The Bearing of the Cross is the fourth sorrowful mystery of the rosary. It is part of the mysteries of the rosary that have been meditated on since the origin of the rosary. The sorrowful mysteries allow us to meditate on the passion of Christ. It is also an aid in hard times. We can especially recite the Sorrowful Mysteries to ask for the strength to continue moving forward despite the trials.
The four evangelists allow us to read the passion of Christ. We can also complete our reading with the prophetic verses of Isaiah announcing the sufferings of Jesus.
“Actually, it was our pain he bore, our suffering he carried. We thought he was being punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)
When they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.” (Matthew 27:31-34)
The carrying of the cross is meditated on with the other sorrowful mysteries on Friday, the day of the death of Christ. The other mysteries are: the agony of Jesus, the whipping, the crowning of thorns, and the crucifixion.
The fruit of this mystery is patience through challenges. The Church invites us to go through the trials of our lives, always keeping in mind that we are not alone and that Christ has suffered for us and walks by our side. For example, we can take the time to meditate on the sorrowful mysteries with a sick person.
In order to heal us, Jesus does not remain external to the suffering experienced; He alleviates it by coming to dwell in the one who is afflicted by the disease, to bear it and live it with him. The presence of Christ breaks the isolation caused by pain. Man no longer bears his ordeal alone, but is conformed to Christ who offers himself to the Father, as a suffering member of Christ, and participates, in him, in the birth of the new creation.” (Benedict XVI)
“Our Lord is our Model: let us take up our cross and follow Him. If you fear that courage is lacking in you, look to the Cross where Jesus Christ died, and you will see that courage will not fail you.” (Saint Curé d’Ars)
You can continue to pray the rosary by signing up for prayer communities on Hozana. Saint Bernadette and Saint John Paul II are saints familiar with suffering, and they can accompany you with the meditations they have written.
You can also download the Rosario application, created by Hozana. This application allows you to pray the rosary according to your preferences with different meditations alone, in groups, or in audio.