These Stations of the Cross began not as a formal project, but as a deeply personal prayer. Br. Norbert Friedel, CP (1938-1991), first wrote them by hand on simple sheets of a legal pad, reflecting on the Passion through the lens of his own spiritual journey, shaped in part by his experience with the 12 Step tradition. They were never intended for publication or wide distribution—only as an honest expression of his prayer before God.
Recognizing their depth and sincerity, Fr. Emil Womack, CP, and I, along with members of the Citrus Heights retreat staff, encouraged Br. Norbert to refine the wording. With our support, the prayers were gently “polished,” while still preserving their original spirit and voice.
Eventually, Br. Norbert agreed to share them with participants at 12 Step retreats. The response was immediate and heartfelt—retreatants found in these reflections something authentic, relatable, and spiritually powerful.
Over time, what began as a private devotion has quietly spread. Hundreds of copies have been shared with a wide variety of people, consistently meeting with gratitude and appreciation.
Though their reach has grown, these Stations remain rooted in their original purpose: a personal encounter with Christ’s suffering, seen through the eyes of one who sought healing, surrender, and grace.
This file is designed to print back-to-back on an 8.5 x 11 paper, then cut to 5.5 x 8.5 and folded in half to create a small booklet.
