While pilgrimaging in Israel and Italy in 2019, I followed the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, a processional route symbolizing the actual path Jesus walked to Calvary. Catholic churches typically display images of this path around the church so parishioners may walk and pray while meditating on Jesus’ Passion. I’ve walked this many times in churches, and it’s always meaningful. However, it’s nothing like walking the actual path in Jerusalem.
Following are photos from my pilgrimage in regard to the Stations of the Cross. When looking at the tree with thorns, notice how long those terrifying spikes are and remember that they were formed into a wreath and pressed into Jesus’ skull.
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We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
Jesus is Condemned to Death
(Site Where Jesus Was Condemned to Death. Jerusalem)
(Thorns as Used in Jesus’ Crown, Jerusalem)
2. Jesus Carries His Cross
(Via Dolorosa. The Path Jesus Walked to His Crucifixion)
3. Jesus Falls the First Time.
(Location Where Jesus Fell the First Time. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem)
4. Jesus Meets his Mother Mary
(Location of the Fourth Station of the Cross, Where Jesus Met His Mother. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem)
5. Simon Helps Jesus
(Site Where Simon Helped Jesus Carry His Cross. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem)
6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
(A Woman Wiped Jesus’ Blood and Sweat from His Face. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem)
7. Jesus Falls the Second Time
(Jesus Fell a Second Time on This Site. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem)
8. Jesus Comforts the Women of Jerusalem
(Jesus Comforted the Women on His Way to the Cross. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem)
9. Jesus Falls the Third Time
(Jesus Fell Three Times. Image in the Church of Condemnation. Jerusalem)
10. Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
(Before Jesus Was Crucified, He Was Stripped of His Garments. Jerusalem)
11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
(Jesus Was Nailed to a Cross. Jerusalem)
12. Jesus Dies on the Cross
(Alter Over Site of Jesus’ Crucifixion. Jerusalem)
13. Jesus is Taken Down form the Cross
(Pieta, Vatican, Italy)
14. Jesus is Buried
(Stone of Anointing Where Jesus’ Body Was Prepared for Burial. Jerusalem)
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Meditate on Christ’s Passion with the book, The Rosary Prayer by Prayer, available from Amazon and ACTA Publications.