Lourdes High Station 01

Lourdes High Station 01 - Condemned
The Espelugues

This is the beginning for your spiritual journey through Lourdes High Stations of the Cross. For me it sets the tone when I am on pilgrimage, not just here in Lourdes, it can be Fatima, Garabandal or even home in my church.

It reminds me of the virtues of humility, obedience, and the acceptance of suffering. Just being at these scenes helps me deepen my faith and draw closer to Christ. Listening to the prayers and thinking about the meditations is all part of the pilgrimage experience.

Jesus is Condemned to Death

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V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus is dragged before Pilot and Herod.
Beaten, mocked, spit upon and bloody scourges across his back.
The crown of thorns piercing his head.
Judged by unjust creatures to be put to death.
Tortured.

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Prayer:
My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, it was my sins that condemned Thee to die. I beseech Thee by the merits of this sorrowful journey to assist my soul in its journey towards eternity.
The Way of the Cross of Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

v. Have Mercy upon us O Lord.
r. Have Mercy on us.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Meditation:
Bang the judges gavel slams down. A sentence has been decided, guilty. Guilty of what? Healing, kindness, compassion, teaching or maybe the TRUTH? How many times have you been judged unjustly? It doesn't have to be in a courtroom, it could be a friend, family member, co-workers, piers. Everyday somebody is judge and jury of another one's life. Why does it have to be this way? Aren't you tired; I know I am.

As I watch from across the square, my heart has dropped, it is heavy with my own guilt. Jesus healed me or maybe someone I knew, a neighbor. And now I see him beaten, bloody his skin torn from the ropes that hit him.  I want to fall to my knees and cry and tell him how sorry I am. I had part in this decision, I sinned and fell away, I cried out, "Crucify Him". It is my sins that He will save me from.  What am I doing now to stop this?
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I talked about comfort zones and this being a place to test that. I believe there were 28 steps to the top of this display. These steps are called the Holy Stairs also known as Scala Sancta a replica of the original Scala Sancta in Rome. I did not do the climb on my knees, but others did. I could only imagine the profound experience achieved or suffering. 

Station 2
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