Information on the stations and indulgences from 1909.For the stations only you could gain multiply plenary indulgences, as stated below, keep one for yourself and give the rest to the souls in purgatory. The Chaplet of the Way of the CrossOf the Archconfraternity of the Holy Agony
Approved by Pius IX in 1864. And also by Pius X in 1906.
“ Thy Will be Done “The Way of the Cross is a devotion dear to souls devoted to the Passion of our Lord : most salutary to those who practice it and of all devotions in the Church the most richly indulgenced. These indulgences are applicable to the souls in Purgatory.
HISTORY OF THE CHAPLETS OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS.
It was the servant of God, Louise Borgiotto called “ Louise of the Crucifix ” whom our Lord inspired with the idea of this Chaplet or “ Crown of the Way of the Cross ”, because of her devotion to His sorrows in the Garden of Gethsemani and also to the Way of His Cross.
“ Louise of the Crucifix ” lived at Turin 1802-1873 and was foundress of the Nazarene Sisters.Her life and death were so holy, her sanctity so widespread, that the cause of her beatification has been undertaken by Cardinal Richelmy, Archbishop of Turin.“ Louise of the Crucifix ” a devout adorer of The Passion, had in the chapel of the priests of the Congregations of the Mission, for here director one of these sons of the great St. Vincent de Paul, who cultured in her soul an intense devotion to the Holy Agony of Jesus. It was also a priest of the Congregation of the Mission, now the present Bishop of Aosta, who obtained from Pius X, 1906, an augmentation of favors already granted Chaplets of the Way of the Cross by Pius IX, 1864.EXCELLENCE OF THE CHAPLET OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
The origin and approbation of the Holy See demonstrates how precious is this Chaplet, but in particular its excellence is shown from this.1st. The numerous and precious Indulgences which are attached to it. These are the same Indulgences that are attached to the canonically erected Stations, or rather those granted to the faithful who visit in person the Stations at Jerusalem. The Indulgences are so great that the Sovereign Pontiffs have forbidden preachers to enumerate or to specify them. as many of them are Plenary, it is well in making the Way of the Cross to gain one for one’s self, applying the rest to the souls in Purgatory. The indulgences of the Way of the Cross may be gained each time it is made.2nd. The great ease with which one may gain these Indulgences. To acquire such a treasure, one need not make a pilgrimage to the Holy Places, nor visit the Stations of Calvary, it is not even required to visit a Church where the Stations of the “ Via Crucis ” are canonically erected, a slight obstacle occasioned by illness, or the duties of one’s state, or by other reasonable motive is sufficient to enable one to gain these indulgences, by using the Chaplets of the Way of the Cross.Consider how the sick, those detained at home by household cares, those who toss at night impatiently awaiting slumber, though they may be unable to go to church may unite their sufferings to those of our Divine Redeemer, and if they but devote a few minutes to the recitation of this Chaplet may gain the tremendous Indulgences of the Way of the Cross.Pope Pius X, himself, when offered one of these Chaplets, took it in his hands, he kissed it, exclaiming, “ I will keep it as a precious treasure ”.This chaplet of the Stations is composed of fourteen oval medals, representing the fourteen Stations of the Cross, each connected by three separate beads; a heart and six beads join the Chaplet to the Crucifix.Those who devoutly recite this Chaplet may gain the same indulgences that are attached to making the Way of the Cross in those churches where the Stations are canonically erected.In order to gain the indulgences of the Way of the Cross, in saying this Chaplet, it is necessary :1st. That one cannot make the Stations in a Church or Chapel where they are erected. A slight inconvenience, however, is sufficient, especially for women and mothers of families, as was declared by His Holiness Pius IX.2nd. That at each Station the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father be recited once, and at the end, after the fourteen Stations are finished the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father five times, in honor of the Five Wounds of our Lord and then one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.Commence as usual with the Sign of the Cross. Then say a fervent Act of Contrition. Then say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father three times on the three beads which precede the First Station, in honor of the three hours of Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
At each medal recall the mystery it represents, for instance : First Station, Jesus is condemned to death ; and recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory be to the Father on the three beads that follow. Second Station, Jesus carries His Cross ; Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, and so on to the end.
It is an excellent practice to meditate a few moments on the particular Station of the Passion indicated on each medal, but this is not necessary to gain the indulgences. Neither is it absolutely necessary to say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father three times, in honor of the three-hour Agony of Our Saviour in the Garden of Olives.
+ PHILIPPE Cardinal de Angelis, Arch. Of Fermo.FACTS CONCERNING THE CHAPLET OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
1st. The power of conferring Indulgences on this Chaplet was granted by His Holiness Pius X on November 2nd, 1906, to the Priests of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) : to all the directors of the aggregated Confraternities of the Holy Agony, and to all priests who are promoters of zealators of the Archconfraternity of Paris. A simple Sign of the Cross is ritually sufficient for indulgencing Chaplets.
The General Director of the Archconfraternity will gladly confer the title Zealator on any priest who desires earnestly to work for the spreading of the devotion of the Holy Agony.
2nd. The cross may be replaced by another, the beads and medals may be strung on another chain, and even a few beads, which may happen to be broken or lost, may be renewed, without losing the Indulgences.
3rd. The indulgences on the Chaplets are personal, that is, the Chaplets may not be given away or loaned by the owner to another person after being used, without losing the indulgences. Before they have been used, however, one may give gratis these blessed and indulgenced Chaplets. After they are blessed, no price may be accepted for them, even if spontaneously offered.
4th. After being blessed, they may not be sold, but they can be blessed and indulgenced before being sent to places where there are no Vincentians, nor Directors nor Priest Promoters nor Zealators of the Holy Agony, if they are intended for certain determinate persons.
They must be ordered, however, before being blessed, even if not paid for when ordering.
Boston, Jan. 22, 1909.
+ IMPRIMATUR WILLIAM,
FACTS CONCERNING THE CRUCIFIX OF THE CHAPLETS OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
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If one cannot easily have the indulgences conferred on the Chaplet of the Way of the Cross, can have it blessed ; and have the indulgences of the Way of the Cross conferred on the Crucifix. In that case, the Chaplet is used as a guide and the same indulgences of the Way of the Cross are obtained, as though the Chaplet had been indulged to that effect.
With respect to the Crucifix : -- It must be of a solid and durable metal (Sc. Cong. Aug. 8, 1859). The indulgences are conferred on the Corpus, so that it can be transferred from one cross to another whatever.