Stations of The Cross
'Do not imagine that I have come to
abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come NOT to abolish but to
complete them. In truth I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not
one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all
its purpose is achieved. Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of
the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will
be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who
keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of
Heaven. ~ Matthew 5:17-19
History of the Way of The Cross
As early as the 4th c., Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land would walk the
route that Our Lord walked as He made His way to Golgotha for our salvation.
When Muslims captured Jerusalem and it became too dangerous to make this
pilgrimage, Christians replicated the sites
back home in Europe, and there developed the "Stations of the Cross" devotion
(also known as "Way of the Cross," "Via Dolorosa," or "Via Crucis").
The devotion consists of meditating on 14 events -- that number being fixed in 1731 by Pope Clement XII -- which took place during Christ's Passion, from His being condemned to His burial. Franciscans popularized the devotion, which was originally made outside, often along roads to shrines or churches. The Way of the Cross can still be made outside, of course -- a perfect idea for a Mary Garden -- but is usually made inside nowadays, especially during the Season of Lent and most especially on Good Friday.
If you enter a Catholic Church and look along the walls of the nave (where the parishioners sit), you should see 14 representations on the walls which depict 14 events of Christ's Passion that have been singled out for contemplation. It is at these blessed artistic representations, these "stations" -- which can be painted, carved, engraved, of wood, metal, paint on canvas, etc., topped with a wooden Cross -- that the Way of the Cross is made during public liturgy.
The devotion consists of meditating on 14 events -- that number being fixed in 1731 by Pope Clement XII -- which took place during Christ's Passion, from His being condemned to His burial. Franciscans popularized the devotion, which was originally made outside, often along roads to shrines or churches. The Way of the Cross can still be made outside, of course -- a perfect idea for a Mary Garden -- but is usually made inside nowadays, especially during the Season of Lent and most especially on Good Friday.
If you enter a Catholic Church and look along the walls of the nave (where the parishioners sit), you should see 14 representations on the walls which depict 14 events of Christ's Passion that have been singled out for contemplation. It is at these blessed artistic representations, these "stations" -- which can be painted, carved, engraved, of wood, metal, paint on canvas, etc., topped with a wooden Cross -- that the Way of the Cross is made during public liturgy.
When the Way of the Cross is made in groups, each person first makes the Sign of the Cross, makes an Act of Contrition (i.e., expresses penitence through prayer) and mentally intends to gain indulgences, for himself or another. Then, typically, at each station:
- the leader will announce the name of the station
- the leader will lead with a statement of praise, such as "We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee"
- the people will respond, with, for example, using the above acclamation, "Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world."
- the leader will read a meditative reading, upon which all should meditate in penitence, thanking God for His sacrifice and uniting himself with that sacrifice (often by identifying with Mary)
- all pray an Our Father
- all pray a Hail Mary
- all pray a Glory Be
- traditionally, between the stations, successive stanzas of the hymn called Stabat Mater are sung -- a hymn known since at least 1388 A.D. and possibly written by Pope Innocent III who died in 1216 A.D.
The main objective of the Stations is to help the faithful to make in spirit, as
it were, a pilgrimage to the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and
death, and this has become one of the most popular of Catholic
devotions. It is carried out by passing from Station to Station, with
certain prayers at each and devout meditation on the various incidents
in turn.
The Way of the Cross can also be made privately, even at
home, with or without "visual aids."
Praying The Stations of The Cross
Sign Of the Cross and Formation of Intentions:
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Forms the intention
of gaining indulgences, either for one's self or for others and for the souls in Purgatory.
Act Of Contrition:
O most
merciful Jesus, with a contrite heart and penitent spirit, I bow down in
profound humility before Thy divine majesty. I adore Thee, I hope in Thee, I
love Thee above all things. I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, my
Supreme and Only God. I resolve to amend my life, and although I am unworthy to
obtain mercy, yet the sight of Thy cross, on which Thou didst die, inspires me
with hope and consolation. I will, therefore, meditate on Thy Passion in company
with Thy sorrowful Mother and my guardian angel, with the intention of promoting
Thy honor and saving my soul.
I
desire to gain all the indulgences granted for for this holy exercise for myself
and for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. O merciful Redeemer, who has said, "And I,
if I be lifted from the earth, will draw all things to Myself", draw my heart
and my love to Thee, that I may perform this devotion as perfectly as possible,
and that I may live and die in union with Thee.
Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Look down upon me, good and gently Jesus, while before Thy face I
humbly kneel; and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively
sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of
amendment. While with great love and tender pity I contemplate Thy five wounds, pondering
over them within me, calling to mind the words which David, Thy prophet, said of Thee, my
Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My
bones."
First Station: Jesus is condemned to death
(John 3:16, Isaiah 53:7, John 18:33-John 19:1-16)
Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody helps defend you. You devoted your entire life to helping others, listening to the smallest ones, caring for those who were ignored by others. They don't seem to remember that as they prepare to put you to death.
As a child, sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes I feel that others don't stand up for me and defend me when I am afraid. Sometimes I don't feel like I am treated fairly, especially if I am scolded or corrected.
As an adult, sometimes I feel abandoned and afraid as well. Sometimes I too, feel like I am treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. I have a hard time when people criticize me at home or at work.
Help me be grateful for what you did for me. Help me to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt me.
My Jesus, often have I signed the death warrant by my sins; save me by Thy death from that eternal death which I have so often deserved.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
Stabat Mater dolorosa (At the cross her station keeping)
Juxta crucem lacrymosa (Stood the mournful Mother weeping)
Dum pendebat Filius (Close to Jesus to the last)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Stabat Mater dolorosa (At the cross her station keeping)
Juxta crucem lacrymosa (Stood the mournful Mother weeping)
Dum pendebat Filius (Close to Jesus to the last)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Second Station: Jesus carries His cross
(Isaiah 53:4-6, Matthew 27:31, Luke 9:23)
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew you would carry it to your death on Calvary. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same.
As a child, sometimes I don't like the problems that come my way. Sometimes I try to get others to take care of them or solve them for me. Sometimes I become upset and crabby when I'm asked to do even the smallest thing to help others.
As an adult I sometimes feel like I'm not appreciated. Sometimes I feel as if I accept more responsibility that I need to. I can feel sorry for myself, even though the crosses others carry are much larger than my own. In my self-pity, I don't reach out to help.
My Jesus, Who by Thine own will didst take on Thee the most heavy cross I made for Thee by my sins, oh, make me feel their heavy weight, and weep for them ever while I live.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
Cujus animan gementem (Through her heart, His sorrow sharing)
Contristatam, et dolentem (All His bitter anguish bearing)
Pertransivit gladius (Now at length the sword had passed)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Cujus animan gementem (Through her heart, His sorrow sharing)
Contristatam, et dolentem (All His bitter anguish bearing)
Pertransivit gladius (Now at length the sword had passed)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Third Station: Jesus falls the first time
(Isaiah 53:6)
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, the cross you have been carrying is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you. The soldiers are interested in getting home, so they yell at you and try to get you up and moving again.
As a child, sometimes I start to do something, but then get tired of it. I hurry to get finished and sometimes don't do my work well. Sometimes I don't pay attention to what I should be doing. When things get hard for me, sometimes I give up.
As an adult, I sometimes put things off. I give up too easily, and sometimes don't do my work as well as I know I can.
My Jesus, the heavy burden of my sins is on Thee, and bears Thee down beneath the cross. I loathe them, I detest them; I call on Thee to pardon them; may Thy grace aid me never more to commit them.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, the cross you have been carrying is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you. The soldiers are interested in getting home, so they yell at you and try to get you up and moving again.
As a child, sometimes I start to do something, but then get tired of it. I hurry to get finished and sometimes don't do my work well. Sometimes I don't pay attention to what I should be doing. When things get hard for me, sometimes I give up.
As an adult, I sometimes put things off. I give up too easily, and sometimes don't do my work as well as I know I can.
My Jesus, the heavy burden of my sins is on Thee, and bears Thee down beneath the cross. I loathe them, I detest them; I call on Thee to pardon them; may Thy grace aid me never more to commit them.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
O quam tristis et afflicta (Oh, how sad and sore distressed)
Fuit illa benedicta (Was that Mother highly blessed)
Mater Unigeniti (Of the sole-begotten One!)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
O quam tristis et afflicta (Oh, how sad and sore distressed)
Fuit illa benedicta (Was that Mother highly blessed)
Mater Unigeniti (Of the sole-begotten One!)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother
(John 19:25-27, John 16:22)
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, you feel so alone with all those people yelling and screaming at you. You don't like the words they are saying about you, and you look for a friendly face in the crowd. You see your mother. She can't make the hurting stop, but it helps to see that she is on your side, that she is suffering with you. She does understand and care.
As a child, sometimes I feel like too many things are going on. Sometimes other kids pick on me and call me names. I need to look around me for a friendly face, and for the help I need. I need to share my troubles with those who truly care about me.
As an adult I sometimes feel overwhelmed by many things. Life is so competitive, and I worry so much about my future and those who have some control over it. I need to remember that being an adult does not mean having to solve every problem all by myself. I need to look around me for a friendly face, for the help I need.
Jesus most suffering, Mary Mother most sorrowful, if, by my sins, I caused you pain and anguish in the past, by God's assisting grace it shall be so no more; rather be you my love henceforth till death.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, you feel so alone with all those people yelling and screaming at you. You don't like the words they are saying about you, and you look for a friendly face in the crowd. You see your mother. She can't make the hurting stop, but it helps to see that she is on your side, that she is suffering with you. She does understand and care.
As a child, sometimes I feel like too many things are going on. Sometimes other kids pick on me and call me names. I need to look around me for a friendly face, and for the help I need. I need to share my troubles with those who truly care about me.
As an adult I sometimes feel overwhelmed by many things. Life is so competitive, and I worry so much about my future and those who have some control over it. I need to remember that being an adult does not mean having to solve every problem all by myself. I need to look around me for a friendly face, for the help I need.
Jesus most suffering, Mary Mother most sorrowful, if, by my sins, I caused you pain and anguish in the past, by God's assisting grace it shall be so no more; rather be you my love henceforth till death.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
Quae moerebat, et dolebat (Christ above in torment hangs)
Pia Mater, dum videbat (She beneath beholds the pangs)
Nati poenas inclyti (Of her dying, glorious Son)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Quae moerebat, et dolebat (Christ above in torment hangs)
Pia Mater, dum videbat (She beneath beholds the pangs)
Nati poenas inclyti (Of her dying, glorious Son)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
(Matthew 27:30-32, Matthew 25:40, Galatians 6:2)
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, the soldiers are becoming impatient. This is taking longer than they wanted it to. They are afraid you won't make it to the hill where you will be crucified. As you grow weaker, they grab a man out of the crowd and make him help carry your cross. He was just watching what was happening, but all of a sudden he is helping you carry your cross.
As a child, sometimes I see people who need my help. Sometimes I pretend not to hear when my parents call me. I disappear when I know others could use my help.
As an adult, sometimes I try to do as little as I can and still get by. Others might need my help, but I ignore their needs. Even when I'm asked to help, I sometimes claim to be too busy.
My Jesus, blest, thrice blest was he who aided Thee to bear the cross. Blest too shall I be if I aid Thee to bear the cross, by patiently bowing my neck to the crosses Thou shalt send me during life. My Jesus, give me grace to do so.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, the soldiers are becoming impatient. This is taking longer than they wanted it to. They are afraid you won't make it to the hill where you will be crucified. As you grow weaker, they grab a man out of the crowd and make him help carry your cross. He was just watching what was happening, but all of a sudden he is helping you carry your cross.
As a child, sometimes I see people who need my help. Sometimes I pretend not to hear when my parents call me. I disappear when I know others could use my help.
As an adult, sometimes I try to do as little as I can and still get by. Others might need my help, but I ignore their needs. Even when I'm asked to help, I sometimes claim to be too busy.
My Jesus, blest, thrice blest was he who aided Thee to bear the cross. Blest too shall I be if I aid Thee to bear the cross, by patiently bowing my neck to the crosses Thou shalt send me during life. My Jesus, give me grace to do so.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
Quis est homo qui non flerent (Is there one who would not weep)
Matrem Christi si videret (Whelmed in miseries so deep)
In tanto supplicio? (Christ's dear Mother to behold?)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Quis est homo qui non flerent (Is there one who would not weep)
Matrem Christi si videret (Whelmed in miseries so deep)
In tanto supplicio? (Christ's dear Mother to behold?)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
(Isaiah 52:14, John 14:9)
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, suddenly a woman comes out of the crowd. Her name is Veronica. You can see how she cares for you as she takes a cloth and begins to wipe the blood and sweat from your face. She can't do much, but she offers what little help she can.
As a child, sometimes I know someone could use a little help and understanding. They may be picked on or teased by others, or just sad or lonely. Sometimes I feel bad that others don't step in to help, but I don't help either.
As an adult, I notice the needs around me. Sometimes my own family members crave my attention, and I don't even seem to notice. Sometimes a co-worker, friend, or family member could use help or understanding, but I don't reach out to help lest I be criticized, or that they demand more of me than I'd like to give.
My tender Jesus, Who didst deign to print Thy sacred face upon the cloth with which Veronica wiped the sweat from off Thy brow, print in my soul deep, I pray Thee, the lasting memory of Thy bitter pains.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, suddenly a woman comes out of the crowd. Her name is Veronica. You can see how she cares for you as she takes a cloth and begins to wipe the blood and sweat from your face. She can't do much, but she offers what little help she can.
As a child, sometimes I know someone could use a little help and understanding. They may be picked on or teased by others, or just sad or lonely. Sometimes I feel bad that others don't step in to help, but I don't help either.
As an adult, I notice the needs around me. Sometimes my own family members crave my attention, and I don't even seem to notice. Sometimes a co-worker, friend, or family member could use help or understanding, but I don't reach out to help lest I be criticized, or that they demand more of me than I'd like to give.
My tender Jesus, Who didst deign to print Thy sacred face upon the cloth with which Veronica wiped the sweat from off Thy brow, print in my soul deep, I pray Thee, the lasting memory of Thy bitter pains.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
Quis non posset contristari (Can the human heart refrain)
Christi Matrem contemplari (From partaking in her pain)
Dolentem cum Filio? (In that Mother's pain untold?)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Quis non posset contristari (Can the human heart refrain)
Christi Matrem contemplari (From partaking in her pain)
Dolentem cum Filio? (In that Mother's pain untold?)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time
(Hebrews 4:15)
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
This is the second time you have fallen on the road. As the cross grows heavier and heavier it becomes more difficult to get up. But you continue to struggle and try until you're up and walking again. You don't give up.
As a child, sometimes things get me down. Others seem to find things easier to do or to learn. Each time I fail, I find it harder to keep trying.
As an adult, sometimes I think I should know more than I do. I become impatient with myself and find it hard to believe in myself when I fail. It is easy to despair over small things, and sometimes I do.
Help me when things seem difficult for me. Even when it's hard, help me get up and keep trying as you did. Help me do my best without comparing myself with others.
My Jesus, often have I sinned and often, by sin, beaten Thee to the ground beneath the cross. Help me to use the efficacious means of grace that I may never fall again.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have Mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
This is the second time you have fallen on the road. As the cross grows heavier and heavier it becomes more difficult to get up. But you continue to struggle and try until you're up and walking again. You don't give up.
As a child, sometimes things get me down. Others seem to find things easier to do or to learn. Each time I fail, I find it harder to keep trying.
As an adult, sometimes I think I should know more than I do. I become impatient with myself and find it hard to believe in myself when I fail. It is easy to despair over small things, and sometimes I do.
Help me when things seem difficult for me. Even when it's hard, help me get up and keep trying as you did. Help me do my best without comparing myself with others.
My Jesus, often have I sinned and often, by sin, beaten Thee to the ground beneath the cross. Help me to use the efficacious means of grace that I may never fall again.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have Mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
Pro peccatis Suae gentis (Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled)
Vidit Jesum in tormentis (She beheld her tender Child)
Et flagellis subditum (All with bloody scourges rent)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Pro peccatis Suae gentis (Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled)
Vidit Jesum in tormentis (She beheld her tender Child)
Et flagellis subditum (All with bloody scourges rent)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
(Luke 23:27-31, John 15:6)
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, as you carry your cross you see a group of women along the road. As you pass by you see they are sad. You stop to spend a moment with them, to offer them some encouragement. Although you are have been abandoned by your friends and are in pain, you stop and try to help them.
As a child, sometimes I think a lot about myself. I think about what I want and would like people to spend their lives pleasing me.
As an adult, sometimes I act like a child. I become so absorbed in myself and what I'd like that I forget about the needs of others. I take them for granted, and often ignore their needs.
Help me think more about others. Help me remembers that others have problems, too. Help me respond to them even when I'm busy or preoccupied with my own problems.
My Jesus, Who didst comfort the pious women of Jerusalem who wept to see Thee bruised and torn, comfort my soul with Thy tender pity, for in Thy pity lies my trust. May my heart ever answer Thine.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have Mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, as you carry your cross you see a group of women along the road. As you pass by you see they are sad. You stop to spend a moment with them, to offer them some encouragement. Although you are have been abandoned by your friends and are in pain, you stop and try to help them.
As a child, sometimes I think a lot about myself. I think about what I want and would like people to spend their lives pleasing me.
As an adult, sometimes I act like a child. I become so absorbed in myself and what I'd like that I forget about the needs of others. I take them for granted, and often ignore their needs.
Help me think more about others. Help me remembers that others have problems, too. Help me respond to them even when I'm busy or preoccupied with my own problems.
My Jesus, Who didst comfort the pious women of Jerusalem who wept to see Thee bruised and torn, comfort my soul with Thy tender pity, for in Thy pity lies my trust. May my heart ever answer Thine.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have Mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater
Stanza:
Vidit suum dulcem Natum (For the sins of His own nation)
Moriendo desolatum (Saw Him hang in desolation)
Dum emisit spiritum (Till His spirit forth He sent)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Vidit suum dulcem Natum (For the sins of His own nation)
Moriendo desolatum (Saw Him hang in desolation)
Dum emisit spiritum (Till His spirit forth He sent)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time
(Philippians 2:5-7, Luke 14:11)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, your journey has been long. You fall again, beneath your cross. You know your journey is coming to an end. You struggle and struggle. You get up and keep going.
As a child, sometimes I fail time and time again. I find it hard to get along with my sisters and brothers, sometimes I'm not honest, sometimes I'm lazy. I'm tempted to stop trying. It's just too hard sometimes.
As an adult, I often feel I should have conquered my weaknesses by now. I become discouraged when I'm confronted by the same problems over and over again. Sometimes I get weary. When I have health problems, I can become discouraged and depressed.
Help me think of the cross you carried. Help me continue to hope that I can make the changes in my life I need to. You didn't give up. I can have the strength to get up again as well.
My Jesus, by all the bitter woes Thou didst endure when for the third time the heavy cross bowed Thee to the earth, never, I beseech Thee, let me fall again into sin. Ah, my Jesus, rather let me die than ever offend Thee again.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Eia Mater, fons amoris (Ah Mother, fountain of love)
Me sentire vim doloris (make me feel the force of the sorrow)
Fac, ut tecum lugeam (so that I may mourn with you)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
(John 19:23-25, Luke 14:33)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers notice you have something of value. They remove your cloak and throw dice for it. Your wounds are torn open once again. Some of the people in the crowd make fun of you. They tease you and challenge you to perform a miracle for them to see. They're not aware that you'll perform the greatest miracle of all!
As a child, sometimes I'm tempted to repeat stories I know are unclean and disrespectful. I sometimes try to act grown up by using crude and bad words.
As an adult, sometimes I repeat stories that are disrespectful of others. I can entertain thoughts that are not clean. Sometimes I give the young people around me a bad example to follow.
Help me to keep myself pure and clean. Help me say things that build up the people around me. Help me overcome worldly desires that I may become more like Jesus. Help me set a good example for others to follow.
My Jesus, stripped of Thy garments and drenched with gall, strip me of love for things of earth, and make me loathe all that savors of the world and sin.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Fac ut ardeat cor meum (Make me feel as thou hast felt)
In amando Christum Deum (Make my soul to glow and melt)
Ut sibi complaceam (With the love of Christ, my Lord)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
(Psalm 22:17-18, Zechariah 12:10, Luke 23:33)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
You are stretched out on the cross you have carried so far. The soldiers take big nails and drive them into your hands and feet. You feel abandoned by the people you loved so much. People seem to have gone mad. You have done nothing but good, yet they drive nails through your hands and feet.
As a child, sometimes I hurt others. Sometimes I join with friends and decide not to like another. We gang up against another and cause them hurt and pain. Sometimes I say or do hurtful things to my brothers and sisters. I can wonder what they'd think about themselves if they believed everything I told them about themselves.
As and adult, sometimes I discriminate against others. Even without thinking, I judge others because of their color, intelligence, income level or name. I forget that I am to live as a brother or sister to all people. Sometimes I use harsh words when I speak to my children and family members. I can find it easy to look for something that isn't very important and make it very important.
Help me look again at the people around me. Help me see the hurt and pain I have caused in others. Be with me to help me make amends for the harm I have done.
My Jesus, by Thine agony when the cruel nails pierced Thy tender hands and feet and fixed them to the cross, make me crucify my flesh by Christian penance.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross
(Luke 23:46, John 19:30, Philippians 2:8-9)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
As Jesus hung on the cross, he forgave the soldiers who had crucified him, and prayed for his mother and friends. Jesus wanted all of us to be able to live forever with God, so he gave all he had for us.
Jesus, let me take a few moments now to consider your love for me. Help me thank you for your willingness to go to your death for me. Help me express my love for you!
My Jesus, three hours didst Thou hang in agony, and then die for me; let me die before I sin, and if I live, live for Thy love and faithful service.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Tui Nati vulnerati (Let me share with thee His pain)
Tam dignati pro me pati (Who for all our sins was slain)
Poenas mecum divide (Who for me in torments died)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
(Luke 23:50-53, John 19:31-37, Luke 24:26)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, how brutally you were put to death. How gently your are taken from the cross. Your suffering and pain are ended, and you are put in the lap of your mother. The dirt and blood are wiped away. You are treated with love.
As a child, sometimes I treat others better when they're sad or in pain. When somebody dies, I become very gentle and kind. I notice the good and kind things people say about those who have died.
As an adult, I seem to be kinder when someone dies. If only I could learn to see the good things about them while they were alive. If only I would tell those around me how much I love them, while I still have the opportunity to do so.
Help me look for the good in those around me, especially those I love the most. Help me live this day as if it were the last. Help me become a more gentle and loving person through my greater appreciation for those around me.
O Mary, Mother most sorrowful, the sword of grief pierced thy soul when thou didst see Jesus lying lifeless on thy bosom; obtain for me hatred of sin because sin slew thy Son and wounded thine own heart, and grace to live a Christian life and save my soul.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Fac me tecum pie flere (Let me mingle tears with thee)
Crucifixo condolere (Mourning Him Who mourned for me)
Donec ego vixero (All the days that I may live)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
(Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42, John 12:24-25, Romans 6:10-11)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, your body is prepared for burial. Joseph gave you his own tomb. He laid your body there and rolled a large stone in front of it, then went home. What a sad day it has been for so many people.
As a child, sometimes I try to keep everything for myself. I find it hard to share my things with my brothers or sisters and with my friends.
As an adult, I can be selfish too. I can accumulate things and keep them for myself. I try to make sure I have what I want before I share what I have with anybody else.
Help me think of Joseph of Arimathea, who risked his own life as he accepted Jesus' body for burial. Help me think of how Joseph loved Jesus so much that he gave him his own tomb.
My Jesus, beside Thy body in the tomb I, too, would lie dead; but if I live, let it be for Thee, so as one day to enjoy with Thee in heaven the fruits of Thy passion and Thy bitter death.
Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Juxta Crucem tecum stare (By the cross with thee to stay)
Et me tibi sociare (There with thee to weep and pray)
In plactu desidero (Is all I ask of thee to give)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Closing Prayer:
CLOSING PRAYER TO JESUS
CHRIST CRUCIFIED
Behold, O kind and most sweet
Jesus, I cast myself on my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent
desire of my soul, I pray and beg Thee to 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 contemplate
Thy 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." God has loved us from all eternity. So He says: "Remember I first
loved you. You had not come to be, nor did the world yet exist, but I loved
you already. From all eternity I have loved you."
PRAYERS FOR THE INTENTIONS
OF THE HOLY FATHER
O, my Lord Jesus, I offer
the following prayers as my petition for this month's intentions of our Holy
Father, the Pope:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
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.
Litany:
Blessed be God.Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus!
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart!
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy!
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception!
Blessed be her glorious Assumption!
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother!
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse!
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints!
Indulgences:
Indulgences are:
- A plenary indulgence every time the devotion is completed.
- An additional plenary indulgence if one receives Holy Communion on the day.
- Also an additional plenary indulgence if one performs the devotion ten times and receives Holy Communion within a month after so doing.
- A partial indulgence of ten years for every Station made if one was not able to finish the Stations.
To gain a plenary indulgence, the following norms must
be followed, in addition to the usual conditions:
- The pious exercise must be made before stations of the Way of the Cross legitimately erected.
- For the erection of the Way of the Cross fourteen crosses are required, to which it is customary to add fourteen pictures or images, which represent the stations of Jerusalem.
- According to the more common practice, the pious exercise consists of fourteen pious readings, to which some vocal prayers are added. However, 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.
- A movement from one station to the next is required. But if the pious exercise is made publicly and if it is not possible for all taking part to go in an orderly way from station to station, it suffices if at least the one conducting the exercise goes from station to station, the others remaining in their place.
Those who are "impeded" can
gain the same indulgence if they spend at least one half an hour in pious
reading and meditation on the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reference:
- The meditations and prayers may vary, but the general outline above is pretty standard. The most popular way of making the Stations of the Cross is to use the meditations written by St. Alphonsus Liguori (A.D. 1696-1787); that method including meditations, prayers and the Stabat Mater stanzas with Scriptural references added.