Your time.
Help me recognise the presence of your Spirit!
Station XIV – Acts 2:1-12
Pentecost – Sign of unity
On the day of your Resurrection you blew over them and they received your Spirit. But on the day of Pentecost the Spirit descends powerfully.
I know you blew over me your Spirit on the day of baptism.
But I too wait for the powerful outpouring of your Spirit. When it does happen, help me be a sign of unity, witnessing to your Resurrection.