Msgr. Ravasi, an expert in Bible and Hebrew studies, is professor of biblical exegesis at the Faculty of Theology of Northern Italy, and a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. A sample of his writing – an article on "The Master in the Bible."
Vatican: Msgr Gianfranco Ravasi, prefect of Ambrosian Library in Milan and professor of biblical exegesis at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, is an author of this year’s Way of the Cross. He was born in 1942 and ordained a priest of the diocese of Milan in 1966. He has written some 50 scholar books on biblical science and exegesis, among them commentaries on the Old Testament books of Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Psalms or the New Testament Apocalypse, and letters to Romans and Corinthians. In 1995, he was appointed a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission
At the Vatican website, the introductory "Presentation."
For centuries Christians have retraced the steps of the Via Crucis, a path that leads to the hill of the crucifixion, with their gaze fixed on its ultimate goal, the light of Easter. They have made that journey as pilgrims along that same street in Jerusalem, but also in their cities, their churches and their homes. For centuries writers and artists, both famous and forgotten, have sought to touch the hearts of the faithful by bringing to life those steps or “stations”, making them moments of meditation along the way to Golgotha. They have painted pictures ranging from the striking to the ordinary, from the sublime to the simple, from the dramatic to the plain and unaffected.
In Rome, this spiritual journey in the footsteps of Jesus sets out anew each Good Friday, led by the Pope, the Bishop of this City and the universal pastor, in union with Christians the world over. This year’s reflections for each station are narrative and meditative in character, and follow the story of the Passion as recounted by the Evangelist Saint Luke. They have been written by a biblist, Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, prefect of the Ambrosian Library and Gallery in Milan, a cultural institution founded four centuries ago by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, Archbishop of that city and a cousin of Saint Charles Borromeo. A century ago, among its prefects, was Achille Ratti, the future Pope Pius XI.
Let us now begin together this journey of prayer, not simply for the sake of remembering past events and a tragic death, but to experience the crude realism of a story which nonetheless speaks of hope, joy and salvation. Perhaps others who are still searching, uncertain and troubled will make this journey alongside us. And as we make our way, step by step, along this path of suffering and of light, we will be able to hear an echo of the stirring words of the Apostle Paul: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory?… But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Cor 15:54-55, 57).
EWTN will show it, tape-delayed at 8 eastern.
The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion will be at 5 Rome time, 11 eastern, from St. Peter’s. Watch the Vatican feed here . EWTN will show it live.
Here is a list (in Italian) of those who will be carrying the cross tonight.
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