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On the Way to Calvary

      Today we begin the traditional link of bringing you the Stations of the Cross on a daily basis. For the Lenten Way of the Cross, click on either the graphics Daily Way of the Cross or the text-only Daily Way of the Cross or the Meditative Lessons on the Way to Calvary

FIRST STATION: Jesus is Condemned to Death

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Weakened by Your Agony in the Garden, You now hear the fateful words of Pilate. Were You afraid, Jesus? I would be, such a cruel death. So unjustified. Permit me, my Jesus, to learn the great lesson of humility which You gave us, as You stood defenseless, offering nary a word to those who sought Your ruin. You, Innocence Itself, accepted the unjust sentence, which came upon You because of my sins. Jesus, touch my heart. Purify it. Convert it fully. Take my hand and help me walk the Way of the Cross with You...the Way of Salvation.

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SECOND STATION: Jesus Carries His Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
If You were weak before, how much so now that You had endured a scourging, one I can't even comprehend, but which fills me with horror. Yet they presented You with Your Cross, and with arms of love You received it, in perfect obedience to Your Heavenly Father that all men might be saved. You did not recoil from it. I would have. I still do, because at the slightest suffering I become impatient, frustrated, even angry. I want to run away, to seek solace in others, to deny that suffering is part of everyday life. Permit me, on this walk with You, dear Jesus, to learn in the depths of my soul and heart, to embrace the Cross which is the only way to Eternal Life. Whenever sorrow or suffering come, help me to remember that I deserve to shoulder the cross, because You, Who are the Innocent Lamb, embraced it without complaint out of love for me, a poor sinner.

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THIRD STATION: Jesus Falls the First Time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
So brutalized were You, my Jesus, that any ordinary man would have already expired. The loss of Your Sacred Blood causes You to fall heavily to the ground. No one showed You the least bit of compassion. Instead, You were kicked, spit upon, whipped and yanked to Your feet with the heavy burden of the Cross upon Your shoulder. Permit me, dear Jesus, to learn the virtue of patience. Let me remember Your example, and when things go wrong for me in any way, let it be the silence of Your Love which seals my lips out of love for You.

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FOURTH STATION: Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
My Jesus, can anyone ever know the anguish which was exchanged between You and Your most Holy Mother? Help me to meditate upon this meeting, and to learn from it that You, the Sinless One, and Your Immaculate Mother, call me to give up my sins, my inclination to evil. Whenever I am tempted, let me fall at the feet of Your Sorrowful Mother and there, with the tender mother's love which flows from her heart, receive Your strength to resist temptation, to grow stronger in my faith, in my resolve never to sin again. Let me gaze upon Your Holy Face, my Jesus, and understand what Love really means.

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FIFTH STATION: Simon the Cyrene Helps Jesus

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
It wasn't compassion which forced the Roman soldiers to make Simon help You. They feared You would die and they would not have the victory of seeing You die in anguish on Calvary. My dear Jesus, grant me the grace to help You carry Your Cross, making it my own with the full knowledge and assurance that it is You Who helps me to carry it. Only in this way will I be able to bear all with loving obedience, and patience, that Eternal Life might be mine.

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SIXTH STATION: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
You never forgot, even in the midst of Your torture, to give to those Who truly love You, a remembrance of Yourself. You desired for all men to remember Your Passion that from it they might learn Love. Imprint the image of Your Holy Face upon my heart and soul, my Jesus. In this way, strengthened by Your merits, let me always think of You, placing You above all earthly cares, until I see You in Eternity.

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SEVENTH STATION: Jesus Falls the Second Time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
So weakened! Your Holy Face lies on the hard ground, the weight of the Cross even heavier now. You fell, my sweet Jesus, to remind me of the pride and self-love that I cling to in life, rather than willingly, submitting myself fully to Your Holy Will in all things. Permit me, dear Jesus, to learn from You, and to henceforth be mindful to prostrate myself before You, my Lord and my God, that I might learn humility and simplicity in all things.

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EIGHTH STATION: Jesus Comforts the Women of Jerusalem

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
The weeping arouses You from the anguish of Your continuing Passion. You manage to speak to the women, and Your Holy words should arouse in me a deep repentance of all my sins. You Who are sinless, went to Your death with peace for You were united fully with the Father. Permit me, my Jesus, to contemplate my offenses against You, to confess them with a contrite heart, and to weep in the depths of my soul, for all I have done to cause You such suffering. And let me always remember that as You gaze upon me, it is with eyes of Mercy, so infinite is Your Love.

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NINTH STATION: Jesus Falls the Third Time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Life is waning from Your Sacred Body, but there is still a long, painful way to go. You fell, but You did not give up, in order that God's Will might be fulfilled. Teach me, my Jesus, to rise every time I fall, and to understand in my soul that You are there to help me to my feet, that it is You Who sets me once again on the right path - the Way of the Cross.

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TENTH STATION: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Your soiled garments adhere to Your Sacred Body because of the clotted blood. What anguish You suffered in order to atone for the sins of intemperance and sensuality. Permit me, my dear Jesus, to surrender to You all of my sins of the flesh, and even more, all of my earthly attachments. As You were subjected to the humility of being stripped, so teach me the joy of being stripped of sin, of earthly attachments in every instance, that I might stand with You on Calvary, a repentant sinner filled with joy and hope at the Salvation You have won for me.

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ELEVENTH STATION: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
I cannot comprehend what it was like to have cruel nails pounded into my tender flesh. I shrink from this, my Jesus. Sometimes it terrifies me. But You did not shrink from it. Permit me, my dear Jesus, to remember that it is my sins which have done this to You. You looked far beyond the pain, which I cannot fathom, to the Will of the Father, and the salvation of mankind. Let me remember in times of pain and sorrow, that You hold my hand and give me strength to endure, that You might wound my heart with the Love of Your Own Heart. Divine Mercy was poured forth upon mankind when the lance pierced Your Sacred Heart. My Jesus, grant that I, prostrate at the foot of Your Cross, may receive Your Divine Mercy.

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TWELFTH STATION: Jesus Dies on the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
I behold You, my Jesus, hanging upon the Cross in bitterest agony. You raise Your Sacred Head with the last ounce of Your strength and Will, and You look upon me. A look of such love! Of such compassion! O, permit me, my Jesus, to remain at the foot of Your Cross, gazing upon Your Sacred Countenance. Imprint upon my heart a lively contrition for my sins, which weighed so heavily upon you as You died in agony. Let me hear in my heart the words You offered to the Good Thief, and may I draw comfort from Your loving promises. Help me to look to Your Heavenly Mother, my own Mother, for the guidance I need to remain with You in these last terrible moments before eternal bliss.

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THIRTEENTH STATION: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
It is consummated! You have surrendered Your Divine Soul to the Father. Now, Your Blessed Mother, bereft of her Son, and alone of all consolation, receives Your lifeless body into her arms. Those about see only the lifeless body. Mary believes that You, God, will rise again on the third day, and if there is any comfort for her, it is this. With Mary, may I, a sinner, kiss each wound upon Your Sacred Body, in loving remembrance of all You have done for me. The journey is now complete for You. Help me, my Jesus, to complete my journey in this life, with the sincere faith that You shall greet me for all Eternity.

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FOURTEENTH STATION: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
What great sadness weighed down upon Mary as she watched Your Body hastily prepared for burial, and the cold, lonely tomb receive the Flesh of her flesh, and of the Father. She watched with tears streaming down her face as the stone was rolled in front of the tomb, her faith her bulwark against despair. Grant to me, my dear Jesus, the grace to ponder the Way of the Cross which all men must walk, in order to come to that moment of glorious resurrection with You for all Eternity.

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Events Today in Church History

      On this date in 1310 Saint Alessio Falconieri passed on to his eternal reward. He was one of the Seven Servite Founders whose feast is normally held on the anniversary of his death, but this year is preseded by Ash Wednesday. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for February 17:

• 308 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Theodulus and Saint Julian, Caesarean Christians in Palestine who were crucified after being discovered visiting prisons where many Christians had been incarcerated.

• 500 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Habet-Deus, Bishop of Luna in the Tuscany region of Italy who was met martyrdom at the hands of the Arian Vandals.

• 661 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Finan, an Irish monk who was a missionary in Southern England and is known for converting numerous Saxon monarchs.

• 1310 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Alessio Falconieri, one of the founders of the Seven Servites whose feast is normally observed on this date.

Yassir to firm up invite for Holy Father to visit Bethlehem in Jubilee Year when the two meet at the Vatican on Friday

      Relations with Israel, which have been very tender as of late, could take a dip in lieu of Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat's meeting with the Holy Father this coming Friday in which the two will discuss a myriad of issues, including firming up dates for the papal visit to Bethlehem. For more, click on Palestine 2000.

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will be received by Pope John Paul II in a private audience at the Vatican on Friday, February 19.

      The main topic for discussion during this seventh meeting between the Pope and the Palestinian president will be the preparations for celebrations of the Jubilee Year 2000, especially in the city of Bethlehem. Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, the president of the Central Committee for the Grand Jubilee, will also take part in the discussions.

      Arafat will be in Rome for a conference sponsored by the United Nations on roughly the same topic. The UN, in an effort to increase worldwide support for the rights of the Palestinian people, has organized an initiative known as Bethlehem 2000. The purpose of the project is to usher in the new millennium in Bethlehem as an era dedicated to peace and reconciliation among peoples.

      The last meeting between Arafat and the Holy Father occurred in June 1998. At that meeting the Palestinian leader personally invited Pope John Paul to come to Bethlehem for the millennium celebrations. Prior meetings between the two had occurred in September 1982, December 1988, April 1990, September 1995, and December 1996.

Doctrinal Commission finalizes a myriad of issues as conference wraps

      Concluding the conference convened to tackle several issues that deal with culture, race, education, equality and sexuality, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, presider at the conference, proclaimed it highly productive with a fusing of minds and hearts towards the purpose necessary to reach more and understand more of the faithful as well as the faithful better understanding the Church's stance on it. For more, click on Doctrinal Commission.

      VATICAN CITY, 16 (NE) A press release was issued yesterday evaluating the meeting of the delegation of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and the members of the Doctrinal Commissions of the episcopates of North America and Oceania, which finished some days ago in San Francisco. As the communique informed, there was "extended discussion centered on topics such as the authority of the Church's Magisterium, the importance of the Profession of Faith, the ecclesial role of the theologian, and dialogue between bishops and theologians."

      Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith was present at the four-day meeting that took place at the Vallombrosa Center in Menlo Park, San Francisco. The Cardinal gave a conference on Subjectivity, Christology and Church. In referring to the question of diversity of cultures and the unity of the Catholic doctrine he stated that because the Word of God is "prior to human speech, all cultures can receive the truth about the person of Christ. Therefore every human language can become the bearer of God's Word."

      Centered on some doctrinal questions related to the proclamation of the truth of Christ in the diverse cultural conditions, the meeting emphasized how "the doctrinal unity expresses and foments communion in the Church: in the local Churches as well as in the Universal Church. It also contributes to give solid witness of faith in the diverse cultures." Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, highlighted this subject, and stressed that obedience to the truth of Jesus Christ is "not a suppression of the intellect but a progressive harmonization of one's mind and heart with the mind and heart of God."

      The communiqué also presents the interventions of different bishops of North America and Oceania at the meeting, during which other subjects such as the implications of feminism for Catholic thought and the pastoral care with homosexual persons were discussed.

Another priest murdered, this time in South Africa

      Add another martyr to the list of priests and religious killed in Africa with word that a 75 year-old Belgian priest was shot to death by mauraders trying to loot his mission church and school for the blind in Pietersburg, South Africa this past Sunday. For more, click on Another martyr.

      PIETERSBURG, South Africa (CWNews.com) - A 75-year-old Belgian priest was killed in South Africa on Sunday by two robbers, police in Pietersburg said.

      Father Alphonus Petrus Peleman was shot dead by the thieves who confronted hum at the St. Bernard Mission and demanded money at gunpoint, said a police spokesman. "He was scared and shouted for help but the robbers shot at him twice, hitting him in the stomach and chest," said the spokesman.

      Father Peleman died at the scene and was found by Sister Frieda Platleu, who also lived at the mission and heard his shouts. The murderers then confronted the nun, but she escaped. They then stole a car belonging to the mission's school for the blind.

Vietnamese Government could be warming to possible papal visit by easing restrictions on ordinations

      What could possibly be a sign that the communist government of Vietnam is feeling the pressure from the people and does not want to be accused of being a despot, they have given permission for nine ordinations to be held on the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19th. It could also be a sign that officials are warming to the possibility of a papal visit, possibly this August for the feast of Our Lady of La Vang. For more, see Vietnam

      HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (CWNews.com/Fides) - On March 18th, the feast of St Joseph, Archbishop John Baptist Pham Ming Man of Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, will ordain nine new priests in the cathedral dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Peace.

      The men are all members of religious orders: two Dominicans, two Jesuits, two Redemptorists, one Franciscan, one Sulpice Father, and one member of the local Nazareth Institute. They range in age from 32 to 67 years old. Some priests of the area see the Communists' permission for the ordinations as another sign of a small opening toward religion.

      Vietnam's Communist government restricts ordinations to maintain controls over the activities of the Catholic Church. Government officials judge the candidates' qualities, sets the number for each seminary, and can veto the assignment of the seminarians to parishes. In addition, religious orders are not allowed to accept candidates or open novitiates, although several institutes have unofficial formation houses.

      Until recently, ordinations in Vietnam were rare, particularly for religious orders. The latter were regarded with suspicion because they belong to international organizations. Nevertheless, vocations continued to flourish in Vietnam. The mature age of many of the candidates to the priesthood is explained by the government's restrictions on the number of ordinations per year so that many who finish their studies while still young then have to wait years before being allowed to be ordained.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales. Both CWN and NE are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

      We continue featuring Roman Catholic megasites by choosing to bring you a site affiliated with Ignatius Press, EWTN, and the site which has been selected to coordinate the Knights of Columbus vast network. It is PETERSNET, an excellent source for searching a plethora of excellent databases and providing several other features all brought to you by Trinity Communications.

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February 17, 1999 volume 10, no. 33   DAILY CATHOLIC