Easter Sunday is just the beginning of the Easter season, stretching 50 days to the feast of Pentecost. 

One way to grow spiritually during this season is by praying the Via Lucis (“Way of Light”), a recently developed Scripture-based devotion whose 14 stations complement the Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis). The list of the stations is not yet definitive, but the Via Lucis, also known as Stations of the Resurrection, focuses on the joyful, powerful and hope-filled events from Jesus’ resurrection to the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Via Lucis is among devotions highlighted by the Vatican’s Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy for Eastertide.

Via Lucis can be prayed in a variety of ways, with prayers of introduction, songs and reflections in addition to the suggested readings for each station, and then concluding with a renewal of baptismal promises. Here is the devotion in a simple form to pray at home:

Make the sign of the cross, then pray: Let us walk this pilgrimage of faith, the Via Lucis, as daughters and sons of the light and as witnesses of the Risen Lord. Let us meditate upon the resurrection of Christ and discover the pathway of light that Christ blazes through our lives.

Before each station, recite: We adore you, O Christ, in your resurrection! Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Read the station’s Scripture passage. 

Allow time for reflection, then pray the Our Father and Glory Be. 

STATIONS AND SUGGESTED READINGS

1. Jesus rises from the dead: Matthew: 28:5-6

2. The disciples discover the empty tomb: John 20:3-8

3. Christ appears to Mary Magdalene: John 20:14-18

4. Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus: Luke 24: 13-19, 25-27

5. Christ is recognized in the breaking of bread: Luke 24:28-35

6. Christ appears to the disciples: Luke 24:36-43

7. Christ gives the power to forgive sins: John 20:19-23

8. Christ strengthens the faith of Thomas: John 20: 24-29

9. Christ appears by the Lake of Tiberias: John 21:1-9, 13

10. Christ forgives Peter and entrusts him to feed his sheep: 21:15-17

11. Christ sends out the disciples into the whole world: Matthew 28:16-20

12. Christ ascends into heaven: Acts 1:6-11

13. Mary and the disciples wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:12-14

14. Christ sends the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:1-6

Sources: Diocese of Calgary, Archdiocese of Detroit, vialucis.org

Northwest Catholic - April 2021