Stations of the Resurrection

Have you heard about the Stations of the Resurrection?  Also referred to as the Via Lucis - or Way of Light - this devotion was first created in 1988 by Fr. Sabino Palumbieri, from the Salesian University in Rome. The devotion consists of 14 stations, and follows the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. First publically performed in 1990, the Stations of the Resurrection have gained popularity as a way of meditating on the joy and hope brought about by the resurrection. In 2001, the Vatican commended the Via Lucis by saying:

"A pious exercise called the Via Lucis has developed and spread to many regions in recent years. Following the model of the Via Crucis, the faithful process while meditating on the various appearances of Jesus – from his Resurrection to his Ascension – in which he showed his glory to the disciples who awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14, 26; 16, 13-15; Lk 24, 49), strengthened their faith, brought to completion his teaching on the Kingdom and more closely defined the sacramental and hierarchical structure of the Church.

Through the Via Lucis, the faithful recall the central event of the faith – the resurrection of Christ – and their discipleship in virtue of Baptism, the paschal sacrament by which they have passed from the darkness of sin to the bright radiance of the light of grace (cf. Col 1, 13; Eph 5, 8)"

The Stations of the Resurrection help us to move from the experience of suffering, pain and death to the hope, joy and life of the resurrection, which is the promise of our faith. 

The Stations are generally arranged into the 14 stations below, but there are variations. 

1. Jesus is raised from the dead
2. The finding of the empty tomb
3. Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus
4. Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus
5. Jesus is known in the breaking of bread
6. Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem
7. Jesus gives the disciples his peace and the power to forgive sins
8. Jesus strengthens the faith of Thomas
9. Jesus appears by the Sea of Tiberias
10. Jesus forgives Peter and commands him to feed his sheep
11. Jesus commissions the disciples upon the mountain
12. The Ascension of Jesus
13. Mary and the disciples wait in prayer
14. The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost
    

Some versions of the Via Lucis include the angel appears to the women, Mary Magdalene proclaims the resurrection to the disciples, Jesus appears to the 500, and other events from Scripture. If you are interested in praying the Stations of the Resurrection, www.looktohimandberadiant.com has a great Easter Sunrise Stations craft for kids HERE, or you can use the document from the Archdiocese of Detroit HERE.