The Stations of the Cross are most commonly prayed during Lent, particularly on Fridays, especially Good Friday, but can be prayed anytime in the prayer garden. Use the traditional, scriptural, or family prayer version:
By Fr. Patrick, Teresa Runyon, Brett Becker
Traditional Stations of the CrossFollows the 14 traditional events, depicted in our garden.
Traditional Version
First Station: Jesus Is Condemned to Death We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. The entire assembly rose up and led Jesus before Pilate. They started his prosecution by saying. “We found this man subverting our nation and calling himself the Messiah, a king.” They demanded with loud cries that he be crucified and their shouts increased in violence. Pilate then decreed that what they demanded should be done. It is too late for Jesus to be quiet. He has spoken too much; He has made the comfortable, uncomfortable. He called the bitter people a brood of vipers, told them that their hearts were whitened sepulchers with fine exteriors. Jesus chose the decaying lepers, spoke fearlessly with unacceptable· strangers, ate with notorious sinners, and said that prostitutes would be first in Paradise. His interpretation of the Law summarized it in the great commandments to love. Now the self- righteous are avenging themselves. They have taken steps against Jesus; they have approached the authorities, and action will follow. Lord, I know that if I try to live like You, I may also be condemned by others as you were. I am afraid, and yet, Lord, I know You are right. Give me strength, help me to speak, help me to live Your gospel to the end, to the folly of the cross. Second Station: Jesus Carries His Cross We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” But they cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered. “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. And so they took Jesus and led him away, bearing the cross for himself. Here is Jesus’ Cross. Jesus had no Cross of his own so He came to get ours, all through His life, and along the way to Calvary. He took upon Himself, one by one, the sins of the world. Jesus must go forward, and bend, and suffer, the Cross must be carried. Lord, I would rather fight the Cross; to bear it is hard. The more I progress, the more I see evil in the world, the heavier is the Cross of my shoulders. Lord; help me to understand that the most generous deeds are silently redemptive. Since you want from me, Lord, this long way of the Cross, help me go forth to Calvary with you at the dawning of each day. Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Weakened by torture and fatigue, Jesus collapses under the cross. Now the “God-man” fully tastes the frailty and poverty of the human condition. He shares the helplessness of those who come face-to-face with their own human limitations; the spouse who helplessly watches a wife or husband die of cancer; a youth overwhelmed by divorce in the family; a human rights worker sitting 10 years in prison for a cause that seems doomed; an alcoholic admitting his or her powerlessness to handle drinking; teachers or parents realizing that they can’t control a child’s fate. He fell. For a moment He staggered, then fell prostrate; God in the dust. Lord, help me follow You. I set out with confidence, but I often fall. I leave the cumbersome Cross. I am no longer there to fight evil and help others drag their loads. Lord, help me to continue faithfully after You and keep steadily on. Keep me from sudden weakness that leaves me stupefied and empty, far from the place where You are shaping the world. Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. What do their eyes say as they look at each other – this mother and son meeting on the Savior’s death march? Love certainly shines in the eyes of both. They share a deep faith that God is present in Israel’s history. “The Lord topples the rulers from their thrones and lifts up the lowly.” Mary’s loving eyes assure Jesus. Even though she wants to run away from this heart-piercing moment, Mary is fully present to Jesus. She walks in solidarity with him and with all oppressed children. She is the model of the Christian call. Mary walks in the crowd, unknown, but she doesn’t take her eyes off her Son, Jesus. Every gesture of her Son, every blow dealt Jesus, every wound, pierces her heart. She suffers Jesus’ sufferings without coming near Him, without touching her Son, without speaking to Him. Lord, show me your mother, Mary, blessed in the sight of God. Help me walk among men and women eager to, know their sufferings and their misery. May I never avert my eyes. ‘Like Mary, may I never close my heart to the suffering of the world. Fifth Station: Simone of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you…because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Once again the helping hand of another human being encourages Jesus. This reminds us of Jesus’ own words that care shown to others, even strangers, is care for Christ. When we feed or shelter one another, we are doing the same for Christ. When we lift unjust burdens from others by defending them against prejudice and exploitation, we are lifting the same burdens from Christ’s shoulders. When we struggle to change unjust systems – racism, sexism, subhuman wages, and unequal distribution of wealth, unfair trade relationships that exploit whole nations – we help alleviate the suffering of millions of other Christ’s. He passed by the road. They pressed him into service. He was the first to come along, a stranger. Jesus accepted his help. He wasn’t offered the help of a friend, the solace of a gesture of love, the generous impulse of one who cared. Jesus received the enforced help of a passerby. Lord, I need others. But I avoid the hands outstretched to help me; I want to act alone, I want to succeed alone. Yet, beside me walks a friend, a spouse, a sister, brother, a neighbor, a fellow worker. You have placed them near me, Lord, and too often I ignore them. Lord, grant that I may see, that I may accept, all the Simons on my road. Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Veronica rises above her fear of others and steps forward to gently press her veil to the bleeding and filthy face of this convicted outcast. What will people say? Won’t they link her with the rejects, lawbreakers and all those living on the fringes of society? She will not be intimidated. She sees dignity even in the disfigured face of this condemned man. She rejects the standards of this world which see only the rich and glamorous as worthy of attention. In the faces of the poor, the ugly and disfigured, she sees the very face of God. For a long time Veronica’s eyes were on you, Jesus; She suffered from your suffering. Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed the soldiers, aside, and with a cloth of fine linen wiped your face. Your bleeding features, Jesus, were imprinted on her cloth – and her heart. Lord, I want to resemble You; and for that I must first look at You. But, Lord, too often I carelessly pass in front of You. Forgive my clouded eyes~ where others cannot see your light. Forgive my encumbered heart; in it others do not see your love. Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. The cross that Jesus carries and which again crushes him to the ground is truly the ugly burden of our sins. Jesus would not be on his way to a cruel death if Pilate had been less self-seeking, if religious leaders had been less envious, if Peter had been less cowardly, if the whole human race, from Adam to you and me, had been more open to God’s love. It is we acting contrary to God’s will- not God – who are responsible for Jesus’ suffering and for so much of the human suffering and poverty in this world. As Mother Teresa said, “Poverty is not created by God but by you and me because we do not share.” Jesus is spent. Again, He has fallen to the ground. This time He falls not only from the weight of the Cross but from exhaustion. My sins, Lord, are dulling my conscience. I get used to evil quickly. Self-indulgences here, unfaithfulness there, and unwise actions obscure my vision. Eventually I no longer see these stumbling blocks on my road. Lord, I beseech You, spare me from the bondage of habit which lulls to sleep and kills. Eighth Station: Jesus meets the Women of Jerusalem We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. The weeping women who follow Jesus remind us of the courageous role of women throughout Jesus’ passion. It is a role many women have played through the centuries – in a society and Church that too often have not recognized their contribution. Jesus is sensitive to the plight of the weeping women and all who weep. They weep. They sob. It is easy to understand if you see what has been done to Him. And they are helpless, they cannot interfere, so they weep, they weep with loss. Lord, you have seen them, you have heard them, and you said, “Weep for yourselves and for your children.” I pity your suffering and the suffering of the world, Lord. Ninth Station: Jesus Falls a Third Time We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. It is easy for us to identify with Jesus’ third fall to the ground. We understand these moments of defeat. We know how hard it is to get up some mornings to face work or school, especially when severe challenges await us. There may be problems in the family – alcoholism, personality conflicts, or smoldering resentments. Perhaps we cannot resign ourselves to deep personal loss or failure. Face down on the ground, we remember that God’s Spirit is in us and, drinking deeply of it, like Jesus, we choose to be faithful to the end. Again, Jesus does not move, for all the soldier’s beating. Jesus is not dead but utterly spent. Finally he gets up again and walks on...Jesus has fallen a third time, but this time close to Calvary. Again. I fall every time. I’ll never get there. But, I’ve said that before, Lord…Please forgive me. If I become discouraged, I am lost. If I trust in You, Lord, I am saved. Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Clothes We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. As if the whipping and mocking and crowning with thorns are not enough, Jesus’ clothes are now torn from him. This irreverence is not simply against his body but against the sacredness, integrity and privacy of his inner person. In a sense he is stripped of every shred of human dignity –like human beings today violated by torture or sexual abuse or exploitation. He stands before his persecutors with a dignity and grandeur that no one can take away. Jesus had nothing left. One thing only is needed, Jesus’ Cross. Lord, I must give up all the trappings, which hinder me and hide me from your sight. If you want all, Lord, take all. Strip me of my last garment. For I know well that we must lose our life to save it. As the seed must die to yield the golden grain. Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Because of Jesus’ forgiving heart, he lets the very nails we drive into his hands and feet drive away our guilt. Jesus really lived his teachings about forgiveness: “Love your ‘enemies, pray for your persecutors: … do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you.” Jesus’ love is so pure and generous that he seeks only to build up others, no matter what they do to him. If someone throws a lance into his heart, the blood that flows from it washes away that person’s sin. Perhaps Jesus’ greatest gift is his forgiveness. Jesus is stretched full length on the Cross. He covers it entirely and allows men to nail him to it. It is work well done, conscientiously done. Lord, I must gather my heart, my spirit, my body, and stretch myself at full length on my own cross. The cross is ready to my measure. You present it to me each day, each minute, and I must carry it. It is not easy, and, yet, Lord, I can meet you nowhere else. It is there that you await me. Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. When noon came, darkness fell on the whole countryside and lasted until mid-afternoon. At that time Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Then, uttering a loud cry, he breathed his last. A few more hours’ a few more minutes; a few instants more. For thirty-three years it has been going on. For thirty-three years Jesus has lived fully minute after minute. Now, life slips from each limb, one by one, finding refuge in His still beating heart. Immeasurable heart, overflowing heart, heart heavy as the world, the world of sins and miseries that it bears. With passionate love, Jesus has gathered His life. He has gathered the sin of the world, And in a cry, He has given all. Jesus, you died for us. Help us to die to sin. Help us to die for you and for one another. Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. When the soldiers came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead so they did not break his legs, but one of them opened his side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water. Joseph of Arimathea, because he was a disciple of Jesus (although a secret one for fear of the Jews), begged Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave permission. Jesus’ work is done. He can leave His Cross. He can come down to rest. Mary takes Him in her arms. Jesus rests in peace. All is accomplished. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me a poor sinner, that through the merits of your son, I may never fall asleep without receiving the forgiveness of our Father. That each night, resting in peace in your arms, I may learn how to live, and how to die. Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Taking Jesus’ body, Joseph wrapped it in fresh linen and laid it in his own new tomb that had been hewn from a rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. Jesus is buried and the stone is in place. His family is in tears; his friends are lost. It is really over. Lord, it is not over. “You are in agony until the end of time.” Lord, help me to recognize you in all my pilgrim brothers and sisters. For it would be a lie to weep before your lifeless image if I did not follow you. Vertical Divider
|
Scriptural Stations of the CrossDeveloped by St. Pope John Paul II (invites us to follow 14 events, different from the traditional).
Scriptural Version
First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-41 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Matthew: 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." When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Second Station: Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested, Mark 14: 43-46 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Mark: While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Third Station: Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, Luke 22: 66-71 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Luke: When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth." Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Fourth Station: Jesus is denied by St. Peter, Matthew 26: 69-75 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Matthew: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!" As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean." Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!" A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Fifth Station: Jesus is judged by Pontius Pilate, Mark 15: 1-5, 15 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Mark: The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.... Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Sixth Station: Jesus is scourged at the pillar and crowned with thorns, John 19: 1-3 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. John: Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck him repeatedly. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Seventh Station: Jesus bears the cross, John 19: 6, 15-17 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. John: When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him." ...They cried out, "Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Eighth Station: Jesus is helped by Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross, Mark 15: 21 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Mark: They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Ninth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, Luke 23: 27-31 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Luke: A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time, people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!' and to the hills, ‘Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Tenth Station: Jesus is crucified, Luke 23: 33-34 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Luke: When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."] Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Eleventh Station: Jesus promises his kingdom to the good thief, Luke 23: 39-43 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Luke: Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Twelfth Station: Jesus speaks to his mother and the beloved disciple, John 19: 25-27 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. John: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Thirteenth Station: Jesus dies on the cross, Luke 23: 44-46 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Luke: It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. Fourteenth Station: Jesus is placed in the tomb, Matthew 27: 57-60 We adore you, Oh Christ, and we bless you… because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. A reading from the holy Gospel, according to St. Matthew: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. Lord Jesus, teach us by your example. Help us, in knowing your love, to turn away from selfishness. Give us the strength to reject sin. As you journey to your cross, lead us to your Father. -Pope John Paul II Vertical Divider
|
Family Stations of the CrossMost of Jesus' life was happy and busy; this is the story of his last day when he suffered and died out of love for us.
FAMILY Version
Station One: Jesus Meets Pilate After Jesus was betrayed by his apostle, Judas, he was taken to prison. There they beat him, made fun of him and crowned him with painful thorns. Many of his enemies wanted Jesus out of the way – they wanted him to die. They took him to the governor, Pontius Pilate, who condemned him to die on a cross. Jesus, who was innocent, would die for love. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to keep on caring and loving even when others reject my love or wish me harm. Teach me forgiveness. Amen. Station Two: Jesus Carries the Cross The soldiers brought a large wooden cross to Jesus and put it on his shoulders. It was rough and heavy. Jesus was weak, tired and hurting, but he began to carry the cross to Calvary, where he would die. On the day of his death, Jesus changed the cross into a sign of hope and salvation for each of us. The world’s evil and hatred can be changed by God’s love. Jesus could change this cross which he carried with love for us. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to carry my hurts and crosses. Give me your love and teach me to talk with you. Amen. Station Three: Jesus Falls the First time Jesus was so weak and tired as he walked the road to Calvary. Soon the cross became too heavy and too painful for his failing strength. Jesus fell to the ground. No one helped him and it seemed he would not be able to get up. With courage and patience, he did get up and began to walk the road again. He did this for love of God and us. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me when my worries, fears or sadness weigh me down. Help me when I am too tired to begin again. Teach me your courage and patience. Amen. Station Four: Jesus meets his mother Jesus’ mother, Mary, was always a faithful follower of her son and his teachings. So many times she walked with him as he told of God’s love, cured the sick and helped those who were in pain. She loved him and was so proud of him. Mary was there on the walk to Calvary. Jesus was thankful that she was there for him. The pain in their eyes spoke more than any words. Jesus had learned so much from Mary about love. Pray: Dear Jesus, please help me always to stand by the people I love and who love me. Help me to make my parents proud of me and teach me to love your mother, Mary. Amen. Station Five: Simon helps Jesus carry the cross The cross seemed to get heavier with every step Jesus took. The soldiers noticed Jesus getting weaker. He was staggering and about to fall under the load on his shoulders. The soldiers pulled a man from the crowd. They forced him to help Jesus carry the cross. This stranger, Simon of Cyrene, was not one of Jesus’ followers. Perhaps he was too frightened to refuse to help. Simon did help Jesus to carry the cross. This helping is what is meant by love. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to see those who need me. Help me to always lend a hand when asked or needed. Teach me to love all people. Amen. Station Six: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus Crowds had gathered along the roadside. Many people were there to see Jesus die. Many people’s hearts broke as they saw Jesus’ cruel suffering. A woman named Veronica stepped out from the crowd into the road. As Jesus held his cross Veronica held out a cloth – perhaps her own veil – and wiped the blood and sweat from the face of Jesus. Her simple kindness was one of the most loving things that happened to Jesus that day. It helped him continue on this last journey of love. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to do the simplest acts of kindness for love of you. Teach me the power of a hug or a loving word of support. Amen. Station Seven: Jesus falls a second time The walk to Calvary hill was only half over, there was still a long way to go. Jesus again was made to carry his cross alone. It had become harder and harder for him to stand up. Jesus was out of breath and had little strength left. He stumbled, staggered and fell again. The weight of the heavy cross almost crushed him on the ground. How could this ever be the “wood of salvation?” Yet, Jesus stood up, lifted his cross and began to walk forward. He was able to do this because of his strong love for God and for us. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to know that you are always with me to lift me to yourself and carry me through the difficult times. Teach me to give a hand to others who seem weighed down. Amen. Station Eight: Jesus meets the women and children There were others whose hearts broke when they saw Jesus in such pain. A group of women with their children were crying because so many had treated Jesus cruelly. Perhaps at that moment the women remembered how Jesus used to lift their children and hold them close to his heart. Now they wished they could hold the suffering Jesus in their arms. Jesus told them to weep for themselves and their children – for the cruelty of the world would touch them just as it had touched him. His eyes were filled with his love for them. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to remember that I am yours and you hold me to your heart at all times. Teach me to never be cruel and to always be loving. Amen. Station Nine: Jesus falls a third time The crowds continued to watch Jesus struggle to carry the cross. Many taunted him, others were filled with sadness. Jesus’ followers were frightened. Some of them hid. Jesus got to Calvary hill and tried to climb it. He had lost so much strength, he was bleeding and exhausted. Under the heavy weight of the cross, Jesus fell as if he was defeated. Then again he struggled to stand up. He would not be defeated because he loves God and loves us. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to keep trying when I am feeling defeated. Help me to keep my eyes on you and teach me that you are my strength. Amen. Station Ten: Jesus is stripped of his clothes Having been able to stand again and lift his cross Jesus took those final steps to the top of the hill. The soldiers finally let Jesus drop the cross to the ground. As he stood in front of the crowds, the soldiers tore off his clothes leaving him humiliated and without dignity. He was treated as a common criminal, his enemies saw him as a worthless human being. His followers saw him as the human being who lived a life of love. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to treat every person with dignity and respect. Help me to clothe them with love and teach me reverence for all life. Amen. Station Eleven: Jesus is nailed to the cross At the time of Jesus, many criminals were forced to die tied to a cross for all to see. Jesus was not tied. His hands and feet were nailed to the wood. Everyone saw that this preacher and prophet could not escape. Jesus, who had released people from the prisons of blindness, sin, sickness and death, was not able to get free. How could Jesus bear this pain and suffering? It could only be because of his great love for God and for us. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me always to be a person who frees and helps others who are trapped in pain and loneliness. Teach me to realize that you have won our freedom. Amen. Station Twelve: Jesus dies on the cross Jesus called out to God, he was frightened, feeling abandoned and about to die. He was full of pain. More important than his pain was his love and concern for his mother and for the people around her. He asked them to care for one another. With all his strength drained and his fear relieved, he gave his spirit over to God and died on the cross. To the end, he spoke of his love for God and love for us. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to see death as another step in the life you give us. Teach me how to live and how to die. Amen. Station Thirteen: Jesus is placed in Mary’s arms When her child Jesus, was still a baby, Mary was told that he would be rejected by many and that her heart would be broken. When Jesus died on the cross, some friends gently took his body down from the cross and placed it in Mary’s arms. Mary had held Jesus like that when he was a baby. Now his body had no life left in it. Mary’s heart broke with such sadness, emptiness and grief. She remembered her happy days with her son. She remembered her pride and she remembered the prophecy. Jesus had been rejected because of his love for God and for us. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to comfort those who lose someone they love. Teach me your compassion. Amen. Station Fourteen: Jesus is laid in th tomb When he was born in Bethlehem, the lively new baby Jesus rested in a borrowed manger. His mother cared for him with love, joy and tenderness. When he died on Calvary hill, his friends placed his lifeless body in a borrowed tomb. This was the final stopping place on Jesus’ way of the cross. With love, broken hearts and great tenderness, his mother and friends cared for him, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in the tomb. Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to believe in your love and share it with all those I meet. Teach me to walk with you in life. Amen. The Way of the Cross, Regina Press 1990 – Adapted for PSP 2016, 2017 |
Photographs by Julius Acero
Another alternative for Stations of the Cross
Blessed Sacrament Chapel HoursSunday - Friday, 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday, 2:00 - 9:00 pm Office HoursMonday through Thursday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Saturday 3:00 pm - 6:15 pm Sunday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Vertical Divider
|
Telephone(805) 482 · 6417
(805) 987 · 8100 FAX For emergencies requiring
|
For eNews you can trust.
Staff Login
|