He is risen! Alleluia!

I recently discovered an Eastertide practice embraced by our Catholic brothers and sisters. Much like their Lenten practice of the Stations of the Cross, they also have an Eastertide practice: the Stations of the Light, called the Via Lucis, or Way of Resurrection. It is “a spiritual journey with Christ that takes one through fourteen of the most inspiriting events of His post-Resurrection life on earth…. It invites participants to walk along a path of transforming joy by following in the footsteps of the Risen Christ and his friends.” According to catholicnh.org, practicing it can result in: “a joyful spirituality; contemplative living; peace and happiness; love; friendship; family bonds; compassion; reverence for the Sacred; prayer; staying power; and joyful optimism. Through these and other blessings, participants awaken to a new vision of self and imagine a new way of being in the world.” Sounds exactly like what we’ve been talking about doing during this joyful fifty-day season!

The fourteen stations are listed below, as outlined by the Diocese of Manchester. Please consider setting aside some time this week to prayerfully spend time at each station, allowing the joy of the truth of the resurrection to seep more deeply into your being. Feel free to google works of art that depict each stage (the Diocese of Manchester sets the scriptures alongside works of stained glass) to help guide you on your joyful resurrection journey.

Station 1: Jesus rises from the dead (Matthew 28:5-6)
Station 2: The women find the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-6a)
Station 3: The risen Lord appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-16)
Station 4: Mary Magdalene proclaims the Resurrection to the Apostles (John 20:17b-18)
Station 5: The risen Lord appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-16; 25-27)
Station 6: The risen Jesus is recognized in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:28-32)
Station 7: The risen Lord appears to the disciples in Jerusalem (Luke 25:36-39)
Station 8: Jesus gives the disciples authority to forgive (John 20:21-23)
Station 9: The Lord strengthens the faith of Thomas (John 20:24-29)
Station 10: Jesus says to Peter, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
Station 11: The risen Lord sends the disciples into the whole world (Matthew 28:16-20)
Station 12: Jesus ascends into heaven (Acts 1:9-11)
Station 13: Waiting with Mary in the upper room (Acts 1:12-14)
Station 14: Jesus sends the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).

I pray these stations celebrating the resurrection help you enter more deeply into the joy of the season. Let’s keep the feast together!