Dear Mary,
You said:
- When and why are there now 15 Stations of the Cross when there only use to be 14 Stations?
I attended stations today and there is all of a sudden the 15th station: the Resurrection.
As to the history of the Stations of the Cross, I found this article by Father William Saunders enlightening.
Due to intrinsic relationship between the Passion and Death of our Lord with His Glorious Resurrection, Pope St. John Paul II added the 15th Station in the year 2000. This is currently reflected in all the parish's devotional pamphlets: The Way of the Cross.
You may also find these postings interesting reading:
You said:
The song after the 15th station was 'Mary Immaculate', there was no Benediction, and all the readings were about Mary's suffering.
I am just a little confused.
The pastoral practices at any given Catholic parish will vary from pastor to pastor based on his personal spiritual upbringing and what time allows him to do. I certainly see no problems with readings on the sufferings of Mary.
- How do you think any mother would feel, whose son was just crucified?
Mary's cooperation with her Son's plan to redeem mankind was key to our salvation, just as our cooperation, in bringing others to Jesus, is key to them receiving the full, complete Catholic Gospel.
- When we bring others to Jesus, are we undermining the Sole Mediation of Christ?
<I don't think so.>
I hope this helps,
Mike
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