Way of the Cross 2025 – Pilgrims of hope in a wounded world

PILGRIMS OF HOPE IN A WOUNDED WORLD:
Way of the Cross for LENT 2025

Introduction
The Way of the Cross, or the Stations of the Cross, is a profound journey reflecting on the Passion of Christ. As we gather today to walk the Way of the Cross during this Jubilee Year 2025, we journey as pilgrims of hope in a world that yearns for healing and renewal. Pope Francis reminds us in Laudato Si that "hope would have us recognize that there is always a way out, that we can always redirect our steps, that we can always do something to solve our problems." 

Aligning with the Jubilee theme "Pilgrims of Hope," we contemplate each station through the lens of our current environmental and socio-political challenges, guided by the insights from Pope Francis' encyclicals Laudato Si' and Laudate Deum. Today, we follow Christ's path to Calvary with open hearts, recognizing in his suffering the pain of our common home and all who dwell in it. Each station invites us to contemplate both the passion of Christ and the passion of our world, challenging us to become agents of hope and transformation.

As we embark on this spiritual pilgrimage, we recognize that "we are one single human family" (Laudato Si', 52). Our journey mirrors the struggles of many who face environmental degradation and social injustices. Through these stations, let us open our hearts to the cries of the earth and the poor, seeking transformation and hope.

Let us pray: Loving God, as we begin this journey with your Son, open our eyes to see the connections between the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Transform our hearts that we may become pilgrims of hope in a world marked by indifference and destruction. Unite our suffering with Christ's redemptive love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Concluding Prayer

Loving God, as we complete this Way of the Cross, we recognize that our journey as pilgrims of hope continues. The passion of Christ and the passion of our earth are intertwined, calling us to compassion, conversion, and action. In the words of Pope Francis, "All is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start."
Grant us the wisdom to see the connections between all forms of suffering in our world, the courage to make the changes necessary for healing, and the perseverance to continue working for justice even when progress seems slow. May the hope of resurrection sustain us as we work to restore our common home and build a civilization of love.
We ask this through Christ, our crucified and risen Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Blessing:
May almighty God bless you, the Father who created this beautiful world, the Son who redeemed it through his suffering, and the Holy Spirit who renews it day by day. Go forth as pilgrims of hope, to love and serve the Lord in all creation.
* Amen.
* Thanks be to God.