Book Review: ‘The Stations of the Cross in Slow Motion’

Lent is a 40-day liturgical season of fasting, special prayer and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. Pope Francis recently suggested that “Lent immerses us in a bath of purification and it means looking within ourselves and acknowledging our real identity, removing the masks we so often wear, slowing the frantic pace of our lives and embracing the truth of who we are.”

Oh my! Suzan Sammons in her new book, “The Stations of the Cross in Slow Motion,” has given us a wonderful gift that can help us use a Station of the Cross each day during Lent versus only using it on Fridays. 

Sammons, writer, editor, and homeschooling mother of seven, provides us with this fantastic daily, easy-to-use devotional that invites us to slow down and linger in prayer, reflection and mediation upon each of the 14 Stations of the Cross. 

Says Crisis Magazine, “Drawn from the writings of the Church Fathers and prayers of various saints, these Lenten meditations explore the depths of each station to enliven your experience in in the desert.”

The content for each station consists of a title page with a beautiful illustration of the scene and a theme that is set for reflection. The devotional is designed for you to spend from two to four days at each station. For each day there is a quotation from a saint, relevant scripture, words to stimulate meditation and a few questions that might help with reflection.

For example, the eighth station – when Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem – consists of three days of devotional material. However, with “slow motion,” this content can be used for all seven days of the fourth week of Lent.

Having the quotations and prayers from saints and the reflection questions deepened my consciousness for Jesus’ sacrifice. This helped put me at the cross with him feeling sorrow and helplessness knowing that his death was for my salvation. 

Since my conversion to Catholicism 42 years ago, Lent has become my favorite season in the Catholic tradition. Reading “The Stations of the Cross in Slow Motion” has definitely enriched my experience spending time immersing myself in the bath of purification and embracing the truth of who I am, while growing in appreciation for the sacrifice Christ made for me. 

This devotional is designed to be used privately or as a tool for walking the whole family through the sacred season of Lent and I highly recommend it for everyone. 

Though you may be reading this review while we are well into Lent, it isn’t too late to acquire a copy this wonderful book and heighten your Lenten spiritual journey.