As we anticipate Holy Week, I wanted to share with you a new CD that is sure to become a family treasure. Praying The Way of the Cross CD: Featuring Liam Neeson has recently been released by Little Lamb Music.

Following the tragic death of Mr. Neeson’s lovely wife, Natasha Richardson, I was very moved by the coverage which focused upon their close and loving relationship.

Around the same time, I received this lovely CD for review. Here’s a brief overview of the project from its producer:

Neeson reads the Introduction, written by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori, and the 14 Stations of the Cross. The 14 Stations and prayers are taken from the classic text, The Way of the Cross according to the Method of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the great 18th century Italian saint, doctor of the Church and founder of the Redemptorists. This text is used by Catholics around the world to retrace the footsteps of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. Reverend Byron Miller, C.Ss.R. leads us in prayer.

“I had heard about the Redemptorists and their missionary work in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil and in the slums of Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria,” Liam Neeson said. “I was moved to help because the Redemptorists are living the Gospel message in some of the poorest parts of the world, offering hope to families who have been forgotten or abandoned.”

Praying the Way of the Cross is the third CD produced for the Redemptorists of the Denver Province by Ray and Theresa Herrmann, co-founders of Little Lamb Music. In 2007 and 2008, respectively, they produced Praying the Rosary with St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori and Praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary with St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori. The saint’s music is produced, arranged and performed on all three CDs by the Herrmanns and other musicians and vocalists from some of the world’s finest orchestras and choral groups. Ray and Theresa started Little Lamb Music in 2006 with their first release, Little Lamb Lullabies. Little Lamb Music is dedicated to providing families with high-quality Catholic music.

On hearing Liam in the studio, Ray Herrmann said, “I was deeply moved by Liam’s reading of the words of St. Alphonsus. It was so beautifully done. And I feel very proud to be a part of this production, one that celebrates Good Friday with the voice of one of the world’s greatest actors with the sacred hymns and prayers of this great saint of the Church.”

I have greatly enjoyed listening to this recording of the stations. The music is movingly beautiful and the narrations by Liam Neeson and Rev. Byron Miller are respectful and inspirational. If you would like to listen to sample tracks of the project, visit the Liguori Publications website. The CD retails for $16.95 and is available for purchase online here.

We most frequently think of praying the Way of the Cross during Lent, but with this wonderful resource I know that I’ll be looking forward to praying the Stations all year long. Do you and your family have a devotion to the Way of the Cross? When and where do you pray this special devotion?