The Via Crucis and the Via Lucis

In addition to the engaging liturgies of the Triduum, the Way of the Cross, was a popular devotion which thrived throughout the Second Millennium of Christianity. Sometimes referred to by its Latin name, the Via Crucis was prayed usually on Fridays during the Forty Days of Lent , on the other weekdays of Holy Week (known as "Great Week" among the Eastern churches) and on Good Friday.  In the early centuries of the Church, pilgrims made a penitential journey to Jerusalem to walk and pray the Stations of the Cross, known as the "via dolorosa" (the way of sorrow).  In some contemporary Stations of the Cross, a fifteenth station has been added to commemorate the Resurrection of the Lord.

The Via Lucis, the "Way of Light," emerges for Triduum liturgies in the same spirit of devotion. Also known as the Stations of the Resurrection, this devotion parallels the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary just as the Via Crucis complement the Sorrowful Mysteries. These stations were discovered in the Catacombs of St. Callistus in Rome.

The Via Lucis is particularly suited for Easter Sunday, for the weekdays of the Easter Octave (known as "Bright Week" among the Eastern churches), and throughout the Fifty Days of the Easter Season. 

In a fashion similar to the Via Crucis and the four passion narratives, the Via Lucis reflects upon the final chapters of each of the four gospels, which narrate the appearances of the Risen Lord from Easter to Pentecost. Fourteen "stations of light" have been identified.

The Official Vatican prayer book for the Jubilee Year 2000, Pilgrim Prayers, includes a Via Lucis along with the traditional Via Crucis. Both of these complementary devotions are celebrated in the Via Garden at St. John's Center for Youth and Family, Plymouth, Michigan. It is hoped that these resources will help the Christian community, which has so passionately identified with the Crucified Lord in the Via Crucis, walk boldly into the light of the Third Millennium with the Risen Christ!

Called to Be Crucifers and Lucifers

At the head of every liturgical procession are important ministers: light bearers (lucifers) and a cross bearer (crucifer). They not only lead us into becoming a worshipping assembly, but also they remind each one of us of our essential identity and our mission to carry the light and the cross which were entrusted to us at our baptism. 

The Via Crucis reminds us that we are called to be crucifers.  We take up the cross with the Risen Lord who teaches us and accompanies us through the challenges of daily life.  The Via Lucis, a contemporary rediscovery of an ancient devotion, highlights the continuing presence of the Risen Lord, as we recognize His guidance and leadership through the events of our living.  Walking the Via Lucis makes us lucifers, light bearers in a darkened world. This insight gives a whole new positive meaning to the name "Lucifer" that was limited previously only to Catholic literary traditions' link with the name of the leader of the fallen angels. 

Our celebration of the liturgy is meant to be the source and spring as well as the journey through the valleys and mountaintops of our faith.  The devotional itinerary through the Via Crucis and Via Lucis echoes the paschal mystery of the death-resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Walking the Via Crucis and the Via Lucis helps us to identify with the Lord who always walks ahead, behind and all around us.   

Amen!  Alleluia!