catherine doherty, crucifixion, poustinia, Saints, stations, stations of the cross, the cross, the passion, via crucis, via dolorosa 

The Way of the Cross at Jerusalem, known as the Via Dolorosa or Via Crucis, marks Jesus' path to his crucifixion. Fourteen significant moments along the way are marked by a "station," and Saints throughout the ages confirm that meditating upon the stations is most fruitful, enabling you to make a pilgrimage to the moment of Jesus' Passion. One such Way of the Cross is located just outside Catherine Doherty's poustinia-her cabin, her desert. From the earliest days of her apostolic life, Catherine daily made this pilgrimage with Jesus Christ and his mother, walking with them, suffering with them, taking up the cross on the way to crucifixion and resurrection. Catherine's diaries, writings, and life brim with meditations, lessons, and insights gained from her spiritual pilgrimages to Golgotha. We offer to you some of these personal meditations from Catherine's heart during her pilgrimage along the Way, to guide you through your own pilgrimage to crucifixion and resurrection. This devotion begins with some of Catherine's meditations that you can pray to prepare your heart and focus your mind before you make your Way, or to deepen your resolve after making your Way. Each station includes Scripture reflections, a meditation and prayer from Catherine, and common public prayers-accompanied by the wood carvings of the Stations that appear in the Madonna House chapel in Combermere.