Thirteenth station

Waiting with Mary the Holy Spirit 

P  We adore, O Risen Christ, and we bless you.
A  Because by your resurrection you have given life to the world.

R From the Acts of the Apostles (Act 1,12-14)
Then they (the apostles) returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away; and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

G1 Waiting for the Spirit. Coming down from the mountain, they enter in prayer. Jesus is no longer visible. The cloud of the ascension has placed him in glory. The Risen Christ is no longer visible to the human eyes but only to those of faith. Easter community implores for the Spirit. He is now awaited with his gifts. The Church will be born and begin her journey as missionary of the Risen one. Invoking Holy Spirit is always effective. In fact Jesus guaranteed: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Lk 11,13). Since then and forever Easter community is assembled in the name of the Risen Christ, and in his presence, it implores the Father for the Holy Spirit of love, who renews the face of earth. And it is a perennial Pentecost. The Easter prayer is marked by the presence of Mary, Jesus' Mother; already present at the supper, where the first group starts seeing the signs; present on Calvary, where the Church is at the planning stage; now present in the Upper Room, where the Church is born. Mary is an expert in the Easter mystery: death and life, cross and resurrection.

G2 The man of today distracted by the passing shadows and allured to cross the paths of death, tends to forget about God. A light shines at this turning-point. It is the Church desired by Christ to save all those who seek salvation. It is the Church, assembled in prayer with perseverance. It is the XX century young Church that speaks to those who are young in age and in spirit. The world, with its logic contrary to the beatitudes, takes man away from God. Instead the Church, that is transparency of Christ, brings him to God again. The experience of the the Upper Room brings about a new culture of life.

A  Rejoice, O Virgin Mother Mary:
    Christ is risen, Alleluia.

P O Jesus risen from death, always present in your Easter community ,through the intercession of Mary, pour forth on us, here and now, your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Father: the Spirit of life, the Spirit of joy, the Spirit of peace, the Spirit of strength, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of Easter.
A  Amen.

A  O Mary, temple  of the Holy Spirit
    guide us, the witnesses to the Risen Christ
    on the path of light.