The meditations from the Way of the Cross held at the Colosseum on Good Friday 2007 and led by Pope Benedict XVI can be found on the Vatican Web Site.
The meditations were composed by Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, Prefect of the Ambrosian Library and Gallery of Milan.
Read the meditations here
Pope Benedict XVI said at the conclusion of the Way of the Cross on Good Friday 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Following Jesus along the way of his passion we see not only Jesus’ passion but we see all those who are suffering in the world. And this is the profound intention of the prayer of the Way of the Cross, to open our hearts, to help us to see with the heart.
The Fathers of the Church considered the greatest sin of the pagan world to be their insensitivity, their hardness of heart, and they loved the prophesy of the prophet Ezekiel: “I will take away your heart of stone and will give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).
Converting to Christ, becoming Christian, meant receiving a heart of flesh, a heart sensitive to the passion and the suffering of others. Our God is not a distant God, untouchable in his blessedness. Our God has a heart, indeed a heart of flesh. He became flesh precisely to suffer with us and to be with us in our sufferings. He became man to give us a heart of flesh and to awaken in us a love for those who suffer, for those in need.
Let us pray to the Lord in this hour for all those in the world who are suffering, let us pray to the Lord that he truly give us a heart of flesh, that he make us messengers of his love not only with words but with our entire life. Amen.
A moment during the Easter Vigil, Marist Brothers “The Hermitage”, Mittagong
Picture – View from St. Joseph’s Retreat, Monte Argentario
2nd April 1722 – St. Paul of the Cross and his brother, Ven. John Baptist, arrive at Monte Argentario
4th April 1694 – Birth of Ven. John Baptist of St. Michael the Archangel, brother of St. Paul of the Cross
10th April – St. Paul of the Cross elected first Superior General of the Passionist Congregation
12th April 1727 – St. Paul of the Cross and Ven. John Baptist receive subdiaconate at St. John Latern Basilica in Rome
16th April 1755 – Father Fulgentius Pastorelli died in the Grazi House in Orbetello and is buried on Monte Argentario. He is one of the first Passionists and a faithful friend of St. Paul of the Cross
17th April 1695 – Baptismal Day of Ven. John Baptist of St. Michael the Archangel
18th April 1746 – Approval of the Passionist Rule by Pope Benedict XIV
23rd April 1719 – Confirmation Day of St. Paul of the Cross and his brother, Ven. John Baptist of St. Michael the Archangel in Castellazzo by Bishop Gattinara
Lord
increase the faith of your people
and listen to our prayers.
Today we honour Christ our triumphant King
by carrying palm branches.
May we honour you every day
by living always in him,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.
OUR PASSIONIST CHARISM 