The Stations of the Cross from the perspective of Mary Magdalene come to life with photos of the actual sites on the Via Dolorosa, historical and archeological references and beautiful Reflections and Prayers.
In a fresh take on the Stations of the Cross, this version gives a human voice - and a female voice, that of Mary Magdalene - to the Stations, interweaving with history, archeology and photos of the actual sites on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, today. The result is a profound and beautiful experience that touches the heart and enriches the mind - exactly what the originators of the Stations wanted those who undertook this spiritual exercise to achieve.
By humanizing the Stations and bringing them to life, the book offers a primer on dealing with adversity - with perseverance, grace and hope. Readers will encounter Mary Magdalene, Simon of Cyrene, Veronica and Joseph of Arimathea - all of whom were ordinary people that stepped up in a crisis and did something noble, even if it was something small. Each of the fourteen Stations has been designed to allow readers to tap into that nobility.
The book largely avoids the debate over
who
Mary Magdalene was - the penitent prostitute of European art or the secret wife of the DaVinci Code - and focuses instead on
what
she was: A strong, courageous, loyal and determined woman who was virtually unstoppable at the time of the crucifixion! A saint for the 21
st
century.
It also highlights recent archeological discoveries at Magdala, Israel which provide new insights about Mary Magdalene's life there, including a first century synagogue where Jesus undoubtedly taught and a Jewish purification bath (or miqva'ot) she may even have used, herself. A portion of the proceeds from this book will help to fund ongoing archeology at the Magdala site and the Magdala Project, which honors the Women of the New Testament and all women of faith today.