The way of the cross continues…
First Station:
Jesus is condemned.
First Station: Jesus is condemned.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Jesus, the prisoner, stands defenseless before the power of the
Roman Empire that brutally suppresses any and all challenges to
its absolute rule and authority. Pontius Pilate is determined to
keep the peace at all cost, no matter how many innocent lives he
has to sacrifice. In vain he tries to wash his hands of bloodguilt,
yet today, 2,000 years later, Christians around the world
solemnly announce: “He suffered under Pontius Pilate.”
Lord Jesus, you still stand condemned to death in the countless
prisons around the world, where the guilty and the innocent both suffer.
People are still unjustly judged, condemned and imprisoned by
corrupt officials. Help us work to abolish the death penalty and to
work for the dignity and sanctity of all human life, from conception to natural death.
Until we reform of our justice system, empower us to fulfill your
words: “I was in prison, and you visited me.”
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Second Station:
Jesus carries the cross.
Second Station: Jesus carries the cross.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Jesus, the carpenter, bears the weight of the wood, once the
source of his livelihood, now the means of his execution.
Already weak from being tortured, he carries the symbol of
public shame and humiliation through the narrow streets of
Jerusalem. Before him goes the sign announcing both his
identity and offense: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”
Lord Jesus, the cross is the price you willingly pay for living your
truth: all people are precious sons and daughters of God, the Gentile
no less than the Jew, the slave no less than the free, women no less
than men, sinners no less than the righteous. Help us to follow
you by living your Gospel in our lives, no matter what reaction or
opposition we might face. Help us be true disciples by taking up
our cross daily to follow you for the sake of all our brothers and
sisters, who do not yet know your love, mercy and forgiveness.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Third Station:
Jesus falls the first time.
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
Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground not only under the weight
of the cross, but also from the cruel jeers of the spectators and
the taunts of the Romans. And where are his disciples? His
followers? Those he healed? The guards, the chief priests and
the people are impatient. They will not allow Jesus to rest, even
for a moment. They kick, punch and drag him back up to his
feet. The Prince of Peace, who is the Way, the Truth, and the
Life, is forced to walk to his death along a hostile way strewn
with hatred, contempt, jealousy and lies.
Lord Jesus, good and honest people are still suffering today for
trying to do what is right. They courageously speak out against
injustice. Some will lose their jobs, others their reputations, and
others their freedom or even their lives. Whether dangerous working
conditions, polluted air, contaminated water, or inequality in how
we treat one another, these are all crimes that cry out to heaven.
By your Passion give us the will to stand with the lost, the loneliest,
and the least of our brothers and sisters.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Fourth Station:
Jesus meets his mother.
Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
No words can describe the silent gaze that passed between
mother and son, as Mary sees Jesus on his way to his crucifixion
and death. Did her “Yes” to the angel Gabriel in Nazareth lead
to this? If she had known, would she still have consented to be
mother of the Messiah? Seeing the pain in his mother’s eyes was
perhaps the hardest suffering for him to bear. Each would have
gladly changed places with the other. Watching a loved one
suffer is often harder than what we suffer ourselves.
Lord Jesus, by this encounter with your mother on your way to
Calvary, you consecrated the millions of mothers who must watch
helplessly as their children die: many from war and violence, many
from hunger, and many from preventable diseases. Give us the
strength of Mary to stay with our loved ones when they are in pain
or are dying, and to let suffering parents know they are not alone.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Fifth Station: Simon helps Jesus.
Fifth Station: Simon helps Jesus.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Jesus cannot go on. Worried he may die too soon, without
enduring the public humiliation and agony of crucifixion, the
Romans grab a bystander, Simon of Cyrene, and force him to
pick up the cross and follow Jesus. Minding his own business,
perhaps Simon only stopped out of curiosity to see what all
the excitement was about. However reluctantly, by picking up
the cross and following, Simon became the very definition of
discipleship.
Lord Jesus, sometimes we too are embarrassed to be seen or be
associated with you, when you appear poor, homeless, abandoned
or just unpopular. Give us the courage to help others with their burdens
and crosses, especially when we don’t feel like getting involved.
We see the plight of refugees and immigrants in our land and we
want to turn away or ignore them, afraid to be seen defending or
helping them. Help us to help others, especially those who stand
alone against the angry mob.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
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
His face covered in blood, dirt and sweat, Jesus can barely see.
Then from out of the crowd, one courageous woman ignores
the angry mob and forces her way to the condemned man. She
takes off her veil and wipes his face. For her bravery in showing
mercy to a man marked for death, the Lord of Mercy bestows
this singular favor: the imprint of the Holy Face. The name
Veronica comes from the Greek for “true image.” By acts of
mercy we reveal the divine image in which all people are
created.
Lord Jesus, too often we go along with the crowd. We are afraid
to speak out, much less to stand out. Veronica symbolizes all brave
women around the world, especially those who boldly stand up for
justice, truth and freedom, despite threats to their safety, lives or
families. We see Veronica in the brave witness of Dorothy Day,
Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai. May their example inspire us
all to speak out, even when it is unpopular to do so, or even if we
have to stand alone.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Seventh Station: Jesus falls a second time.
Seventh Station: Jesus falls a second time.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Even with Simon’s help, Jesus cannot maintain his balance and
once again he falls down face-first onto the rough and dirty
cobblestone. As he grows weaker, this unexpected interruption
in his public execution only infuriates the mob more, and their
angry shouts increase. Resigned to the possibility Jesus may die
before he can be crucified, this time the soldiers let him be. To
everyone’s surprise and amazement, he struggles back up to his
feet and, with great determination, continues along the way.
Lord Jesus, so many people today struggle with various kinds of
addictions, bad habits, setbacks, repeated failure and relapses.
Falling down again is not the problem; staying down is. By getting
up again after your second fall, you serve as an example and
inspiration to all who struggle with their persistent faults and
weaknesses. We pray not only for people with addictions, but also
for everyone in recovery and Twelve-Step Programs and for their
families as well.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Eighth Station: Jesus comforts the women.
Eighth Station: Jesus comforts the women.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Jesus, even on his way to his death, takes time to comfort the
women of Jerusalem. They weep for him, who risked his reputation
and life defending them. He tells them not to weep for
him, but rather for themselves and for their children, saying, “If
this is what happens when the wood is green, what will happen
when it is dry?” We must not let the passing of time deaden the
power of Jesus’ words or the meaning of his message and life in
our world.
Lord Jesus, women around the world still suffer under oppressive
laws and customs. We pray that all your followers might join in
the struggle to safeguard the health and dignity of women everywhere,
especially people of color. We pray also for all victims of
human trafficking, and for their safety and deliverance. In addition,
we pray for women who have faced or are facing unexpected
pregnancies. Give them courage to make the right choice, and
grant merciful healing to all those who do not.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Ninth Station:
Jesus falls a third time.
Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Onlookers watch, this time in stunned silence, as Jesus falls
yet again. They resign themselves to the likely disappointment
of being denied the bloody spectacle of watching this famous
imposter crucified. But just when the crowd starts to break up
and go home, amazed shouts spread the news: he’s getting up
again! They marvel at his motivation. Why bother getting up,
only to be crucified a few minutes later?
Lord Jesus, we too face repeated failures and frustrations. Sometimes
it’s our own fault; other times it’s because of factors beyond
our control. In either case, your Third Fall inspires us, not only to
get up and try again, but also to do so without anger, resentment
or bitterness. We pray for those who struggle and fail to get out of
poverty, to have a baby, to find a better job or nicer home. Many
people face relapses of serious illness or are in unhealthy relationships
or marriages. We pray they find the strength and courage to
overcome their present situation.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Tenth Station:
Jesus is stripped.
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
Jesus arrives at Golgotha, the hill of public execution outside
the walls of Jerusalem. To add to his humiliation, soldiers strip
away his outer garments, leaving him almost naked before the
world. Being condemned to death, Jesus must forfeit everything
he owns to compensate the soldiers for their troubles.
They pass the time by casting lots to see who will get his robe
of homespun cloth, woven in one piece. Jesus’ crucifixion, like
that of thousands before him and countless others after him,
serves as a warning to any who would dare challenge the authority
of Rome.
Lord Jesus, grant us a spirit of detachment and stewardship with
our material goods. Everything we have will one day go to someone
else. Let us give freely now, not just of our possessions, but also
of our time, in order to make life more bearable for all those who
“labor and find life burdensome.” In this way we pay you the greatest
worship: following your example.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Eleventh Station:
Jesus is nailed to the cross.
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
Hands that once blessed, touched, and healed are pierced with
iron nails. Feet that walked the way of peace and holiness are
securely attached to the crude wooden post. Jesus predicted
that, if he is lifted up from the earth, he would draw all people
to himself. Everyone who looks up at Jesus on the cross sees in
his crucified body the human condition. We stand before this
mystery: Jesus accomplished his greatest work when he could
move neither his hands nor his feet. Yes, nails fastened Jesus to
the Cross; but his love for us kept him there.
Lord Jesus, how many people today are nailed to the cross of poverty,
prejudice or indifference? Elderly people become increasingly
abandoned and invisible. People with disabilities or chronic illness
are often ignored or looked upon as burdens. Perhaps the worse
cross of all is to be unwanted, unappreciated and unloved. Open
our eyes and ears, Lord, to recognize you in everyone we meet,
especially the least, the lonely and the lost.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Twelfth Station:
Jesus dies on the cross.
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
Unable to move, unable to talk, and finally, unable to breathe,
Jesus finally succumbs to the hours of torture, agony and
suffering. Bowing his head, he breathes out his spirit upon the
world —and dies.
Lord Jesus, by dying in this most shameful and humiliating way,
you consecrated human life from beginning to end and proved that
not even death can separate us from the love of God. It was not
God but we, who demanded such violent proof that God loves us
unconditionally. Give us the strength and grace to consecrate our
lives and our deaths to you. Be with all those at this very moment
who breathe their last and let them know you are with them to
receive their souls.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is taken down.
Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is taken down.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Normally the body of a crucified criminal would be left on
the cross to rot and become food for wild animals. Above all,
this gruesome scene served as a warning that a similar fate
awaited all who defy Roman rule. But the Passover Sabbath was
fast approaching and, out of deference to Jewish custom, the
Romans allow his few remaining disciples to come and take his
body down before sunset. In keeping with Roman law, when a
criminal’s body is to be taken down prematurely, a soldier
must verify the death by piercing the heart of the crucified
man. In the end, only some loyal women, one disciple and a
few followers were on hand to witness this greatest act of love
and mercy.
Lord Jesus, around the world today countless people die alone and
are forgotten. Sometimes their families are too ashamed; other
times it is just too dangerous. Sometimes nobody knows who or
where these people are. By your descent from the cross, Lord, at
the moment of death let everyone be received into your loving arms
and those of your mother.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is buried.
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is buried.
V: We adore you O Christ, and we bless you
R. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Jesus must be buried before the Sabbath begins. Born in a
stable, he who had no place to lay his head in life must rely on
others even in death. Joseph of Arimathea offers his new tomb
to receive the lifeless body of his Master. There is no time to
prepare the body for burial. That will have to wait. The disciples
block the entrance to the tomb with a stone. The chief priests
seal it. Roman soldiers stand guard. There is nothing more to
do, but mourn and wait.
Lord Jesus, it is you we mourn and bury today in the millions of
unmarked graves around the world, where the bodies of the poor,
the outcast and the outlaw are discarded and forgotten.
Until that Day when all the dead rise to everlasting life, Lord, let
us mourn with those who mourn, weep with those who weep, and
pray for the repose of the souls of all the dead, especially those who
have no one to pray for them
V. ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THEM O LORD
R. AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
V. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.
R. AMEN
V. MAY THEIR SOULS AND ALL THE SOULS OF THE
FAITHFUL DEPARTED THROUGH THE MERCY OF
GOD REST IN PEACE.
R. AMEN
He is risen!
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info@maryknoll.us