STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The Stations of the Cross, also known as "The Way of the Cross" is a devotion performed by meditating on the Passion and Sufferings of Christ.  The Stations can be either a series of simple wooden crosses or scenes depicting the way.  Normally you will find them mounted on the interior walls of a church, although they may be erected anywhere; e.g., outside along a pathway.  The pictures or representations depict various scenes from Christ's Via Crucis; Are aids to devotion on the traditional Stations. 

The person making the Way of the Cross passes before each Station, or stopping point, and pauses at each for a brief meditation on the theme.  Most Catholic Churches, during Lent will have a prayer service on the Stations of the Cross.  When the Stations are said in a group, only the leader has to pass from Station to Station.  Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father is required for gaining the indulgence granted for the Stations.

Anyone who is unable to make the Stations in the ordinary manner, either impeded from visiting a church, or a place where the Stations are, can still practice the devotion by meditating on the sufferings of Christ; Praying the Our Father, Hail Mary and the Glory for each Station and 5 times in commemoration of the wounds of Christ; and praying for the intentions of the pope.  This practice has involved the use of a "Stations Crucifix".

The Stations originated, remotely, from the practice of Holy Land pilgrims who visited the actual scenes of incidents in the Passion of Christ.  Representation elsewhere of at least some of these scenes were known as early as the fifth century.  Later, the Stations evolved in connection with and as a consequence of strong devotion to the Passion in the 12th & 13th centuries. Franciscans, who were give custody of the Holy Places in 1342, promoted the devotion widely; one of them, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, became known as the greatest preacher of the Way of the Cross in the 18th century.  The general features of the devotion were fixed by Pope Clement XII in 1731.

The most important reason for reviving the practice of making the Stations of the Cross is that it is a powerful way to contemplate, and enter into, the mystery of Jesus' gift of himself to us.  One of our common religious struggles is to realize that we are not alone.  The Good News is that Jesus entered into our life's experience completely - even suffering and death - and that he fell into the hands of a Loving God, who raised him from death to life.  We can have complete hope that suffering and death have no complete hold on us.  We will all share eternal life with him, if we can fall into the hands of the same Loving God.  And, along the way, we are not alone.  Jesus is with as one who knows our suffering, and the death we face.  That can be deeply consoling.

This is prayer not an intellectual exercise.  It is in the context of my relationship with God.  One could read through the text of each of the stations, and look at the pictures, but that wouldn't necessarily be prayer.  This is an invitation to enter into a gifted faith experience of who Jesus is for me.  It becomes prayer when I open my heart to be touched, and it leads me to express my response in prayer. These exercises can allow me to imaginatively visualize the "meaning" of his passion and death.

The point of this exercise is to lead us to gratitude.  It will also lead us into a sense of solidarity with all our brothers and sisters.  In our busy lives we can easily get out of touch with the terrible suffering of real people in the world.  Journeying with Jesus in the Stations, allows us to imagine his entry into the experience of those who are tortured, unjustly accused or victimized, sitting on death row, carrying impossible burdens, facing terminal illnesses, or simply fatigued with life.

A plenary indulgence is gained, once a day, for making the Way of the Cross. But it is only necessary for a person to move from one Station to the next and "nothing more is required than a pious meditation on the Passion and Death of the Lord, which need not be a particular consideration of the individual mysteries of the Stations."

BEGINNING THE STATIONS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

AN ACT OF CONTRITION: Oh my God I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Opening Prayer: O God, we are about to walk with your Son through the stages of His suffering and death. We know that Jesus' sacrifice gave us the name Christian. We know that Jesus saved us and brought us new life through His sacrifice on the cross and His rising from the dead three days later. Help us to understand a little better and to love a little more. Help us to live more unselfish lives. Open our minds to help us see how we can better follow in Jesus' footsteps. We ask this through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Prayer: Let Us Pray for the Intentions of the Holy Father:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

I. First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."  He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress.  Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death.   Remain here and keep watch with me."  He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the Cross.
 

LET US PRAY

My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins that condemned You to die. I beseech You, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity. I love You, my beloved Jesus; I love You more than myself; I repent with my whole heart for having offended You. Never permit me to separate myself from You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will. 

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

II. Second Station: Jesus Bears His Heavy Cross

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus, in making this journey with the Cross on His shoulders thought of us, and for us offered to His Father the death that He was about to undergo.

LET US PRAY

My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations You have destined for me until death. I beseech You, by the merits of the pain You did suffer in carrying Your Cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love You, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to separate myself from You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

III. Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider this first fall of Jesus under His Cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey.

LET US PRAY

My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the Cross, but my sins, which have made You suffer so much pain. Ah, by the merits of this
first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. I love You, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended
You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

IV. Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.

LET US PRAY

My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow You did experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Your most holy Mother. And you my Queen, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by your intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of your Son. I love You, Jesus my love; I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

V. Fifth Station: Jesus is helped by Simon

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how the soldiers, seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way, when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the Cross, constrained Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross behind our Lord.

LET US PRAY

My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the Cross, as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death You have destined for me; with all the pains that may accompany it; I unite it to Your death, I offer it to You. You have died for love of me; I will die for love of You, and to please You. Help me by Your grace. I love You, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

VI. Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel, with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.

LET US PRAY

My most beloved Jesus, Your face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas, my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Your grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins; You alone, my Redeemer, can restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Your Passion; O Jesus. I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

VII. Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider the second fall of Jesus under the Cross - a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of the head and members of our afflicted Lord.

LET US PRAY

My most gentle Jesus, how many times You have pardoned me, and how many times I have fallen again, and begun again to offend You! Oh, by the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary help to persevere in Your grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assail me I may always commend myself to You. I love You, Jesus my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

VIII. Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how these women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in such a pitiable state, streaming with blood, as he walked along. But Jesus said to them: "Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and for your children."

LET US PRAY

My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses I have committed against You, because of the pains they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure they have caused You, who has loved me so much. It is Your love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love You more than myself; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

IX. Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the excessive cruelty of His executioners, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely the strength to move.

LET US PRAY

Ah, my outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness You did suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect, and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise Your friendship. I love You, Jesus my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

X. Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His torn flesh, and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them. Have compassion on your Savior thus cruelly treated.

LET US PRAY

My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment You have felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in You, who are so worthy of my love. I love You, O Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

XI. Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus, after being thrown on the Cross, extended His hands, and offered to His Eternal Father the sacrifice of His death for our salvation. These barbarians fastened Him with nails, and then, raising the Cross, allowed Him to die with anguish on this infamous knoll.

LET US PRAY

Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself on my knees in Your sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beseech You that You would impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm desire of amendment, while with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate Your five most precious Wounds; having before my eyes that which David spoke in prophecy: "They pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones."  My Jesus, loaded down by our contempt, nail my heart to Your feet, that it may ever remain there, to love You, and never quit You again. I love You more than myself; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

 
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

XII. Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how our Jesus, after three hours' Agony on the Cross, consumed at length with anguish, abandoned Himself to the weight of His body, bowed His head, and died.

LET US PRAY

O My Jesus, I kiss devoutly the Cross on which You did die for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death; but Your death is my hope. Ah, by the merits of Your death, give me grace to die, embracing Your feet, and burning with love for You. I yield my soul into your hands. I love You with my whole heart; I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

XIII. Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how, after the death of our Lord, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Him down from the Cross, and placed Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with unutterable tenderness, and pressed Him to her heart.

LET US PRAY

O Mother of sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for your servant, and pray to Him for me. And You, my Redeemer, since You have died for me, permit me to love You; for I wish but You, and nothing more. I love You, my Jesus, and I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

XIV. Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Consider how the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by His holy Mother, who arranged it in the tomb with her own hands. They then closed the tomb, and all drew sorrowfully away.

LET US PRAY

Oh, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses You. But You did rise again the third day. I beseech You, by Your Resurrection, make me rise glorious with You at the last day, to be always united with You in heaven, to praise You and love You forever. I love You, and I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

XV. 15th Station: The Resurrection of Jesus

V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.  Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.  They were saying to one another, "Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"  When they looked up, they saw that the very large stone had been rolled back.  On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed.  He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.

Let Us Pray: (Apostles Creed)

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And born of the Virgin Mary
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven and

 is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again

to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Catholic Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Dear Jesus, by the merits of your passion and cross, we present to you all our petitions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites earth and heaven and reconciles all people to you. May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

LEARNING CHRIST

Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life; in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.  Let me put myself aside, to think of the happiness of others, to hide my little pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.  Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes across my path.  Let me so use it that it may mellow me, not harden nor embitter me; that it may make me patient, not irritable; that it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty and over-bearing.  May no one be less good for having come within my influence. No one less pure, less kind, less noble for having been a fellow-traveler in our journey toward eternal life.  As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, let me whisper, from time to time, a word of love to You. May my life be lived in the supernatural, full of power and good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity. AMEN.