This little book upon the Stations of the Cross explains itself sufficiently to dispense with any lengthy preface. Although its purpose is mainly historical, it will not, I trust, be found so devoid of edification as to be unsuitable for Lenten reading. That devotional attitude of mind on the part of our forefathers which is illustrated in the following pages may be full of naïvete and is sometimes even grotesque in its extreme literalness and credulity, but there is nothing in it which need scandalize the most sensitive. On the contrary, it is impossible to come into close contact with the thought of the religious teachers of that age without being deeply impressed by their nearness to the world of spirit and by the intense reality of their personal devotion to our Lord and His Blessed Mother. The legendary element no doubt is always present in some measure, but it is for the most part devoid of offence. Upon the true Catholic attitude towards this feature, which appears in so many of our most venerated practices of piety, I may refer the reader to some remarks which will be found later on at the beginning of Chapter VII (p.136).