The Foot of the Cross

by Frederick William Faber

In The Foot of the Cross the incomparable Father Faber plumbs to the depths the meaning of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows. Each one is described and analyzed with the precision of a theologian and the artistry of a poet, inciting new tenderness toward the sorrows of Our Heavenly Mother and the love of her Divine Son. Father Faber says, “We never advance more rapidly in love of the Son than when we travel by the Mother, and that what we have built most solidly in Jesus has been built with Mary. There is no time lost in seeking Him, if we go at once to Mary; for He is always there, always at home.” And again, “He who is growing in devotion to the Mother of God is growing in all good things. His time cannot be better spent; his eternity cannot be better spent; his eternity cannot be more infallibly secured. But devotion is, on the whole, more a growth of love than of reverence, though never detached from reverence. And there is nothing about Our Lady which stimulates our love more effectually than her dolors."

Genres: Catholic, Religion

406 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1855

About the author

Frederick William Faber, C.O., was a noted English hymn writer and theologian, who converted from Anglicanism to the Catholic priesthood. His best known work is Faith of Our Fathers. Though he was a Roman Catholic writing for fellow Catholics at that point, many of his hymns today are sung by Protestant congregations.