Via Crucis 2006

Via Crucis Grid Blog: One Room Stations 5 & 6

Both Mary and Veronica do seem to imbue a loving presence to Jesus beyond words.  Consolation -  to be with the lonely one. The simple act of wiping someone's face when facing sickness, suffering or death. Again, as Nouwen would point out - not cure, but care.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: Crossroad Dispatches Station 6

The Stations of the Cross today mark a pilgrimage route in Jerusalem that traces Jesus' path to his cruxification and resurrection. At station six, there is a chapel commemorating a woman. Pictured here is its doorway.

I have set before thee an open door,

and no man can shut it. - Revelation 3:8

"In an instant someone from the bystanders broke ranks. It was a woman. She came running to Jesus holding in her hands a piece of wet cloth. She wiped Jesus' face from sweat and blood. She did not bother to look at the soldiers, she did not care about her own safety. She did it instinctively..." - Franciscan Cyberspot, "Jerusalem The Way of the Cross"

No one knows for sure whom this woman was, but the veil she used to wipe His face, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, was said to bear the likeness of the image of Christ's face, and the revered relic "was called vera icon (true image), which ordinary language soon made veronica." The Basilica of St. Peter's in Rome and a Capuchin monastery in the village of Manoppello, Italy both claim possession of the authentic veil. (More of Veronica's story at the Via Crucis grid blog).

The woman now known as Veronica knew a true image, vera icon, of God in human form when she saw Him: a human and a Being. His Presence was so radiant that it was not totally obliterated in her eyes by the current situation.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: World of Your Making Stations 5 & 6

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

His face blood-stained, grime-weary, terrified and tired, Jesus shuddered, step by step, along. Veronica, hesitantly tender, alive to opportunity, from the shadows stepped and with her woman’s veil touched the face and bathed the sorrow to the flow of her tears.  Veronica, Veronica, so tender, so alive.

Jesus our brother, we wonder, we imagine, the contours of your face.  We say in faith that yours is the human face of God.  Veronica may well have known it first.  For her courage, you left an icon of your face on her veil.  For our courage, you will leave an imprint of your face on our lives.  The face of compassion.  The face of truth.

Give us courage to offer small gestures of grace to those in need.

Brave but trembling came the woman,
None but she would flaunt the Roman,
Moved by love beyond her fear.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: Best & Worst Station 6

What could have moved Veronica into this hate zone?

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: Argent by the Tiber Station 3

Three Simons. Old Simeon who foretold of your greatness accompanied by sorrow, Simon Peter who denied you and fled, and here is another Simon from Cyrene reluctant to come to your aid. You who are Everlasting Strength from Everlasting Strength by whose word whole armies of angels would come to your aid, yet, in this weakened state you welcomed a simple human's strength to intervene. How blessed is Simon to share in your hour of need. Grant me, Lord, the strength to carry my own cross, and through it help me to understand that your weakness is my strength.

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