Sorrowful Mysteries 4: Way of Cross

http://rosaryinvisualart.com/

1. Meditation on the Way of the CrossMeditation on the Way of the Cross
Recommendation: Please read the contents of one Recommendation: Please read the contents of one
of the 20 mysteries meditations before you start of the 20 mysteries meditations before you start
your prayer. Some of these presentations (e.g. The your prayer. Some of these presentations (e.g. The
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion) contains Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion) contains
over 60 slides. With so much spiritual food that it over 60 slides. With so much spiritual food that it
is best to is best to read and contemplate on a few of the read and contemplate on a few of the
slides each timeslides each time..
We welcome biblical scholars, theologians, We welcome biblical scholars, theologians,
lecturers and professors of theological institutions lecturers and professors of theological institutions
and seminaries and lay people around the world to and seminaries and lay people around the world to
contribute precious pictures and wordscontribute precious pictures and words to to
accompany specific scenes in the Rosary in Visual accompany specific scenes in the Rosary in Visual
Art. You can contribute through the BLOG on our Art. You can contribute through the BLOG on our
website.website.

2. Fourth Sorrowful MysteryFourth Sorrowful Mystery
The way of the CrossThe way of the Cross
Carrying the cross by himself, he went Carrying the cross by himself, he went
out to what is called the Place of the out to what is called the Place of the
Skull, Golgotha.Skull, Golgotha.

Fruit of the Mystery: Patience inFruit of the Mystery: Patience in
carrying our cross.carrying our cross.

3. The Way of the CrossThe Way of the Cross
Revelations of the QueenRevelations of the Queen to: to:
St. Bridget of SwedenSt. Bridget of Sweden
Venerable Mary of AgredaVenerable Mary of Agreda

4. Jacopo Tintoretto, Christ before Pilate. 1566-67. Grande Rocco. Venice
1.Jesus is condemned to death.
“My adorable Jesus, it
was not Pilate, it was
my sins that
condemned you to
die.”
(St. Alphonsus Liguori )
Lord Jesus, often I
judge others and fail to
be understanding.
Help me to see the
people in my life
through your eyes.

5. 2 The way of the Cross“Like a gentle lamb who
is led to the slaughter,
without a word of
bitterness.”
“The way of the cross
is the only way that I
have traced out for
you. The time has
come when you are
being called to climb
Calvary with Him.
This is your most
beautiful hour.”
(Gobbi)

6. 2 The way of the Cross““My daughter, My daughter,
embrace the Cross embrace the Cross
and do not admit any and do not admit any
consolation outside of consolation outside of
it in this mortal life. it in this mortal life.
By meditating day By meditating day
and night on the and night on the
Passion and Death of Passion and Death of
Jesus crucified, thou Jesus crucified, thou
wilt attain the summit wilt attain the summit
of perfection.of perfection.
This is the great This is the great
sciencescience of the saints.of the saints.
(Mary of agreda)(Mary of agreda)

7. Marco Palmezanno, Christ bearing the Cross. Vatican Museums.
“If anyone wishes to
come after Me, let him
deny himself, and take
up his cross daily and
follow Me.”
To do so means to
live continually in
the spirit of
mortification and
sacrifice.
3.* Jesus carries the cross

8. Marco Palmezanno, Christ bearing the Cross. Vatican Museums.
When we accept our own pains,
sufferings, sorrows and
burdens
with love from His hand, and
unite with His Sufferings, they
become a source of great merit
and inestimable value for us,
and for the salvation of souls.
Help me to embrace
the crosses in my
life----hardships, pain,
struggles, and
disappointments.
“Following him on the
way to Calvary, we
learn the meaning of
salvific suffering.”
(Pope John Paul II)
3A.Jesus carries the cross

9. Domenichino, The Way to Calvary, 1610. Paul Getty Museum. Los Angeles
“My beloved
Jesus, it was
not the weight
of the cross,
but the weight
of my sins
that made you
suffer so
much.
By the merits
of this fall
save me from
falling into
mortal sin.”
--St. Alphonsus
4.* Jesus fell the first time.

10. Domenichino, The Way to Calvary, 1610., Paul Getty Museum. Los Angeles.
“As my Son was
going to the place
of His Passion,
some men struck
Him on the back
and others hit Him
in the face. He was
struck so violently
and so brutally that
although I did not
see the person
striking Him I
distinctly heard the
sound of the
blows.” (Our Lady to
St. Bridget of
Sweden.)
4.* Jesus fell the first time.

11. HH
The executioners, bare of all human compassion and The executioners, bare of all human compassion and
kindness, kindness, dragged our Savior Jesus along with incredible dragged our Savior Jesus along with incredible
cruelty and insults.cruelty and insults. Some of them Some of them jerked Him forward by jerked Him forward by
the ropes in order to accelerate his passage, while others the ropes in order to accelerate his passage, while others
pulled from behindpulled from behind in order to retard it.in order to retard it. On account of this On account of this
jerking and the weight of the Cross they caused Him to jerking and the weight of the Cross they caused Him to
sway to and fro and often to fall to the ground. By the hard sway to and fro and often to fall to the ground. By the hard
knocks He thus received knocks He thus received on the rough stones great on the rough stones great
wounds were opened, especially on the two kneeswounds were opened, especially on the two knees and and
they were widened at each repeated fall. they were widened at each repeated fall. The heavy Cross The heavy Cross
also inflicted a wound on the shoulderalso inflicted a wound on the shoulder on which it was on which it was
carried. The unsteadiness caused the carried. The unsteadiness caused the Cross sometimes to Cross sometimes to
knock against his sacred head, and sometimes the head knock against his sacred head, and sometimes the head
against the Cross; thus the thorns of his crown penetrated against the Cross; thus the thorns of his crown penetrated
deeperdeeper and wounded the parts, which they had not yet and wounded the parts, which they had not yet
reached. To these torments of the body the ministers of reached. To these torments of the body the ministers of
evil evil added many insulting words and execrable affronts, added many insulting words and execrable affronts,
ejecting their impure spittleejecting their impure spittle and and throwing the dirt of the throwing the dirt of the
pavement into his face so mercilessly, that they blinded pavement into his face so mercilessly, that they blinded
the eyesthe eyes that looked upon them with such divine mercy. that looked upon them with such divine mercy.
---Mary of Agreda, Mystical city of God.---Mary of Agreda, Mystical city of God.

12. 2. Jesus met his Mother, 2. Jesus met his Mother,
Simon, & VeronicaSimon, & Veronica

13. Simone Martini, The road to Calvary, ca. 1336. Louvre Museum. Paris.
A soldier threatens Mary with a
club to keep her apart from Jesus.
5.* Jesus met his mother
My most loving Jesus, by
the pain You suffered in
this meeting, grant me the
grace of being truly
devoted to your most Holy
Mother.
And you, my Queen, who
was over-whelmed with
sorrow, obtain for me
a tender and lasting
remembrance of the
passion of your divine son
(St. Alphonsus Liguori)

14. From the house of Pilate the sorrowful and stricken Mother From the house of Pilate the sorrowful and stricken Mother
followed with the multitudes on the way of her divine Son, followed with the multitudes on the way of her divine Son,
accompanied by saint John and the pious women. As the surging accompanied by saint John and the pious women. As the surging
crowds hindered Her from getting very near to the Lord, She asked crowds hindered Her from getting very near to the Lord, She asked
the eternal Father to be permitted to stand at the foot of the Cross the eternal Father to be permitted to stand at the foot of the Cross
of her blessed Son and see Him die with her own eyes. With the of her blessed Son and see Him die with her own eyes. With the
divine consent She ordered her angels to manage things in such a divine consent She ordered her angels to manage things in such a
way as to make it possible for her to execute her wishes. The holy way as to make it possible for her to execute her wishes. The holy
angels obeyed Her with great reverence; and they speedily led the angels obeyed Her with great reverence; and they speedily led the
Queen through some bystreet, in order that She might meet her Queen through some bystreet, in order that She might meet her
Son. Thus it came that both of Them met face to face in sweetest Son. Thus it came that both of Them met face to face in sweetest
recognition of each Other and in mutual renewal of each other's recognition of each Other and in mutual renewal of each other's
interior sorrows. Yet They did not speak to one another, nor would interior sorrows. Yet They did not speak to one another, nor would
the fierce cruelty of the executioners have permitted such the fierce cruelty of the executioners have permitted such
interaction. But the most prudent Mother interiorly besought Him, interaction. But the most prudent Mother interiorly besought Him,
that, since She could not relieve him of the weight of the Cross that, since She could not relieve him of the weight of the Cross
since She was not permitted to command her holy angels to since She was not permitted to command her holy angels to
lighten it, He would inspire these ministers of cruelty to procure lighten it, He would inspire these ministers of cruelty to procure
some one for his assistance. This prayer was heard by the Lord some one for his assistance. This prayer was heard by the Lord
Christ ; and so it happened, that Simon of Cyrene was afterwards Christ ; and so it happened, that Simon of Cyrene was afterwards
impressed to carry the Cross with the Lord (Matth. 27,impressed to carry the Cross with the Lord (Matth. 27, 32).32).
(Mary of Agreda. The Mystical City of God)(Mary of Agreda. The Mystical City of God)

15. 6.** Simon carries the cross: Simon represents all of
us. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, we should all
help Jesus to carry the Cross. This is a sure sign that we
belong to Christ.
We can alleviate
Your pain,
O Lord, by sharing
the burdens of
our afflicted
brothers
and sisters.
Juan de Flaudes. The Road to Calvary. 1510 Palencia Cathedral

16. 6A. Simon carries the Cross"Oh, all you who
pass by, pause a
while, and see if
there has ever been
any sorrow like to the
sorrow I have
endured for love of
you. Be mindful of
my poverty and
humiliations; think
of the gall and
wormwood I took for
you in my bitter
passion." (Mary of Agreda)
Juan de Flaudes.
The Road to Calvary
1510 Palencia Cathedral

17. 6B. Simon carries the Cross
“Ask the Father for the gift of being true disciples of Jesus,
that you will always say yes to Jesus, even though it may
mean sorrow and suffering. Pray for the grace to take all,
out of love for Him.” (Gobbi)
Passion of Christ. Movie

18. Jacopo Bassano, The Way to Calvary. 1545. National Gallery. London
Veronica rises above
her fear of public
opinion and steps
forward to administer
to Jesus. She rejects
the standards of this
world which see only
the rich and famous
as being worthy of
attention.
Help us to see God’s
face in those the
world rejects.
7.* Veronica wiped the face of Jesus

19. Master of St. Veronica, St. Veronica with the Shroud of Christ, 1420. Munich
The Shroud of Christ
The image of Jesus remained on the
fabric that she used to wipe his face.
The Shroud of Turin

20. 3. Jesus fell three times3. Jesus fell three times
Words of the QueenWords of the Queen on: on:
The true disciples of ChristThe true disciples of Christ

21. ..
James Tissot 1836-1902. Jesus fall beneath the Cross. Brooklyn MuseumJames Tissot 1836-1902. Jesus fall beneath the Cross. Brooklyn Museum..
8. Jesus fell the second time
Failure and disappointments sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind
my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from you and others. Help me never
to be afraid to begin again. You know how often I fall trying to follow You.
Yet you are always there to lift me up.

22. ..
8A.** Jesus fell the second time
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, The way of the cross.
Our Lord fell
several times to
show us that
we can have
the misfortune
of falling but we
must get up
quickly, take up
our cross and
continue
courageously
to follow Jesus.

23. ““He chose not a life of softness and ease for the He chose not a life of softness and ease for the
flesh, but one full of labors and pains;flesh, but one full of labors and pains; for He for He
judged his instructions to be incomplete and judged his instructions to be incomplete and
insufficient to redeem man, if He failed to insufficient to redeem man, if He failed to teach teach
them how to overcome the demon, the flesh and them how to overcome the demon, the flesh and
their own self.their own self. He wished to inculcate, He wished to inculcate, that this that this
magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by
labors, penances, mortifications and the labors, penances, mortifications and the
acceptance of contempt.”acceptance of contempt.” (Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

24. 9. Jesus spoke to the women of Jerusalem.
“My Jesus, I weep for
the sins which I have
committed against you
because of the
punishment I deserve
for them; and because
of the displeasure they
have caused You. It is
your love, more than the
fear of hell which makes
me weep for my sins.”
-----St. Alphonsus Liguori

25. 10. Jesus fell the third time.
At those times, Jesus,
when we feel most
defeated and want to
give up, strengthen us
with Your persevering
spirit.
Your failing strength
makes me see how
helpless I am. Without
You, I can do nothing.
Help me to rely on your
strength, to see how
much I need You.

26. WORDS OF THE QUEEN onWORDS OF THE QUEEN on the True Disciples of Christthe True Disciples of Christ (The (The
Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)
““I desire that the fruit of the obedience with which thou writest the I desire that the fruit of the obedience with which thou writest the
history of my life shall be, history of my life shall be, that thou become a true disciple of my that thou become a true disciple of my
most holy Son and of myself.most holy Son and of myself. The main purpose of the exalted and The main purpose of the exalted and
venerable mysteries, which are made known to thee, and of the venerable mysteries, which are made known to thee, and of the
teachings, which I so often repeat to thee, is teachings, which I so often repeat to thee, is that thou deny and strip that thou deny and strip
thyself, estranging thy heart from all affection to creaturesthyself, estranging thy heart from all affection to creatures,, neither neither
wishing to possess them nor accept them for other uses. By this wishing to possess them nor accept them for other uses. By this
precaution thou wilt overcome the impediments, which the devils precaution thou wilt overcome the impediments, which the devils
seek to place in the way of the dangerous softness of thy nature. By seek to place in the way of the dangerous softness of thy nature. By
the divine teaching thou knowest the divine teaching thou knowest the one true way of life, which is the one true way of life, which is
the Crossthe Cross; and thou knowest that ; and thou knowest that not all who are called, are chosen. not all who are called, are chosen.
Many there are who wish to follow Christ and very few who truly Many there are who wish to follow Christ and very few who truly
dispose themselves to imitate Him; for as soon as they feel the dispose themselves to imitate Him; for as soon as they feel the
sufferings of the Cross they cast it asidesufferings of the Cross they cast it aside. On this account there are . On this account there are
so many among mortals, who, forgetful of the eternal truths, seek so many among mortals, who, forgetful of the eternal truths, seek
the flesh; and the continual indulgence of its pleasures. They the flesh; and the continual indulgence of its pleasures. They
ardently seek honors and fly from injuries: they strive after riches, ardently seek honors and fly from injuries: they strive after riches,
and condemn poverty; they long after pleasure and dread and condemn poverty; they long after pleasure and dread
mortification.mortification. All these are enemies of the Cross of ChristAll these are enemies of the Cross of Christ (Phil. 3, (Phil. 3,
18), and with dreadful aversion they fly from it, deeming it sheer 18), and with dreadful aversion they fly from it, deeming it sheer
ignominy, just like those who crucified Christ, the Lord.”ignominy, just like those who crucified Christ, the Lord.”

27. ““Another deceit has spread through the world: Another deceit has spread through the world: many imagine that many imagine that
they are following Christ their Master, though they neither suffer they are following Christ their Master, though they neither suffer
affliction nor engage in any exertion or labor. They are content with affliction nor engage in any exertion or labor. They are content with
avoiding boldness in committing sins, and place all their perfection avoiding boldness in committing sins, and place all their perfection
in a certain prudence or hollow self-lovein a certain prudence or hollow self-love, which prevents them from , which prevents them from
denying anything to their will and from practicing any virtues at the denying anything to their will and from practicing any virtues at the
cost of their flesh. They would easily escape this deception, if they cost of their flesh. They would easily escape this deception, if they
would consider that my Son was not only the Redeemer, but their would consider that my Son was not only the Redeemer, but their
Teacher; and that Teacher; and that He left in this world the treasures of his He left in this world the treasures of his
Redemption not only as a remedy against its eternal ruin, but as a Redemption not only as a remedy against its eternal ruin, but as a
necessary medicine for the sickness of sin in human nature.necessary medicine for the sickness of sin in human nature. No one No one
knew so much as my Son and Lord; no one could better understand knew so much as my Son and Lord; no one could better understand
the quality of love than the divine Lord, who was and is wisdom and the quality of love than the divine Lord, who was and is wisdom and
charity itself; and no one was more able to fulfill all his wishes (I charity itself; and no one was more able to fulfill all his wishes (I
John 4, 16). Nevertheless, although He well could do it, John 4, 16). Nevertheless, although He well could do it, He chose He chose
not a life of softness and ease for the flesh, but one full of labors not a life of softness and ease for the flesh, but one full of labors
and pains; for He judged his instructions to be incomplete and and pains; for He judged his instructions to be incomplete and
insufficient to redeem man, if He failed teach them how to insufficient to redeem man, if He failed teach them how to
overcome the demon, the flesh and their own self. He wished to overcome the demon, the flesh and their own self. He wished to
inculcate, that this magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by inculcate, that this magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by
labors, penances, mortifications and the acceptance of contempt: all labors, penances, mortifications and the acceptance of contempt: all
of which are the trademarks and evidences of true love and the of which are the trademarks and evidences of true love and the
special watchwords of the predestined.”special watchwords of the predestined.”

28. The ( National ) RosaryThe ( National ) Rosary For the Evangelization of For the Evangelization of
(Nations)(Nations)
1.1. Fatima Prayer:Fatima Prayer: To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all
evangelization.evangelization.
““O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of
hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in
most need of thy mercy.”most need of thy mercy.”
2.2. Invocation of the Holy Spirit:Invocation of the Holy Spirit: Principal agent of Principal agent of
evangelization.evangelization.
““Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people
and enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means and enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means
of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary, your well-beloved Spouse.”Mary, your well-beloved Spouse.”

3. 3. Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ):Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ): Star of the new Star of the new
evangelization.evangelization.
““Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the
(National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.(National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.
Look upon them continually with mercy and through your Look upon them continually with mercy and through your
intercession with the divine Redeemer, heal themintercession with the divine Redeemer, heal them of their of their
sufferings, deliver them from all evil, and fill them with sufferings, deliver them from all evil, and fill them with
your love.”your love.”
We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven !We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven !