The Passion Suffered by the Heart of Jesus: Prayerful Reflections on the Stations of the Cross - New Evangelizers

I did not know that St. Pope John Paul II had written a scriptural Stations of the Cross in 1991. These stations go deeply into the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Laura Marie Durant, OCDS, has written a deeply moving set of prayers and reflections on each of the 15 stations. Beginning with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and ending with the women at the tomb on Easter morning we seek to see into the Sacred Heart of Jesus and console his suffering heart.

I have often thought of Jesus’ physical suffering; indeed, it is so visible how can you not? But to ponder how his heart suffered for us and longed for us to be saved is not something I’ve done much. These meditations changed that for me and will for you as well.

Laura has a beautiful prayer for those who use these meditations, “May you come to know His cross of love, mercy, and healing in a deeper way through these reflections. I pray these reflections bring healing to wounded hearts, soften hardened hearts and give us strength by which we can endure all the crosses we are blessed with in our own lives.”

Jesus’ passion and death required surrender to the Father. As I read the prayers, I was reminded that I too need to surrender to the Father. In the surrendering, we grow closer to God and closer to becoming who we are meant to be.

This is a beautiful, meaningful and personal way to pray and reflect on Jesus’ passion, not only during Lent but anytime of the year.

To purchase a book or for more information, go to Laura’s website!

Deanna Bartalini

Deanna G. Bartalini, is a Catholic writer, speaker, and educator. She serves on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. Deanna loves teaching about Catholicism and how it fits into our daily lives. She writes at DeannaBartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.com blog, and is a contributor there as well as at AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna contributed to A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion published by Ave Maris Press. She is the author of “Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control” published by Our Sunday Visitor. Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.