Photographic Meditation on the Texts of the Outdoor Stations of the Cross at Christ in the Desert

The Latin text on each cross is translated into the English of the Biblical texts.

I

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Jesum autem flagellatum tradidit, ut crucifegeretur. Mt 27:26

Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

II

JESUS RECEIVES THE CROSS

Vere languores nostros ipse tulit et dolores nostros ipse portavit; et nos putavimus eum quasi plagatum, percussum a Deo et humiliatrum. Is 53:4

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

III

JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

Ipse autem vulneratus est propter iniquitates nostras, attritus est propter scelera nostra; disciplina pacis nostrae super eum, et livore eius sanati sumus. Is 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole and with his stripes we are healed.

IV

JESUS IS MET BY HIS BLESSED MOTHER

Et tuam ipsius animam pertransiet gladius – ut revelentur ex multis cordibus cogitationes. Lk 2:35

And a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.

V

THE CROSS IS LAID UPON SIMON OF CYRENE

Tunc Jesus dixit discipulis suis: “Si quis vult post me venire, abneget semetipsum et tollat crucem suam et sequatur me.” Mt 16:24

If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

VI

VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

Sicut obstupuerunt super eum multi, sic deformis erat, quasi non esset hominis species eius, filiorum hominis aspectus eius. Is 52:14

As many were astonished at him – his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men.

VII

JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

No erit tristis neque turbulentus. Is 42:4

He will not fall or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth.

VIII

THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM MOURN FOR OUR LORD

Filiae Jerusalem, nolite flere super me, sed super vos ipsas flete et super filios vestros. Lk 23:28

Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

IX

JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

Pro eo quod laboravit anima eius videbit et saturabitur in scientia sua. Justificabit iustus servus meus multos et iniquitates eorum ipse portabit. Is 53:11

He shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.

X

JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

Diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea et super vestem mean miserunt sortem. Ps 21:19 (22:18)

They divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots.

XI

JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

Et ego, si exaltatus fuero a terra, omnes traham ad meipsum. Jn 12:32

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.

XII

JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum. Lk 23:46

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

XIII

JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

Et dabit impios pro seputura et divitem pro morte sua eo quod iniquitatem non fecerit, neque dolus fuerit in ore eius. Is 53:9

And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

XIV

JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHRE

Nisi granum frumenti cadens in terram mortuum fuerit, ipsum solum manet; si autem mortuum fuerit, multum fructum affert. Jn 12:24-25

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.