St. Gertruda

Gertrude, Abbess of Gertrude

CURRICULUM VITAE

She was the daughter of Pepin of Landen and Itta. Following her father’s death, her widowed mother established a monastery in Nivelles. Gertrude entered it with her mother and became an abbess. With great zeal, conscientiousness, and love, Gertrude led the sisters in their strict observance of the rule. She lived ascetically and performed works of mercy. She died at the age of 33, having spent about 19 years leading an exhausting religious life..

CV FOR MEDITATION

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH PERFECT LOVE

She was born in 626 in Landen, in the southern part of the province of Brabant. Her father, Pepin, was a majordomo (royal administrator) in eastern France. At a banquet attended by King Dagobert, the young Gertrude was asked for her hand in marriage. She told the king that she did not want a husband because she was already engaged to Christ and intended to belong to him alone.

Following her father’s death in 639, her widowed mother, Ita, founded a monastery for monks and nuns in Nivelles, now part of Belgium. Gertrude entered it at the age of fourteen. Gertrude became the first abbess, leading the young sisters with great zeal, conscientiousness, and love to strictly observe religious discipline. Gertrude enjoyed serving the elders and was hospitable to pilgrims, and the abbey became a base for missionary work by Irish monks.

After Ita’s death, she entrusted some of the monastery’s external affairs to neighboring monks and herself set about acquiring theological knowledge. She focused too much on the intellectual side, to the point that she became pensive and lost interest in prayer and meditation. However, a person who surrenders to God is not left without help. A voice spoke within her: “You will not know God by pondering and reasoning, because He is higher than reason and all human knowledge. You will know Him and approach Him only through perfect love.”

Gertrude listened to that voice, abandoned reason, and focused on making all her actions love. She continued her ascetic life of self-denial and fasting, and in contemplative prayers full of intimate communion with God. She did not neglect the works of mercy or the spiritual growth of the entire community.

She viewed life as short but important for the future. She saw it as a day full of work and hardship, for which she would be rewarded in eternity. Her life was cut short at the age of 33 due to exhaustion. Over the last three years of her life, her niece Viltruda had taken over her leadership role. According to her wishes, she was buried in penitential robes and a coarse veil.

According to legend, Gertrude once saved her country’s harvest from a plague of mice and rats through prayer. Consequently, mice became her distinctive attribute. It is said that, when a collection was organised for her tomb in Cologne, contributions in the form of gold and silver mice were received.

RESOLUTION, PRAYER

I will strive to ensure that all my actions, especially today, are guided by love.

God, you have revealed to us that loving our neighbour is the fulfillment of all your commandments. Help us to follow the example of Saint Gertrude and fill our actions with love so that we may enter your kingdom through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever.

Christ tells the royal official, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” Do we only believe because of miracles and wonders, or do we have greater faith in God and his Son? In my opinion, having trust in God and his actions is the fundamental building block of faith for each of us. We know that he is with us and knows our every step. Even though we often do not receive the answers and signs we desire straight away, we believe that God is thinking of us and that he has a plan for us which we will discover when the time is right.

During our time on Earth, we face many obstacles that we must overcome with God’s help. Sometimes the path is so difficult that we feel abandoned by God, as if He no longer loves us, and we lose trust in Him. Why doesn’t He give us a sign that He is with us when we need Him the most? Why doesn’t he listen to us when we’re at a crossroads? Have we become worthless to Him?

We don’t always realise it, but God is with us every minute of every day. He is our Father, giving us the strength to breathe, walk, exist and, most importantly, live. Every day, he lovingly leads us by the hand and calls us to him. He has already proven his love for us by sending his son into the world. He sacrificed himself on the cross and saved all of humanity through his resurrection. Just as the official from Capernaum wanted his son to live and be healthy, God our Father wants us, his children, to live with him forever in the Kingdom of Heaven.

During Lent, we have the opportunity to reflect on our thoughts and experiences, both personally and in relation to God. Let us give Him the opportunity to accompany us through this period and open our hearts to Him. If we do this, we will not regret it. God has proven time and again that he is the almighty Lord of heaven and earth, and that he cares about us. If we trust in Him, we will be rewarded, as Christ told the Apostle Thomas: ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

However, alongside the changes in history and the evolving sensibilities of young people, there are God-given gifts that remain everlasting and possess a transcendent power: the living and effective Word of God; the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which nourishes us; and the sacrament of reconciliation, which frees and strengthens us. The Church also preserves an inexhaustible spiritual wealth in the witness of her saints and the teachings of outstanding spiritual teachers. Although we must respect the different stages of growth and sometimes wait patiently for the right moment, we must invite young people to these sources of new life. We have no right to deny them such great blessings (Christus vivit, paragraph 229).

Prayer: O God, in your ineffable goodness, you provide us with the means of salvation and constantly renew us. Guide your Church so that the work of your grace may bear fruit in her, and grant her what she needs on her journey to you. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

St. Matilda

Mathilda

CURRICULUM VITAE

She was the wife of the East Franconian King Henry I and the mother of Otto, who became the first emperor of that name. As a queen, she remained modest, and with her silence, patience, and love, she refined her husband’s harsh nature. She cared for the poor, helped the sick, and begged for mercy for prisoners. As a queen, she was deeply troubled that her sons quarreled among themselves over dynastic rivalry. After her father’s death, they reproached her for squandering the family fortune through her generosity. They also confiscated her dowry, which was her estate. She sank to the level of the poorest; she did not reproach herself for anything; she only prayed for her sons to improve. Her tears had an effect, and her prayers were answered. Her sons came to apologize to her with repentance.

CV FOR MEDITATION

THE FUNCTION OF A CHRISTIAN WIFE AND MOTHER

She was the daughter of Count Dietrich of Ringelheim of Saxony. She was born in Engern around 895. She spent her youth in the Herford Monastery in Westphalia, where she was raised under the supervision of her grandmother, also Matilda, who was abbess there. She acquired the piety and virtues necessary for her later life, which would later influence her role as a supportive wife and mother in the noble family she married into. In 913, she married Henry, son of Duke Otto of Saxony. As a wedding gift, she was given the town of Valhausen with its appurtenances.

Six years later, her husband, Henry I the Bird, was elevated to King of East Francia. Matilda softened and refined his harsh, domineering nature and, with her piety, quietness, and love, contributed to a beautiful marriage in which she had three sons: Otto, Henry, and Bruno, who became Archbishop of Cologne in 953, and a daughter, Gerberg. Some biographies mention two daughters.

When Henry I was dying after 23 years of marriage, he praised his wife in front of everyone and thanked her for giving him wise advice, taming his anger, turning him away from injustice, and teaching him mercy. He also thanked her for raising his children and entrusted them all to God. After his death, Matilda had a mass celebrated for him immediately. When her sons began to argue about the royal dignity, she said to them, “Look at your father and remember that all human glory is fleeting.

Matilda did make one mistake in her upbringing. She was more inclined towards her son Henry, and she wished him the throne, even though her firstborn Otto was called to it. This inclination had bad consequences. After Otto’s coronation in Aachen, Henry raised a rebellion against him, which was suppressed after fighting. Finally, Matilda managed to reconcile them with the help of prayers, but, incited by the courtiers, they became biased against her. Matilda still had a free hand in deeds of mercy and generous donations to the church. However, the courtiers accused her of giving away much of her property to people experiencing poverty and to monasteries. Whereupon her reconciled sons took away her estates, and Matilda, saddened by ingratitude, withdrew to her birthplace to live in seclusion in poverty and humility. She overcame grievances with peace and overcame anger with silence and prayer. She remained kind, knowing how easy it is to fan a small flame of anger into the destructive fire of greater sins. She set a good example.

King Otto recognized that God’s blessing had also left with his mother, and he heard the calls to call her back. He therefore acknowledged his mistake and sent her a message asking her to return with him. He and his brother, Henry, then rode to meet her, knelt before her, and asked for forgiveness. She embraced them with tears and said that if she had not deserved this trial because of her sinfulness, God would not have allowed her. She then continued to live with her sons in love and harmony.

In 955, her son Henry died, and she again completely died to the world, praying without ceasing and zealously performing works of Christian love. On weekdays, she diligently did manual labor so that, as she said, she would not eat bread in vain. On holidays, she reads religious books.

With the help of her husband and son, she founded several monasteries. She devoted the greatest interest and care to the monastery in Quedlinburg, where her husband was buried and where she also wanted to end her earthly pilgrimage.

She saw her son Otto I for the last time in 965, when he was returning from Rome to visit his brother Bruno in his archbishopric. There, he also met his sister, the Queen of West Francia. From there, Matilda took Otto to her newly founded monastery of Nordhausen near Erfurt. After the Holy Mass, they said goodbye at the monastery gate, and Matilda went to kiss the place where her son had prayed in gratitude. He then heard about it, and his mother’s love had a significant influence on him.

Matilda, foreseeing her death, returned to the convent of Quedlinburg in Anhalt and there received the sacrament of the sick from the hands of her grandson William. She had herself lain on the ground on a sackcloth robe and sprinkled ashes on her head as a sign of penance. Thus, she died and was buried beside her husband.

RESOLUTION, PRAYER

How important it is to lead children to the virtues necessary for life and not to withhold any. Whoever has children at home, let him resolve to remember this. If I belong to the others, I will pray for the education in other families. This is necessary for the whole Church and the whole world.

O God, who gave your servant Matilda the right knowledge and filled her with your love, we beseech you: fill us with these gifts of yours, that we may serve you with a sincere heart like her and bear witness to you by our faith and life. Through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end.

What is the first commandment? Asking oneself this question is a sign of intelligence. What is more important, and what is less important, in everything you do? Good students ask themselves these questions when preparing for exams. Sensible politicians, educators, and workers also do the same. Thus, even in moral life, certain duties are fundamental and applicable to everyone. Christians honor that love comes first. This is why they honored martyrs in the early days — their deaths were expressions of love “greater than which no one has” (cf. John 15:13). St Irenaeus of Lyons was a staunch opponent of the Gnostics, who considered knowledge to be the most important virtue. As he wrote, knowing much honored ascetic exercise, fasting, and self-mortification would be futile without love. In his ‘Religious Center ‘, Theodoret of Cyrus describes the harsh life of the Syrian monks, adding that the only reason for all this rigour is love.

What we love is at the centre of our interests. For someone who is not a true saint, the challenge to love God more than anything else seems impossible. This objection is reflected in the subtle irony of a national song: ‘If I loved God as I love you, I would have been a saint long ago, like the angels from heaven.’ A strict preacher of morals would label this amorous sigh as blasphemous. And yet life is different,exerciseCenter’ or worse. Most people love anything other than God with emotional enthusiasm. Fortunately, however, even those who are head over heels in love have not lost their minds so much that they cannot prioritise God’s law over their ‘love’ for something else if the two come into conflict. On public transport, priority is given to the main road or to the car driving on the right. Figuratively speaking, God enters our lives from the right; his laws are the main roads. Therefore, they take precedence over all other interests, even if we rush elsewhere, as adhering to God’s laws helps us prioritize our moral responsibilities over personal desires. Great Theodore God’s laws ensure that we align our actions with a higher moral standard that benefits the community as a whole.

Love unites us all. A mother is delighted when her child praises her. Her son’s success is her success too, because it is hers. The history of the Old Testament provides a beautiful example of similar delight in God. The glory of the Lord was synonymous with the Jewish army’s victory and strength. How often does the exclamation occur here: ‘The Lord, our God!’ They felt God was truly theirs. We should adopt this mindset so that we can rejoice in all of God’s kingdom’s successes and feel pain at all its failures, as if they were our own. Showing goodwill towards a friend means always being willing to do anything for them whenever they need something. God does not need anything from us in the true sense of the word. The only thing that can inspire this attitude is the external glory of God and the realization of God’s kingdom on earth. For this purpose, he sends people. Those who love Him respond to God’s command with the words of Isaiah: ‘Here am I, send me!’ (Is 6:8).

When we read the opening sentence of the Gospel, we might ask ourselves: Why does Jesus cast out an evil spirit? Is it because of the mute man? Or is it to show the onlookers a miracle so that they will believe in him? However, I would like to focus on what followed. Those who witnessed the event reacted in two ways. The evangelist Luke tells us that some of the crowd were amazed. Matthew clarifies the crowd’s speech: ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’”

But Jesus’ opponents also speak out. Some demand a sign from heaven. They were not interested in Jesus; they wanted to tempt him. Their behavior resembled that of the devil in the desert. If they really wanted to believe, what they had just seen would have been enough. But Jesus does not try to make them believe with another miracle. God calls us to believe, not forces us.

Others of the opponents claimed that he casts out evil spirits by Beelzebub, the prince of demons. They could not question his works, which they themselves had seen, so they claimed that they came from someone other than God. Jesus responded to their words with calm logic. Why would Beelzebub cast out evil spirits and weaken that over which he had gained power? He would be against himself. And if that is the case, the kingdom of the Evil One will not stand. He concludes his argument by asking by whose power their sons cast out evil spirits. But Jesus does not end by refuting their claims. He also tries to direct his opponents to the good news that the kingdom of God has already come.

In conclusion, Jesus tells a mini-parable. We can put ourselves in the place of the strong man of the devil, as a treasure of ourselves, and as a conqueror of Jesus Christ. In many places in the Bible, the devil is spoken of as the ruler of this world, meaning the world of sin. However, with Jesus’ death on the cross, the devil is defeated, and we belong only to God. The lyrics of the song Clap Your Hands More come to mind: “He will now disarm the princes of the earth, and then he will reign.”

At the very end, Jesus says the phrase, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters!” You might wonder if it would not be nicer to say, “He who is not against me is with me.” Such a phrase would speak of mercy. But Jesus does not mean it that way. He is pointing out two sides here, good and evil. And that is why he says these words, in which case neutrality or another direction is not possible, as one must choose to align with either good or evil in their actions and beliefs. In this story, even though it may seem gloomy at first glance, Jesus gives us hope for the kingdom of God and encourages us to follow it. And not only will the kingdom of God come, but it is already among us.

Young people also carry the wounds of fate, failure, and sad memories deeply imprinted on their souls. “These wounds originate in life’s losses, in frustration at unfulfilled desires, in experiences of discrimination, and in the feeling of not being loved or recognized.” “Furthermore, they are moral wounds, the weight of one’s own mistakes, feelings of guilt for failure.” In these crosses of young people, Jesus is present to offer them his friendship, relief, healing closeness, and the Church wants to be his instrument on this journey towards inner healing and peace of heart.

Prayer: We humbly beseech you, O God, that we may ever more deeply penetrate the Paschal mystery, that we may celebrate the approaching feast of our redemption with true piety. We ask this favor through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. 

“Pedagogue to Christ” (cf. Gal 3:24) ▪ The content of the Old Testament is schematically summarized in two words: Law and Prophets. All events of Jewish history have a prophetic character, pointing to the future, with the expected New Testament significance. The attitude of Christians was different when it came to the regulations of the Mosaic Law. Already in the Acts of the Apostles, we read St. Peter’s statement that these norms no longer bind Christians. They served as preparation for the coming of Christ. However, the latter debate was intriguing. Christians were no longer just converted Jews, but the majority of them came from a pagan background. Did God not prepare you to come to Christ? The Alexandrian intellectual Clement, the author of many writings, took a position in favor of the pagans. He came from Greek culture and knew that there was much that was beautiful and true there, too. He declared that Plato was to the Greeks what Moses was to the Jews, an educator of Christ. Today, we gladly adopt his idea in a missionary and ecumenical spirit, recognizing that this approach encourages dialogue and understanding among different cultures and faiths. We try to appreciate all good wherever it is found, because everything leads to Christ in the hands of God’s providence.

Christian development
What happens in the development of the world also affects the development of each esthetic, as societal changes and cultural shifts influence personal growth and the understanding of faith. Each of us goes through various stages. Each of us begins with the Old Testament and gradually moves on to the New Testament. Kierkegaard distinguished three phases in the religious development of humans: the aesthetic, the moral, and the religious period in the true sense of the word. Initially, we are attracted to the church by an “aesthetic” feeling. We see something different there, something that sets it apart from everyday life, and this attracts us. Over time, however, we discover that singing, reading, and liturgical life are not the most important things; we realise that we need to change ourselves, keep God’s commandments, and become morally blameless. However, even this stage cannot be the final one; otherwise, we risk becoming Pharisees. In the third stage, a person seeks intimate contact with God through prayer. Christians believe that this can only be achieved through Christ and in Christ. Thus, the previous stages have reached their goal and have not been realizelled,’ and man has reached ‘the full measure of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:13).

Opening prayer

We are once again setting out on the difficult path to the Cross of Christ. We often measure and compare it in our minds. Perhaps we already know all the stops by heart; we have heard all sorts of reflections, and yet this path constantly captivates us with something, stops us, and asks us: “Don’t you judge yourself?” How did you accept your cross? Do you meet your mother? Does anyone help you? But do you help yourself too? Have you also been deprived of many things in life? Do you also fall? And have you learned to forgive?… However, the Way of the Cross is not only full of questions but also answers; it is a kind of examination of conscience, the conscience that we would sometimes prefer not to hear. Despite everything that is in us at this moment, let us embark on this path and notice not only Christ, but also ourselves, where we would be at that moment, and what we would or would not be able to do. First, however, let us ask him with those familiar words:

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also over the souls in purgatory.

1st Station – The Lord Jesus is condemned to death

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For you have redeemed the world by your cross.

We know how this trial ended – the judge failed, and the accused died. But let us now briefly try to relive this trial and allow Pilate to ask us the same question he asked then: “What accusation do you bring against this man?” (John 18:29). I think that even today, thousands of accusations would be made against Jesus: Where were you when my child was dying? Why did you not listen to me when I begged you so much? Explain to me how you can look at so much suffering in the world and do nothing about it?… And to this long list of human accusations, Pilate would add his famous last question: “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” (Matthew 27:13). And what about Jesus? Just as he did then, he would remain silent now. But it is precisely Jesus’ silence that scares us. What if it is all different from what we think? What if someone else is supposed to sit on the dock? Are we not judging the righteous? Might we truly consider subjecting him to such harsh treatment once more? Or would we rather wash our hands of him and have nothing more to do with him? In life, we will find ourselves in similar trials many times, where man will be the judge and Christ the defendant. Are we ready to be his defender or accuser? Jesus, you yourself once said that when they judge us for your name, we should not worry about what we will say at that moment, because it will no longer be we who speak, but the Spirit of our Father who speaks in us (cf. Mt 10:19-20). Strengthen our faith, then, at the moment when we will have to confess you before the world.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

2nd Station – The Lord Jesus takes up the cross on his shoulders.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For by your cross you have redeemed the world.

After Jesus was led from the government building to be scourged and humiliated, they placed the cross on his shoulders. The Apostle John reminds us that “he himself carried the cross” (John 19:17). Only now did the true journey of the cross begin. He carried the instrument of torture and execution. However, one could say that at that moment, he carried death on his shoulders on Calvary. At that time, almost no one suspected that it would not be Jesus who would end, but death. Death would be destroyed forever. Or as the Church of the East sings: Christ has conquered death by death! Thus, the cross became not only a sign of victory, but also a sign of salvation for all. Therefore, if you have the cross, you have a sign of salvation. If you bear the cross, you carry the sign of salvation. If you take up the cross, you take upon yourself the sign of salvation. Do not give up on him, for only in this sign will you triumph. Jesus, I ask you for strength not only for the crosses of today, but also for tomorrow.
on
V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

3rd Station – The Lord Jesus falls under the cross for the first time.

V. We worship you, Christ, and we bless you.
R. For you redeemed the world with your cross.

This first fall was to be expected. The legs buckled, and the heavy wood of the cross of Jesus dragged him to the ground. No matter how we imagine this fall, it was certainly the most difficult moment on the way to Calvary. But was it only a “moment”? Who knows how long that moment of the first fall lasted?! What did it cause? How many new blows did it provoke with the whip, add kicks, and with quick, insensitive touches did it lift the wood with the beaten man? And what do I experience at the moment of falling into sin? Does it hurt me? In that moment, the same thing is triggered that was at the time of Christ’s fall: a multitude of excruciating remorse is provoked that torments a person, literally whips him, and insensitively drives him somewhere further… At this pause, Jesus, please forgive me those sins that can very quickly break my knees and make the cross even heavier. Forgive me these sins!

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

4th Station – Jesus meets his mother.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For by your cross you have redeemed the world.

All four Gospels are silent about this encounter between Jesus and his mother on the Way of the Cross. However, the logic of love says that in this procession of death and life, the one who stood by him, not only when he came into the world, but also when he left it, could not be absent. And finally, what human hand could describe what a mother experiences when she loses her child and what a child experiences when they are not allowed to be with their mother?! Even the most sensitive words are not very sensitive, and even the most carefully chosen sentences cannot capture this moment of pause on the Way of the Cross, where the mouths remained silent and only the eyes and hearts spoke. This moment from the Way of the Cross emphasizes how important the encounters are between those who give life and those to whom they have given it. Parents and children. Let us have mutual respect for one another, because as the Old Testament book of Sirach reminds us: “He who honors his mother acts as if he were storing up treasures. He who honors his father will find joy in his children and will always be heard when he prays” (Sir 3:5-6).

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

5th Station – Simon of Cyrene helps the Lord Jesus carry the cross.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For by your cross you have redeemed the world.

Many have noticed this help from the man from Cyrene. However, the evangelist Mark made even more effort and discovered that the “man returning from the field” was a husband and father of two sons, whom he named Alexander and Rufus. Perhaps you—wives—can best imagine what a wife goes through when her husband does not come home from work for a long time… The first question that immediately comes to mind is, did something bad happen to him? Who knows what Simon was talking about at home when he finally entered his house after these difficult moments? What would we say if we experienced something similar? And yet we have already had the opportunity to experience something like this in our lives. After all, haven’t we also had to change our plans and our paths because of someone? Or haven’t circumstances forced us to do something completely different in life than we wanted to do? Just as Simon of Cyrene had no idea who he was helping, we did not realize that, in that moment, we had actually changed our plan according to God’s plan: we did not do what we wanted, but what God wanted of us. Lord, remind us of this man of Cyrene at the very moments when we want to quicken our steps, so that we do not see the one who needs something from us.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

6th Station – Veronica gives the Lord Jesus a towel.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For you have redeemed the world with your cross.

This woman’s deed was so insignificant that almost no one noticed it. If this Veronica were to declare herself the heavenly patroness of someone, she would certainly become the patroness of all those who do small, inconspicuous, good deeds, but with great love. For God notices and rewards every good deed. Not even the smallest is forgotten. For “God himself looks upon him who does good, remembers him in the future, and finds support when his downfall comes,” says the Old Testament writer Sirach (Sir 3:34). Lord Jesus! Just as you have not forgotten this insignificant act of love, you do not forget our deeds either. Grant that we may always think that whatever we do, even to the least, we do it as if we had done it to you.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also over the souls in purgatory.

7th Station – The Lord Jesus falls a second time under the cross.

V. We adore you, Christ, and we bless you.
R. For you redeemed the world with your cross.

Falling again. He could not do it again. The earth drew him closer to himself more powerfully than heaven. But even at this moment, Jesus did not want to stop thinking about heaven. He had to get up, pick himself up once more, and reach the Golgotha ​​of the world, so that from there he could open heaven for all. There is a great lesson in this pause: If you have fallen again, get up! If you fall again, get up again! If you keep falling, you must keep getting up! Heaven is for rising from sin, not for falling. You will gain heaven only if you get up. Lord Jesus, stand by those who cannot stand. Support those who keep falling, so that despite their weakness, they do not lose the final goal of their life’s journey—heaven.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

8th Station – The Lord Jesus rebukes the weeping women.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For you have redeemed the world by your cross.

Who knows how many women have been able to express their compassion for the Son of Man in this way? It would be good for us too if someone could sympathize with us; even if compassion does not heal wounds, it only softens them. However, Jesus does not accept this soothing remedy for wounds either, but directs his attention to where wounds can arise: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but for yourselves and for your children” (Lk 23:28). Jesus did not want us to feel sorry for him simply, but rather to feel sorry for what causes him much greater pain, which is our sin. Each of us knows very well the birthplace of our sin: we know where it is born, where it grows, and where it overcomes us. This is the real place of weeping. Lord Jesus, let me always think of the real cause of your pain.

V. Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

9th Station – The Lord Jesus falls under the cross for the third time.

V. We adore you, Christ, and we bless you.
R. For with your cross, you have redeemed the world.

And again on earth. With your face to the ground, as if to give a “last kiss” to this earth that can no longer wait for his blood. Despite the cruel pain, despite the weak legs, despite the weakened arms, despite the thorns pressed into his head, that is, despite everything that is against him, he must rise, he must not stay; this is not yet the end of this bloody journey, even though everything already indicates it. How many such situations in a person’s life would very much like to convince us to give up and not to make any more efforts, even not even to try – an incurable illness, a life disappointment, a failure, or the death of someone very close to us… We think of this stoppage, which was far from the last. Let us be able to move on, even if it is sometimes with our last strength.

V. Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

10th Station – The Lord Jesus is stripped of his clothes.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For by your cross you have redeemed the world.

They have stripped him. Now they have stripped him not only of the cross, but of everything he still wore. They have humiliated him before the eyes of all, before those who admired him, and before those who hated him. Such is the man without form and face… The prophet Jeremiah wrote about him long ago. But he humbly accepted it, he also accepted this public disgrace. Do we still want to be like Christ? Can we endure shame and humiliation for Christ? Do we want to be like him even in the humble impoverishment of losing everything? Our way of the cross will one day deprive us of everything. It will strip us of everything: our position, our respect, our health, our ranks, our plans… It will leave us nothing. Almost nothing. But we should never let ourselves be stripped of one thing: our faith in God! Let us pray for this one thing, that we may never lose this gift of God.

V. Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

11th Station – The Lord Jesus is nailed to the cross.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For with your cross, you have redeemed the world.

A halt that is very difficult to look at. A halt in which even the last shred of humanity is lost. A halt that stops a person’s breath. It is the true halt of the Way of the Cross. Jesus’ hands and feet have stopped. They are alive, but they do not move. They are ready to die, but first they must bleed to death. A cruel pain about which it is very difficult to say or write anything meaningful. Jesus, we are here before you, and we try to reflect on what you were experiencing at that time. We will never fully understand it, even if we stood at this halt all day. In this, we are your debtors. We beg you, may we not be nails in your hands and feet, but those who can at least slightly alleviate your pain in our brothers and sisters.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also over the souls in purgatory.

12th Station – Jesus dies on the cross.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For you have redeemed the world by your cross.

For three hours, he hung like this on the wood of the cross between heaven and earth. As if for a moment, he belonged neither to earth nor to heaven. Three hours of complete rejection and humiliation. Three hours of struggle with pain and approaching death. However, during these three hours, he cares for his mother and the youngest apostle, opens heaven to the repentant criminal on the cross, asks the Father for forgiveness for all, and gives up his spirit to the Father. Although it seems that he could do nothing more, he did a great deal. Not even the nails prevented forgiveness. This is a great lesson from the cross. Forgiveness can always be given, even on the cross. Therefore, it should not only be an act of God but also of man. After all, Christ was not only true God, but also true man. Surely he himself best remembered the words he said to Peter: “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Even on the cross. On any cross, especially the one others have put us on.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Even on the souls in purgatory.

13th Station – The Lord Jesus is taken down from the cross.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For with your cross, you have redeemed the world.

They took down the battered and nailed body of Jesus. This was a moment without pain. However, those who stood around him felt the pain: his mother Mary, his mother’s sister, John, Mary Magdalene, Salome, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea… But there were also those who, with Jesus’ last breath, also breathed deeply. It was as if a stone had fallen from their hearts. However, they had no idea that the real stone would fall in just a few days, and they would have to breathe in his presence again. Even at this very moment, many in this world are being taken down from their crosses. Incurable illnesses and cruel pains tormented them, but also wounds that no one saw, because they ached in secret, somewhere in the heart. This pause is full of silent pain. It is for those who make others out of the crosses of life to reflect on who among them actually suffered and completed in their own body what was still lacking in the suffering of Christ.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

14th Station – The Lord Jesus is buried.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. For you have redeemed the world with your cross.

Everything will eventually end in the grave. Only one who sees no further than the earth can speak like this. Jesus’ empty tomb is twofold news for us: good and bad. Good news for those who not only believed in him, but also lived in such a way that they could meet him and take the place that he has prepared for them for ages. But it is also bad news for those who, even though they have denied him their whole lives, will still have to meet him one day. What will that meeting be like? We leave it to Christ. Now we must live the remaining journey to our own grave as well as possible so that the next one from the grave will be a joyful welcome to the one who is our Way, Truth, and Life.

V. Crucified Jesus, have mercy on us.
R. Also on the souls in purgatory.

Closing prayer

What we have been thinking about for these few minutes will haunt us throughout our lives. Many of us know what it is to bear the accusation against ourselves. We also know what it is to take up our cross every day and follow Him. We all know very well what it is to fall, but also what it is to get up. We may also have experienced waiting for help when no one is there to help us. And some of you here are those who have only recently experienced the Calvary of your loved ones and had to follow the coffin to the place of their final physical rest. Lord, we do not know which stop on this Way of the Cross will be our closest. But we ask you to accompany us on this journey, for you yourself have already walked it once.
R. Amen.

Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be to the Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, hear the Holy Father Pope Francis, your Vicar, so that he may obtain all that he asks in your name from the heavenly Father. For you live and reign forever and ever.
R. Amen.

CURRICULUM VITAE

She was the kind and exemplary wife of the nobleman Lorenzo de Ponziani eing an excellent mother to her children. Beneath her magnificent dress, she wore a garment made of horsehair. She helped the poor greatly and lived a virtuous life, especially practicing humility and patience. She experienced enormous tragedy when two of her children died, her husband was mutilated in the war, and her son was taken hostage. She set an example of extreme dedication and bravery. In 1425, she established a community of oblates based on the Rule of St Benedict. She became the abbess of the monastery she had started after becoming a widow.

CV FOR MEDITATION

HER THOUGHTS WERE DIRECTED TO WHAT PLEASED GOD

She was born in 1384 in Trastevere (Zatibeří) in Rome to a wealthy family. At the age of 13, she was married to the nobleman Lorenzo Ponziano, although she wished to enter a religious order. She was modest, delicate, and pious, careful about purity. She was a perfect wife to her husband, attentive to his wishes. He was pious, respected her, and admired her virtues. Frances submitted to the customs of wealthy families in terms of society and external clothing, but under her beautiful clothes, she wore a haircloth belt. With this ascetic detail, out of love for Jesus, she helped her thoughts always be directed to what pleases God. She was courteous and modest around men, but serious and cautious when speaking to women.

After a painful illness, during which she reportedly received a visit from St. Aleš, who announced the end of her life, she stopped dressing ostentatiously with her husband’s consent. She gave the money she had saved for clothes and feasts to the poor. Later, she would often beg for the poor and sick in remote places where she was unknown, helping them greatly. She had the grace to see her guardian angel and received other mystical gifts. She was attentive to the religious duties of everyone in the household and would not tolerate any defective books. She lived in humility and patience in all circumstances.

Biographies do not agree on the number of her children. At the age of 16, her first son, John, was born, and within four years, she had about three more children. Her daughter died at the age of six, and the second boy at the age of seven. Her children were killed by a plague epidemic. When she had only her eldest son left, he was taken as a hostage during the last war with the supporter of the defiant pope, Ladislaus of Naples from Durazzo, who attacked and sacked Rome three times in the years 1404-1413. She had the Ponziani family palace plundered during the last attack and had the seriously wounded Lorenzo, who was the commander-in-chief of the papal army, expelled from the city. He was only able to return when the Neapolitan invaders left Rome.

It was a very difficult time for Francesca. However, her piety and kindness shielded her from despair, enabling her to reach out to those facing even worse circumstances. Perhaps their faith was not as helpful as it could have been. She distributed the remaining provisions to the poor and went to help the sick in three Roman hospitals. She treated them, led them to repentance, and prayed with them and for them.

The example of the selfless Francis also appealed to other Roman women, who then, in 1425, formed with her an association of Benedictine Oblates, spiritually connected with the Roman Benedictine monastery of the “Mount of Olives.” Until 1433, they lived in their own families, and only then did they form a community in one house, called the Oblate Monastery of Tor de’ Specchi. Francis moved there only after the death of her invalid husband in March 1436. She lived there for four years and died at the age of 56.

She was buried in the church of Santa Maria Nuova above the ruins of the ancient Roman forum. She was canonized in 1608.

RESOLUTION, PRAYER

I will think more about my guardian angel today, even though I can’t see him as Francis does, and I will pray to him.

God, you have shown us that loving you and our neighbor fulfills your commandments. Help us, like Saint Francis, to always strive to see the needs of others, serve them willingly, and thus enter your kingdom. Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.