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The Way of the Cross with the Carmelite Saints
Compiled and illustrated by Sister Joseph Marie, C.H.T. (Carmelite Hermit of the Trinity).
THE CARMELITE SAINTS in their prayers and reflections reveal a deep communion with the Passion of Jesus. In the light of Christ crucified they beheld the depths of the heart of God and discovered there as well the meaning of the human heart. We cannot reach the thicket of God's riches for which we were created, Saint John of the Cross says, without peering into the thicket of his sufferings.
One of the most fruitful practices of Christian piety is known as The Way of the Cross (or Stations of the Cross), a devotion that in all probability dates back to the era of the first Christians. As practiced today, the devotion centers on fourteen chosen representations of the sufferings of Christ on his way to Calvary. Each station or stop is a place for contemplation, a moment to gaze on the sorrowful Christ who remains close to us in the mystery of human suffering. One day while making the Way of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux was seized with a forceful love of God and totally plunged in fire and sweetness. Theologians see this grace as of special importance for the transmission of her Little Way.
Now we have the opportunity to make the Way of the Cross with five inspiring Carmelite saints. Following along with them Christ in his sufferings, we see that the Passion of Christ cannot be exhausted, and these saints have always more to tell us. This is not a book to be read but once and then discarded, it is a book for a lifetime. 'The Savior today looks at us, solemnly probing us, and asks each one of Will you remain faithful to the Crucified?' (Saint Edith Stein)
THE CARMELITE SAINTS in their prayers and reflections reveal a deep communion with the Passion of Jesus. In the light of Christ crucified they beheld the depths of the heart of God and discovered there as well the meaning of the human heart. We cannot reach the thicket of God's riches for which we were created, Saint John of the Cross says, without peering into the thicket of his sufferings.
One of the most fruitful practices of Christian piety is known as The Way of the Cross (or Stations of the Cross), a devotion that in all probability dates back to the era of the first Christians. As practiced today, the devotion centers on fourteen chosen representations of the sufferings of Christ on his way to Calvary. Each station or stop is a place for contemplation, a moment to gaze on the sorrowful Christ who remains close to us in the mystery of human suffering. One day while making the Way of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux was seized with a forceful love of God and totally plunged in fire and sweetness. Theologians see this grace as of special importance for the transmission of her Little Way.
Now we have the opportunity to make the Way of the Cross with five inspiring Carmelite saints. Following along with them Christ in his sufferings, we see that the Passion of Christ cannot be exhausted, and these saints have always more to tell us. This is not a book to be read but once and then discarded, it is a book for a lifetime. 'The Savior today looks at us, solemnly probing us, and asks each one of Will you remain faithful to the Crucified?' (Saint Edith Stein)
97 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
14 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 25, 2025
I picked this volume up on recommend of a Catholic Blogger, The Curt Jester. I do not believe I have read any other works from ICS Publications, but have added a few to my wish list. And I do not believe that there are any other books currently available from Sister Joseph Marie of the Trinity, CHT. And that is a pity. The beginning of the description of the book states:
“This book offers one of the most fruitful and popular practices of Christian devotion: the Way of the Cross, or Stations of the Cross, from a Carmelite perspective. The reader has the opportunity to make the Way of the Cross with five inspiring Carmelite saints: John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) and Elizabeth of the Trinity.
In effect, the book provides five different Ways of the Cross which the reader can use for prayer. A complete set of reflections from each saint includes a brief Scripture passage, followed by a selection from the saint’s writings; footnotes identify the source document for each.”
And it is a wonderful read. I did one of the five ways each day during Holy Week this year and plan on repeating the exercise next year. The chapters in the volume are:
About The Author
The Way of the Cross with Saint John of the Cross
The Way of the Cross with Saint Teresa of Avila
The Way of the Cross with Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus
The Way of the Cross with Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
The Way of the Cross with Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity
The Institute of Carmelite Studies
This is such a wonderful version of this devotion. I see my self using this frequently in Lent’s to come but also picking it up throughout the year and praying one of the 5 options presented. A great thing about the eBook edition is that I can always have it with me. At the end of each of the Ways is a section with Notes, which contains a list of volume or volumes used and which edition. And they contain the endnotes for the 27-35 quotes in that chapter.
All 5 offerings are excellent. It I had to pick my favorite I would state The Way Of The Cross with Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. But honestly, each of them is of great value. Each of the stations has a drawing accompanying it. It is at the beginning of the station. The drawings are by the author. And the same ones are repeated for each version. A sample station from Saint John of the Cross:
“III
JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME
I was hard pressed and was falling (Psalm 118:13).
On this [narrow] road there is room only for self-denial (as our Savior asserts) and the cross. The cross is a supporting staff and greatly lightens and eases the journey.
… Not only are temporal goods and bodily delights contradictory to the path leading to God, but so also are spiritual consolations, if possessed or sought with attachment, an obstacle to the way of the cross of Christ, the Bridegroom.”
I have a few versions of the Stations of the cross I have used for years. And a couple I try and use all year round. This is another excellent volume to add to my collection. I am certain if you pick it up it will be of great benefit.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books for the Stations of the Cross.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
“This book offers one of the most fruitful and popular practices of Christian devotion: the Way of the Cross, or Stations of the Cross, from a Carmelite perspective. The reader has the opportunity to make the Way of the Cross with five inspiring Carmelite saints: John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) and Elizabeth of the Trinity.
In effect, the book provides five different Ways of the Cross which the reader can use for prayer. A complete set of reflections from each saint includes a brief Scripture passage, followed by a selection from the saint’s writings; footnotes identify the source document for each.”
And it is a wonderful read. I did one of the five ways each day during Holy Week this year and plan on repeating the exercise next year. The chapters in the volume are:
About The Author
The Way of the Cross with Saint John of the Cross
The Way of the Cross with Saint Teresa of Avila
The Way of the Cross with Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus
The Way of the Cross with Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
The Way of the Cross with Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity
The Institute of Carmelite Studies
This is such a wonderful version of this devotion. I see my self using this frequently in Lent’s to come but also picking it up throughout the year and praying one of the 5 options presented. A great thing about the eBook edition is that I can always have it with me. At the end of each of the Ways is a section with Notes, which contains a list of volume or volumes used and which edition. And they contain the endnotes for the 27-35 quotes in that chapter.
All 5 offerings are excellent. It I had to pick my favorite I would state The Way Of The Cross with Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. But honestly, each of them is of great value. Each of the stations has a drawing accompanying it. It is at the beginning of the station. The drawings are by the author. And the same ones are repeated for each version. A sample station from Saint John of the Cross:
“III
JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME
I was hard pressed and was falling (Psalm 118:13).
On this [narrow] road there is room only for self-denial (as our Savior asserts) and the cross. The cross is a supporting staff and greatly lightens and eases the journey.
… Not only are temporal goods and bodily delights contradictory to the path leading to God, but so also are spiritual consolations, if possessed or sought with attachment, an obstacle to the way of the cross of Christ, the Bridegroom.”
I have a few versions of the Stations of the cross I have used for years. And a couple I try and use all year round. This is another excellent volume to add to my collection. I am certain if you pick it up it will be of great benefit.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books for the Stations of the Cross.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
March 24, 2023
It took me a while to appreciate the importance of the annual liturgical cycle which allows the catholic-in-the-pew to go deeper each year into the Mysteries of the the Faith ... and I still have a-long-ways to go! This Lent it has been DEEPLY IMPRESSED upon my heart most strongly that Lenten practices should not be reserved for Lent, especially this one: The Way of the Cross. In fact the more I participate in this devotion, the more convinced I am of its efficacy. And whenever I have talked about it with people I have been amazed by its popularity, including among non-Catholics. When I Googled to find an explanation of the practice, I even found an Episcopalian version of the Stations. Marvelous!
The version offered here are those from the collected writings of 5 famous Carmelite saints, 3 of which are already Doctors of the Church) Sts. John of the Cross, Teresa of Jesus (or Avila) and Thérèse of Child Jesus and the Holy Face (Lisieux) and the other two, Sts. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) and Elizabeth of the Trinity, who I predict will be elevated to that title someday based on the holiness and wisdom of their writings.
These can certainly be done in the traditional manner of making the Way of the Cross in a church sanctuary, or they can be read as a beautiful personal journey with Jesus at home in days of uncertainty or by elderly and shut-ins, or by anyone just in prayerful reflection. However and wherever one encounters Him in His sorrowful walk, the important thing is to make the walk in the depth of one's heart and these mystics certainly did that and also wrote about it.
I can't think of better guides for Lent or any time of the year than these saints and here are some of their best reflections set against the 14 stations. Time for me to join them.
The version offered here are those from the collected writings of 5 famous Carmelite saints, 3 of which are already Doctors of the Church) Sts. John of the Cross, Teresa of Jesus (or Avila) and Thérèse of Child Jesus and the Holy Face (Lisieux) and the other two, Sts. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) and Elizabeth of the Trinity, who I predict will be elevated to that title someday based on the holiness and wisdom of their writings.
These can certainly be done in the traditional manner of making the Way of the Cross in a church sanctuary, or they can be read as a beautiful personal journey with Jesus at home in days of uncertainty or by elderly and shut-ins, or by anyone just in prayerful reflection. However and wherever one encounters Him in His sorrowful walk, the important thing is to make the walk in the depth of one's heart and these mystics certainly did that and also wrote about it.
I can't think of better guides for Lent or any time of the year than these saints and here are some of their best reflections set against the 14 stations. Time for me to join them.
January 31, 2024
This book literally just saved my life
April 25, 2018
Incredible short book. Highly recommend to enhance Lenten reflection, but great any time of year, particularly during times of suffering and struggles.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews