Fourth Sorrowful Mysteries
Carrying of the Cross: Perseverance in Trials
Narrative:
The Carrying of the Cross
1. One condemned to death by crucifixion is forced to carry the cross to the place of execution.
2. The suffering of Jesus is intense as the cross is laid on His bruised and wounded back and shoulders.
3. Weak and exhausted from loss of blood, lack of food and rest, Jesus falls three times under the cross.
4. Jesus meets His afflicted Mother causing untold anguish in the Hearts of Son and Mother.
5. The countenance of Jesus is disfigured with blood and sweat, with dust and spittle.
6. Veronica wipes His face, leaving on her towel the image of His countenance.
7. Fearing that Jesus might die on the way, the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind Jesus.
8. Jesus speaks to weeping women: “Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and your children.”
9. “If anyone is to be My disciple, let him take up his cross and follow Me.”
10. Father, by the merits of this painful journey to Calvary, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit
Perseverance in Trials
1. Prayers
2. Knowing its Worthwhile
3. Endurance
4. Do Good and Suffer Evil
5. Docile to the Father's will
[1. Prayers]
"We must pray incessantly for the gift of perseverance."
-St. Philip Neri
"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen."
-St. Thomas Aquinas
"By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen."
-taken from the Chaplet of St. Michael
"Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit."
-St. John of the Cross
"Don't worry to the point of losing your inner peace. Pray with perseverance, with faith, with calmness and serenity."
-St. Padre Pio
[2. Knowing its Worthwhile]
"What toil we must endure, what fatigue, while we are attempting to climb hills and the summits of mountains! What, that we may ascend to heaven! If you consider the promised reward, what you endure is less. Immortality is given to the one who perseveres; everlasting life is offered; the Lord promises His Kingdom."
-St. Cyprian of Carthage
"You think it very hard to lead a life of such restraint unless you keep your eye of faith always open. Perseverance is a great grace. To go on gaining and advancing every day, we must be resolute, and bear and suffer as our blessed forerunners did. Which of them gained heaven without a struggle?"
-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
[3. Endurance]
"The principal act of courage is to endure and withstand dangers doggedly rather than to attack them."
-St. Thomas Aquinas
"Vigils, prayer and patient acceptance of what comes constitute a breaking that does not harm but benefits the heart, provided we do not destroy the balance between them through excess. He who perseveres in them will be helped in other ways as well; but he who is slack and negligent will suffer intolerably on leaving this life"
-St. Mark the Ascetic
"Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring."
-St. Catherine of Siena
"Let us think only of spending the present day well. Then, when tomorrow shall have come, it will be called TODAY and then, we will think about it."
-St Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church
[4. Do good and suffer evil]
"So blessed are you if you persevere in doing good, neither seeking nor desiring any consolation, for as St. Bernard says: To serve God is nothing else than to do good and suffer evil, and the rule of the true servant of Christ is never to receive consolation except in time of great necessity. This is the secure way; for whoever wants to go to God through sweetness and consolation is deceived."
-St. Catherine of Bologna
[5. Docile to the Father's will]
"The way Jesus shows you is not easy. Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper the road, the faster it rises towards ever wider horizons. May Mary, Star of Evangelization, guide you! Docile like her to the Father’s will, take the stages of history as mature and convincing witnesses."
-Pope St. John Paul II; Message for XI World Youth Day, 26 November 1995
