Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881

St Andrew's Church, Taunton

Reader Katharine's book 'The Way of the Cross'

now published

28 January 2007

Reader at St. Andrew's Church Katharine Smith has just had her first book 'The Way of the Cross - Meditations on the Death of Jesus' published by Redemptorist Publications. The meditations are illustrated with striking original artwork by Katharine's brother, George Boxley.  The 15 meditations "take us through the Passion of Jesus, encouraging us to face the reality of the cross and our own reaction to it".  They are designed for use in conjunction with "The Way of the Cross" in Common Worship: Times and Seasons but can also be used independently.

Katharine writes about the book:

"Each year, as we tell the last week of Jesus' life, we tell the story of the light of the world shining even in the darkness of fear, hate, injustice and cruelty.   Jesus calls us to be lights in this world.  During Lent and Passiontide we can learn from watching and listening to Jesus as

he shows what true light looks like in some of the darkest places in this world.

As we tell again the story of our Lord's Passion, it may be that it unfolds to us a little more of the mystery of the suffering and death of our incarnate God, the triumph of his redemptive love and his power to heal us and to bring us to fullness of life as children of God.

I hope that these readings, meditations and prayers will open up ways of exploring the events they portray.  They are not written to provide answers but rather to raise more questions and to hold those questions in the light of Christ, the light of the world."

Suggestions for using the book

The book is not intended to be used in any particular way but these suggestions may be helpful.   The scripture readings and prayers are taken from "The Way of the Cross" in Times and Seasons (published by Church House Publishing) and the meditations are written to complement this liturgy.

As there are 15 Bible readings, meditations and prayers it could offer daily readings for individual use from the Second Sunday before Easter, when Passiontide begins, through to Easter Sunday.

Some or all of the Stations could be used in Lent groups or services to introduce a time of meditation and prayer.

About Katharine

The author grew up in London and is now a Reader here at St. Andrew's Church Taunton.  She is a regular contributor to Sunday Link and Common Worship Living Word (both published by Redemptorist Publications). Katharine lives with her husband Adrian, and three cats and works for a national children's charity.  She enjoys the American TV drama The West Wing, Paul Simon's music and visiting Venice as often as possible.

About George

George Boxley is a multimedia training designer by day.  He lives in West London with his wife - a jeweller - and two teenage daughters - one a photographer and one an athlete.  Given the chance, he would like to live in New York or Richmond Park, and to play the saxophone a lot better than he does.  He is also Katharine's younger brother.

Review of the book - click here

Buy the book

In Taunton, the book is available from Good News Christian Bookshop, Brendon Books and St. Mary Magdalene Bookshop. In Bristol, it may be purchased from SPCK. To buy online please click here

Illustrations and book cover © 2007 Redemptorist Publications

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