OPENING PRAYER

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

Leader: Let us pray,
All: 0 Jesus help us to meditate on the way of the Cross. Give us a true understanding of the suffering you accepted and a desire to reproduce in us your attitudes and virtues.

Antiphon:

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ

Has died for us and is risen from the dead. 

He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.

FIRS➕T STATION

1️⃣ FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Before Pilate Jesus stood unbowed, unbroken, and unafraid. Pilate asked, "Are you King?" He replied, "I am". The crowd shouted, "We have no king but Caesar, crucify him. Crucify him." Then before Jesus, Pilate stood bowed, broken and afraid. He handed him over first to be scourged and then to be crucified.

Leader: Let us pray

All:         Jesus our brother, we stand in silence as Pilate condemns you. Standing in silence is not new to us. We have stood in silence as you went hungry by our tables, as you were orphaned in our wars, as you walked powerless in our world. We always stand in silence for we, like Pilate, are bowed, broken and afraid. Give us the courage to speak on your behalf, for justice and truth. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:   

By our sins we have condemned you,
Jesus, let us now befriend you,
Sorrowing and penitent.

➕➕

2️⃣ SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

(kneel) 

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Large and heavy, edges rough, weight unbearable, that Cross had stood, waiting the unfortunate, the criminal, the victim of the court. Manfully, silently, Jesus shouldered it. The march began, to Golgotha to Golgotha. He struggled on, painfully, quietly alone.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Jesus our brother, we watch you bear your Cross and do not understand. We are afraid of suffering. Our hearts are hardened. Everyone tells us that suffering is evil and must be avoided at every cost. We flee sickness, sorrow and pain. Your carrying of your Cross says something different about suffering. We are not sure just what it is. Help us to follow you even when we do not understand.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Sinless Lord, the Cross that you bear 

Is the burden we all should share, 

Sinners, all deserving death.

➕➕➕

3️⃣ THIRD  STATION:JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Here, on Calvary's way, Jesus fell the first time. Not yet exhausted, still alert to every pain, still quickened by the lash.

Tripped on a stone, perhaps. Or stunned by a soldier's blow. Jesus struggled. He stood up. He moved on.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Jesus our brother, you have fallen with your Cross. We wonder if you have not fallen again today. Everywhere we see signs of weakness in our church, in our nation, in our world. We see dissension, controversy and turmoil. We are scandalized.

We do not understand. Our faith begins to falter. Help us find you hidden in your weakness. Help us find you beneath the Cross.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Jesus, we behold your first fall.

Teach us that for us, if we fall, 

We should never give up hope.

 ➕➕➕➕

4️⃣ FOURTH STATION:JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader : Mary, mothering her son in his last moments - unable to touch save with saddened eyes. Jesus, body torn, heart broken, eyes on his Mother. Comforted and comforting. No word was spoken. None was needed. Jesus met his mother.

Leader:  Let us pray

All : Jesus our brother, we are moved by Mary's love for you. We are amazed by Mary's love for us. It is hard to believe she has not lost confidence in us. But, we know she has not. She saw beneath your grime and agony. She saw your hidden beauty. We trust she can do the same for us. We need to be understood these days. We so often feel alone.

(stand)

Antiphon:

When we see your Son, our Brother, 

Make us feel, 0 Mary Mother, 

Deep compassion in our heart.

 ➕➕➕➕➕

5️⃣ FIFTH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS

(kneel) 

Leader : We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Strong and likely Simon stood, chance watcher of that strange procession on its way to Calvary. Proud and from the country, young and insecure. "Carry the Cross," they said, words empowered by whips and lances and numbers. And, he did. He shouldered the Cross. And followed behind Jesus.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Jesus our brother, we have to admire Simon. He took up your Cross and followed you. He had so little doubt, so little hesitation. We see you suffering in all around us, in the poor,in the powerless,in the misunderstood. We are so hesitant to come to your aid. We find so many excuses. We remain aloof. Grant us the wisdom and the courage to help the least of your brothers and so help you.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Make us understand, 0 Jesus,

By your pains, your will to need us, 

Taking up our Cross with you.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕

6️⃣ SIXTH STATION:VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

(Kneel) 

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   His face blood-stained, grime-weary, terrified and tired, Jesus shuddered, step by step, along.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Jesus our brother, you rewarded Veronica for her courage. You left your image upon her veil. You will reward us for our courage, you will leave the imprint of your face upon our lives. "By this will all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another." Help us forget our fears and reach out to serve our needy brothers.

(stand)

Antiphon:

For our neighbour show compassion; 

For our Saviour, ease his passion; 

Draw his image in our heart.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

7️⃣ SEVENTH STATION:JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

(kneel) 

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Tired now, beaten, bruised, body-broken, Jesus staggered along. As he walked, the shoulders ached, the head dripped blood, the knees buckled. Jesus fell the second time. A whip was lashed, a hard word was spoken, a fist, alance's blunted end. Jesus rose and moved on again.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Jesus, our brother, you must have been discouraged by your second fall. We, too, know discouragement. Our best efforts end in failure. Those we love, do not seem to love us. Regardless of our efforts, life does not bring peace. What shall we do? We will imitate your example and try again, even in the face of futility.

(stand)

Antiphon:  

Jesus, as we see you falling,

We can hear your Spirit calling, 

Urging us to persevere.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

8️⃣ EIGHTH STATION: JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader : Old, worn women leaning on each other; Young, vital women, children at the knees, babies at the breasts· Women of Jerusalem, weeping. See Jesus struggled on. See the terror in his eyes. See the knotting of his body. Women of Jerusalem, weeping.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Jesus, our brother, in the midst of your sufferings you had compassion for others and their pain. We are often so self­ centred. We do not see the sufferings of others. We want pity, kindness and understanding. We are willing to give so little in return. Help us forget ourselves. Awaken us to the pain in the lives of others.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

As the holy women weeping,
So our tearsfor Jesus keeping
For ourselves and all mankind.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

9️⃣ NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader : Jesus, reaching the limit of endurance, tired beyond tired, hanging on to consciousness, fell the third time. Pain had passed beneath the body and seared the edges of the soul. Weariness had broken the resistance of a tough, well-trained body and overwhelmed the man. Jesus fell the third time.

Leader : Let us pray

All: Jesus our brother, your third fall is the beginning of your death agony. Our world is filled with dying people inwar, in famine, in hospitals, on highways. Many this day will die alone. May our prayers become comfort to the dying, especially those who must die alone.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Now three times we see your stumble;
Let our human power crumble:

Make us put our trust in you.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣0️⃣ TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

(kneel) 

Leader : We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader : Bits of flesh and matted hair, clots of hardened blood, grime from city's soil, were tom from his quivering frame. Stripped of his garments, naked before the crowd, common criminal, of scouring of the earth, folly of a foolish people,Jesus, Son of God.

Leader : Let us pray

All: Jesus, our brother, there is something fearful in thinking of you stripped before the crowd. Even the privacy of clothing is taken. You have given up everything for us. We give so little in return. May we have the grace to give, to give of what we have, to help our brothers and sisters suffering all around us.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Lord, we strip our souls before you;
Sorry, humbled we adore you;

Take our sins and grant us grace.

  ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣1️⃣ ELEVENTH STATION:JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

(kneel) 

Leader : We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader : Hammer pounding, nails slicing through the flesh. Hands clenched in ultimate agony. Feet stretched to conform to the rough contour of the Cross. And then, the Cross was hurled aloft, bannered in the sky, flaunted in the face of God. Jesus was crucified.

Leader: Let us pray

All :         Jesus, our brother, the pain of those nails was unjust. Your hands which did such good, your feet which walked on errands of mercy, are now punished. You received little gratitude for the good you did. W hy should we expect more for the good we do? Help us give and ask nothing in return.

(stand)

Antiphon :

Victim of the nails and hammer, 

We acknowledge on our altar, 

Hid beneath the bread and wine.

  ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣2️⃣ TWELFTH STATION:JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Leader: ` We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. 

Leader: Jesus died. Birds could not sing. Children could not cry. The world was wordless. It had lost the Word made flesh. Only flesh remained. Jesus died on the Cross.

Leader: Let us pray

All :         Jesus, our brother, you have the greatest love for us. W hat can we say in the face of it? We;can only try to imitate you, by responding to the brothers and sisters you have given to us to love.

(stand)

Antiphon : 

Dying Jesus, let us ponder

Your last seven words, and wonder 

At the love of God made Man.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣3️⃣ THIRTEENTH STATION:JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

(kneel) 

Leader : We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader : Dead, lifeless flesh, body without spirit, heart exposed as if to reveal the emptiness. Gone the smiling face, the impassioned gesture, the vital step, the twisting agony. Lifeless body, taken down, passive, supple. Lifeless in a mother's arms.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Jesus, our brother, you are laid in the arms of your Mother. The agony is over. But resurrection is not yet. Your Father's plan requires patience. So it is with us. We reach moments when only patience can carry us on. We know that something better will come. But when? Help us share your patience and that of your Mother.

(stand)

Antiphon :

Mary.from the Cross you take him;
Cold and dead, his foes forsake him;
Let us still keep faith with you.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣4️⃣ FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

(kneel) 

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: It was all over. Body buried, neatly tombed. Spices ready. Cloths in proper place. Little things were done. No one could face the larger agonies,of loss, of loneliness, of anxiety. Faithful friends busy with tiny things. Jesus Christ was dead.

Leader: Let us pray

All:          Jesus, our brother, the end of life is so definite. We fear it deep within. We do not want to die. Help us understand that our lives are but a prelude to a new life, a life with you and your Father.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Buried in the tomb, then rising, 

We, too, Lord, by our baptising, 

Share your hope of victory.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Father, we have followed Jesus on his way to Calvary. We have pondered the meaning of his suffering to our lives. With deep faith help us renew our purpose to direct our lives in the light of his, so that the warmth and vigour of his resurrection will shine on our faces and the fire of his love will bum in our hearts. We make this prayer through Jesus, Our Lord and our brother. Amen.

 ➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

BLESSING WITH THE CROSS

Leader: May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader: May he defend you from all evils and bring you to life eternal. 

All: Amen.

Leader: And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

All: Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen,

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Help us Lord, to see more clearly and to realise more deeply our obligation to those whom we should love. Help us to overlook their weaknesses, and to stress their strengths and virtues. Help us to see you in them, to love and serve you in them whoever they are. You showed us an example of this especially on your painful way of the Cross. Help us to follow your wonderful example.

Antiphon:
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ
Has died for us and is risen from the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.

➕

1️⃣ FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Kneel

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

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

Leader: Let us pray

All: Technically and legally, Pilate was your superior, Lord. Technically and legally he was within his rights in condemning you. Surely he acted unjustly, but it was more from fear than from malice. If you love Judas who betrayed you, we may be sure that you loved Pilate who condemned you.

Lord, sometimes it is difficult to love our superiors. We may not like them; or they may give us commands we do not like; or they may be unjust or partial. Yet Lord, if you could love Pilate and Herod and Caiphas, surely we can love those whom you appoint to guide and lead and help us. Help us to do this well, dear Lord.

(stand)

Antiphon

Were you there when they sentenced him to die?
Were you there when they sentenced him to die?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they sentenced him to die?

➕➕

2️⃣ SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how Jesus, in making this journey with the Cross on his shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us to his Father the death he was about to undergo.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord, people hurt me even as they hurt you. They hurt me accidentally and deliberately in body, mind and soul. To love such people is perhaps your most difficult command. Yet, not only did you command but you gave us a magnificent example, you and all your great saints. Help me to follow this example and really to forgive and love my enemies and those who hate and harm me.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when he carried up his Cross?
Were you there when he carried up his Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he carried up his Cross?

➕➕➕

3️⃣ THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Consider this first fall of Jesus under his Cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges. His head was crowned with thorns. He had lost a great quantity of blood. So weakened he could scarcely walk, yet he had to carry this great load upon his shoulders. The soldiers struck him rudely, and he fell several times.

It is not difficult to love when we are well and happy and people are good to us. It is when things are black, when everyone and everything seems to be against us, if we love them, it is then that we are really following you; it is then that we are really your disciples.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when the Cross made him to fall?
Were you there when the Cross made him to fall?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when the Cross made him to fall?

➕➕➕➕

4️⃣ FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leaders: Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Their looks became like so many atrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.

Leaders: Let us pray

All: It was not difficult for you, Lord, to love your loving mother. But for us, sometimes it is difficult when we see their many weaknesses and shortcomings. Help us Lord, to love them in and through and because of you.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when the Mother met her Son?
Were you there when the Mother met her Son?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when the Mother met her Son?

➕➕➕➕➕

5️⃣ FIFTH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus was on the point of expiring and fearing he would die on the way, whereas they wished him to die the shameful death of the Cross, constrained Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross behind Our Lord.

Leader: Let us pray

All: One of the most pleasant virtues is gratitude, in big matters and in little things. Many people help us in many ways. Help us to realise and appreciate their help and to love and serve them. Help us to be eternally grateful to you for your never-ending shower of gifts on us.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when Simon took the Cross?
Were you there when Simon took the Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when Simon took the Cross?

➕➕➕➕➕➕

6️⃣ SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so ill-used, and bathed in sweat and blood, wiped his face with a towel, on which was left the impression of his holy countenance.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Though that was a small gesture, Veronica in that way showed her love to you in the way you needed it most at that time.

Sometimes our love misfires. We give the wrong things to the wrong person in the wrong way at the wrong time. Help us, Lord, to realise that love does not mean just getting rid of things, which may be a form of self-service, but understanding others and their needs and helping them at the time they need it most.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when she wiped his bruised face?
Were you there when she wiped his bruised face?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when she wiped his bruised face?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

7️⃣ SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider the second fall of Jesus under the Cross; a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds in His head and members.

Leader: Let us pray)

All: Lord, the soldiers who were taking you to be crucified were but doing their duty. They were ordinary people doing what for them was, but another day’s work. Most of our companions are like that — ordinary people doing ordinary work. Let us pray for them and love them, even though in and through their work, consciously or unconsciously they may hurt us.

(Stand)

Antipon:

Were you there when he fell a second time?
Were you there when he fell a second time?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he fell a second time?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

8️⃣ EIGHTH STATION: JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how these women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in such a pitiable state, streaming with blood as he walked along. “Daughters of Jerusalem,” said he, “weep not for me, but for yourselves and for your children.”

Leader: Let us pray)

All: It is very difficult to understand the needs of others when we are suffering and hurt. Yet on your way to Calvary you encouraged and consoled the women of Jerusalem. Help us never neglect opportunities of helping others, no matter how difficult it may be for us.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when the women wept for him?
Were you there when the women wept for him?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when the women wept for him?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

9️⃣ NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of his executioners excessive, who tried to hasten his steps when he could scarcely move.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord, help me to love strangers, odd people I meet, people I don’t know, people who at first may seem aggressive, but in whom you dwell. Help me, by showing love to these people to bring you to birth in them, so that they too may come to know and love you. Help me to preach you, the God of love, by my love.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when he stumbled once again?
Were you there when he stumbled once again?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he stumbled once again?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣0️⃣ TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider the violence with which Jesus was stripped by the executioners. His inncr garments adhered to his torn flesh, and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them.

Leader: Let us pray

All: I suppose Lord, your clothes were the last things you could call your own. Yet you allowed them to be taken from you.

Very often, I need far less than I have. Help me to be more generous with my possessions. Help me to remember that I am a steward not the owner, and that possibly in God’s eyes another person in need may have greater right than I do to something I have but do not need.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when they stripped him of his robes?
Were you there when they stripped him of his robes?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they stripped him of his robes?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣1️⃣ ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how Jesus, having been placed upon the Cross, extended his hands, and offered to his Eternal Father the sacrifice of his life for our salvation. Those soldiers fastened him with nails, and then securing the Cross, allowed him to die with anguish on this infamous gibbet.

Leader: Let us pray

All: All strength flows from prayer. A loving person must love God; and a praying person should love others. You, in complete union with God found time and energy even in your darkest moments to love and pray for others, even those who were inflicting the greatest pain on you.

Help us, Lord to be loving people who pray, and praying people who love.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?
Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣2️⃣ TWELTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how Jesus, being consumed with anguish after three hours of agony on the Cross, abandoned himself to the weight of his body, bowed his head and died.

Leader: Let us pray

All: It is difficult to help others when it makes demands on ourselves. But there is no way we can love if we are not prepared to sacrifice. You loved us Lord Jesus and you sacrificed your life for us. Help us to be real Christians, giving ourselves generously to the service of others.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when he died upon the Cross?
Were you there when he died upon the Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he died upon the Cross?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣3️⃣ THIRTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how, after Our Lord had expired, two of his disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took him down from the Cross, and placed him in the arms of his afflicted Mother.

Leader: Let us pray

All: One of the most difficult tasks of love is fraternal correction. Yet you did this often during your life and even at the moment of death. Help me, when the need arises, to do this task courageously, yet gently, and tactfully trying not to hurt but to build up and help the person.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when they laid him in her arms?
Were you there when they laid him in her arms?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they laid him in her arms?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣4️⃣ FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Consider how the disciples, accompanied by his Holy Mother, carried the body of Jesus to bury it. They closed the tomb, and all came sorrowfully away.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord, somehow, even though you were dead you managed to inspire hope in the hopeless mourners around you. Help me to consider this an important part of the apostolate of love — to give hope to the hopeless, courage to the faint hearted, life and faith to the despairing.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Love is our vocation, but it is difficult to live it. Yet without it life is meaningless. Everything else is dependent on and subservient to it. Lord, you call us to this vocation and we believe you will give us the necessary strength to live it. You have shown us how to live it by your own wonderful example. Help us to follow you on this glorious road of love. By loving others, let us come ever closer to you and love you ever more dearly.

BLESSING WITH THE CROSS

Priest: May Almighty God bless you, ➕ the Father, ➕ and the Son, ➕and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Priest: May he defend you from all evils and bring you to life eternal.

All: Amen

Priest: And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

All: Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader: Let us pray,

All: Lord Jesus Christ, you said, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his Cross every day and follow me.”  In a spirit of humility and penance, we want to walk with you on the road to Calvary. We are in need of forgiveness, we want to understand better your love for us. The way of the Cross is the way to life. The Cross must be carried today if we want to witness to your love. Help us to live your Gospel, to live it to the end, unto the folly of the Cross. Amen.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ
Has died for us and is risen from the dead. 

He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.

➕

1️⃣ FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

(kneel) 

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader : It was the Day of Preparation, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," said Pilate to the Jews. But they shouted, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him." Pilate said, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar." So Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. (Jn 19:14-16)

Leader: Let us pray,

All:         Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and the dead, you accepted to be judged and condemned by sinful men. We bring to you the sufferings of many innocent people who are undergoing unjust accusations and punishments. We ask you to forgive us when we commit injustice. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:

By our sins we have condemned you,
Jesus, let us now befriend you,
Sorrowing and penitent.

➕➕

2️⃣ SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   Lord Jesus Christ, you have borne out infirmities and carried our sorrows. We bring to you the sufferings of people in this world. Forgive us when we make others suffer. Grant us the grace to accept cheerfully the difficulties that come our way, and to be ready to take up our Cross every day and follow you. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Sinless Lord, the Cross that you bear
ls the burden we all should share,
Sinners, all deserving death.

➕➕➕                  

3️⃣ THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

(kneel)

Leader:   We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All:          Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:  He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are, and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a Cross. And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names.
(Phil 2:7-9)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, Almighty God, you were crushed under the weight of the Cross. We bring to you the sufferings of the sick and the oppressed. We ask you to forgive us when we indulge in luxury or become materialistic in our way of life. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon :

Jesus, we behold your first fall. 

Teach us that for us, if we fall, 

We should never give up hope.

➕➕➕➕

                                   FOURTH STATION                                 

4️⃣ FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

(kneel)

Leader :   We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All:          Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader :   Simon said to Mary his Mother, “Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too — so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare. (Lk 2:34-35)

Leader : Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, your Mother was with you on the way to Calvary, having a share in your sufferings. She is for us today an example of strength and fidelity. May we imitate her, and follow you in happiness as well as in sorrows. She is our mother always by our side. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:  

When we see your Son, our Brother, 

Make us feel, O Mary Mother,

Deep compassion in our heart.

➕➕➕➕➕

5️⃣ FIFTH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the Cross and carry it behind Jesus. (Lk 23:26)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, you needed the help of a man on the way to Calvary. We bring to you the crosses of those who are lonely and those rejected by society. Forgive us when we refuse to talk to people and keep too much to ourselves. Free us from selfishness and pride. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Make us understand, O Jesus,
By your  pains, your will to need us 

Taking up your Cross with you.

➕➕➕➕➕➕

                                     SIXTH STATION                                     

6️⃣ SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts; he was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised, for whom we had no regard. Yet ours were the sufferings he was bearing, ours the sorrows he was carrying, while we thought of him as someone being punished and struck with affliction by God. (Is 53:2-4)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, merciful God, you accepted the kindness shown to you by Veronica. We offer you the sacrifices and generosity of those who bring relief to orphans, to the elderly, to sick people and prisoners. Forgive us when we ignore our neighbours in need. Help us to be kind and compassionate. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:   

For our neighbour show compassion;

For our  Saviour, ease his passion; 

Draw his image in our heart.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

                                  SEVENTH STATION                                

7️⃣ SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

(kneel)

Leader:    We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All:         Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   Many bulls have surrounded me, fierce bulls close me in. Against me they open wide their jaws, like lions, rending and roaring. Like water I am poured out, disjointed are all my bones. Many dogs have surrounded me, a band of the wicked beset me. They tear holes in my hands and feet and lay me in the dust of death. (Ps 21:13-17)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of heaven and earth, you accepted to experience the depth of human weakness. We bring to you the sufferings of all the exploited people who live in conditions unworthy of the children of God. We ask you to forgive us when we fail to recognise in those around us the children of the same Father. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Jesus, as we see you falling,

We can hear yom Spirit calling, 

Urging us to persevere.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

8️⃣ EIGHTH STATION: JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All:         Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:  Large numbers of people followed him, and women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep rather for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23:27-18)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of all men, free us from blindness of mind and heart. Have pity on us when we reject your love or ignore your mercy. Help us to acknowledge our sins. Make us aware of the harm we do and the good we fail to do. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:  

As the holy women weeping,

So our tear s for Jesus keeping,

For ourselves and all mankind.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

9️⃣ NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:  My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me! I led you out of

Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you led your Saviour to the Cross. For forty years I bore you up with manna in the desert, but you struck me down and scourged me. What more could I have done for you? (“The Reproaches”)

Leader: Let us pray)

 All: Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd sent to the lost sheep, you accepted to fall a third time that we may always rise from our sins. We bring to you the sufferings of those who have fallen in guilt. Free them from despair and grant them the gift of repentance. All of us are in need of your pardon. Increase our hope in times of trial. Amen.

Stand
Antiphon:   

Now three times we see you stumble;
Let our human power crumble:

Make us put our trust in you.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣0️⃣ TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All:          Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it into four

shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they 

said to one another, “Instead of tearing it, let's throw dice to decide who is to have it.” In this way the words of 

Scripture were fulfilled: “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothes.” (In 19:23-24)

Leader: Let us pray

 All: Lord Jesus Christ, glory of the Father, you were mocked by the crowd. We offer you the sufferings of those who have been robbed of their dignity and those exploited for the sake of pleasure. Forgive us for any misbehaviour or any excess in life. Do not allow us to be a cause of scandal for others. Amen.

(stand) 

Antiphon:

Lord, we strip our souls before you, 

Sorry, humbled we adore you;

Take our sins and grant us grace.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣1️⃣ ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Carrying his own Cross he went out to the Place of the Skull or, as it is called in Hebrew, 

Golgotha, where they crucified him with two others, one on either side, Jesus being in the middle. Pilate wrote 

out a notice and had it fixed to the Cross; it ran ‘Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.’ (In 19:17-19)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, condemned to die as a slave, you were nailed to the Cross. We bring to you the sufferings of the bedridden who have abandoned all hope of recovery. Have mercy on all who suffer because of their crimes and misdeeds. Give strength to those who are tortured in their mind and body. Be with us when we are under pressure. Amen.

(stand) 

Antiphon: 

Victim of the nails and hammer,
We acknowledge on our altar,
Hid beneath the bread and wine.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣2️⃣ TWELTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

 (Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:    Jesus cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” With these words he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, “Truly, this was an upright man.” And when all the crowds who had gathered for the spectacle saw what happened, they went home beating their breasts. All his friends stood at a distance, so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee and seen all this happen. (Lk 23:46-49)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, you died on the Cross that we may live. Together with you, we put all our lite in the hands of our loving Father. Change the hearts of those who do not care about salvation. Grant that our life and death be always a joyful acceptance of your will. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon:
Dying lesus, let us ponder

Your last seven words, and wonder
At the love of God made Man.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣3️⃣ THIRTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: All you that pass this way, look and see: is any sorrow like the sorrow inflicted on me? My eyes have failed with weeping; my

whole being is troubled, and my strength is poured out upon the earth, as I behold the cruel death of my Son. (Lam 1:12)

Leader: Let us pray)

All: Lord Jesus Christ, at the end of your life, you were placed in the arms of your mother. You have given her to us as our mother, placing us together with you in her arms. May she help us to understand the depth of your love, especially when we recall your passion and death. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners. Amen.

(stand) 

Antiphon:   

Mary, from the Cross you take him, 

Cold and dead, his foes forsake him, 

Let us still keep faith with you.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣4️⃣ FOURTEENTH STATION:JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All:         Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Joseph of Arimathea took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud, and put it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of the 

rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. (Mt 27:59-60)

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the world, through your death and resurrection you offer to all people the gift of an unending life of love. Death is a passage towards the resurrection. Free us from fear and anxiety. Help us to see in each event of our daily life and occasion to love more and to prepare ourselves for the life in heaven. Let us die to ourselves in order to live with you. Amen.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Buried in the tomb, then rising, 

We, too, Lord, by our baptising, 

Share your hope of victory.

Concluding Prayer:

Leader: Since you have been raised up to be with Christ, you must look for the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand. Let your thoughts be on things above, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed — and he is your life — you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.

All: Lord, we know that it is not all over as yet. We are on our way, and the journey will only be completed when we reach the end. Help us to remain faithful to you always and to recognise you in other people on earth, so that we may all reach you in your glory beyond death. Amen.

➕ BLESSING WITH THE CROSS ➕

Priest: May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Priest: May he defend you from all evils and bring you to life eternal. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

All: Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord Jesus, as we come humbly before you, we present our offences, confess the darkness of our mistakes, and uncover the inmost recesses of our conscience. Help us to find a remedy for our wounded selves and our broken world. We long to see your presence among us, but we are blinded by the darkness of our sins. Come then Lord Jes us, supply us with the remedy for our infirmities; prepare an ointment for the eyes of our hearts that we may not stumble like blind men but follow your footsteps to the Cross of Salvation. Amen.

Antiphon:

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ

Has died for us and is risen from the dead.

He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.

➕

1️⃣ FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore yo u, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

(kneel)

Leader: We condemn you to death whenever we turn away from the light of your truth . Every time we refuse to see you in those who need us, it is yo u who die within them - and within us.

Leader: Let us pray

All: Open our eyes Lord. Help us to see that it is we who condemn you to the Cross every day. Forgive us, Lord. 

Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to see you in the people we claim to love. Help us to see you in those we have not yet learned to love.

(stand)

Antiphon:
Were you there when they sentenced him to die?

Were you there when they sentenced him to die?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!

Were you there when they sentenced him to die?

➕➕

2️⃣ SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: The Cross that we reject - the Cross of sickness, of pain, of misunderstanding - is the Cross you take upon your shoulders. It is our Cross Lord, and you carry it for us. It is our sin, and you have taken it upon your back.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes that we might see our Cross in the light of your love. Lord, God of Love, heal us . Lord, in this day of our salvation, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to accept the Cross that we have
built of our own faults and failings.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when he carried up his Cross?
Were you there when he carried up his Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to .tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he carried up his Cross?

➕➕➕

3️⃣ THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: We see you fall, and we do not help you up. You are the neighbour who has "sinned", our friend who has "failed". You are our loved one who is so tired of not seeing our
love. We have not helped you up.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. We are too engrossed in our own problems - or perhaps we are even happy to see some people fall, never realising that it is you who fall. 

Lord, in this day of grace, shed your light on our every action. Help us to see you in those who have fallen. Help others to see you in me when I fall.

(stand)

Antiphon

Were you there when the Cross made him to fall?
Were you there when the Cross made him to fall?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when the Cross made him to fall?

➕➕➕➕

4️⃣ FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: You give us your Mother to be our own. She comes to meet us in you. In your agony, she sees our pain, and she accepts us as her own. Now she stands by our side, so
many times unnoticed.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. We do not realise the power of her love, for she loves us inspire of what we are doing to you.
Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to cling to your Mother and be strengthened by her love for you.

(Stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when the Mother met her Son?
Were you there when the MotfJer met her Son?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when the Mother met her Son?

➕➕➕➕➕

5️⃣ FIFTH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Jesus, it is our Cross you carry, and yet we complain when we are asked to help you carry it. We have built this Cross out of our own anger, our fears, our refusal to show love. And now that we see what we have built, we reject it.

Leaders: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. Help us to see ourselves as we really are - sinners - loved so much by you.
Lord, in this day of our salvation, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to see that our problems are so often our own making. Help us to help one another carry the Cross.

(stand)

Antiphon

Were you there when Simon took the Cross?
Were you there when Simon took the Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when Simon took the Cross?

➕➕➕➕➕➕

6️⃣ SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

(Kneel)

Leaders: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: How often do we have the courage to speak out as Christians? Do the people we meet know by our actions that we believe in your message of love? Or are we just another one of the crowd - no different from those who never knew you?

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. Help us to see ourselves as others see us. Forgive us for not making you present to the people we come in contact with each day.
Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Strengthen us to be different as we, prove by our lives that we believe in you.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when she wiped his bruised face?
Were you there when she wiped his bruised face ?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you th.ere when she wiped his bruised.face?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

7️⃣ SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Life can be so exhausting. It would be easier not to get involved with other people. After all, everyone is tired. We all fall - time and again. But we are so involved with
our own wounds that we never notice that someone else is bleeding.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes to see your people. Show us the joy of helping someone else to stand tall - even as we ourselves would like to stand.
Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to see that if we make no move to help our fallen brother or sister, we are the fallen ones.

(stand)

Antiphon

Were you there when he fell a second time?
Were you there when he fell a second time?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he fell a second time?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

8️⃣ EIGHTH STATION: JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Jesus, the women wept for you; it was the only thing they could do. We weep today. We weep for those who carry the Cross of poverty - of unfair discrimination. But do we step out?... Do we speak out?... Do we try to help?... Or do we only weep?

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. Help us to weep for your people, but forgive us if all we do is weep. Give us the courage to act.
Lord, in this day of our salvation, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to do good for the right reason. Help us to see the good that only we can do.

(stand)

Antiphon

Were you there when the women wept for him?
Were you there when the women wept for him?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when the women wept.for him?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

9️⃣ NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Why do you fall again, Jesus? Why do you remind us of the weight of the Cross? Get up Lord, for if you do not go on, we are lost. It is our guilt that weighs you down. Get
up, Lord. We do not like to feel guilty.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. Show us our guilt, but show us oursalvation, too. Our guilt we cannot face . Show us our sin, but let us know the joy of our healing.
Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Fill us with compassion for your people, for in facing our own guilt, we can better understand our neighbours' failings.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when he stumbled once again?
Were you there when he stumbled once again?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he stumbled once again?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣0️⃣ TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: It hurts to be stripped of our possessions. We want to hang on to things as though to prove our worth. We want success as though success would save us . Yet we stripped
you of your last possession - the robe your Mother made you.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. Help us to see the false values that rule our lives. Forgive us for placing false gods before you.
Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to see our true worth in you. For even as you hang naked on the Cross you are our King.

(Stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when they stripped him of his robes?
Were you there when they stripped him of his robes?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they stripped him of his robes?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣1️⃣ ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: How can they say we did it? We are nice people. We would never nail anyone to a Cross... would we? And yet, we take pleasure in getting even. We gloat when an "enemy" is down. How often do we say, "He asked for it?" And how often are we angry at someone we love? What if we had been there - on Calvary?

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, open our eyes. It is you we have ridiculed in your people. It is you we have been angry with. It is we who have driven the nails . Lord, have mercy. Lord, in this
day of our salvation, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to see that what we do to your people, we do to you. Daily we nail you to the Cross.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?
Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣2️⃣ TWELFTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: He is dead. He did it for us, that all of us might live. But do we really understand? If we do, why do we go on killing? Abortion, murder, drunken driving - we have so many ways to kill. Then there is the living death of knowing no one cares. A lifetime is a long time to hang on a Cross of loneliness.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, we have seen enough. Forgive us for not loving. Forgive us for not caring. Forgive us for not sharing ourselves with those who need us.
Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to see that we - all of us - have sinned.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when he died upon the Cross?
Were you there when he died upon the Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he died upon the Cross?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣3️⃣ THIRTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Finally, Mary has him back - dead. All these years she has watched in silence while he tried to tell us something we did not want to hear. And now we give him back to
her. She does not say a word to reproach us; after all, we are her children now. But look what we did to her Firstborn.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, we cannot look. It hurts too much to see what sin did. Help us to look inside ourselves. Help us to see what sin is still doing.

Lord, shed the light of your truth on our every action. Help us to face the fact that much of what we do is not easy to look at in the light of your love.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when they laid him in her arms?
Were you there when they laid him in her arms?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they laid him in her arms?

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣4️⃣ FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: How often we are separated from those we love. A relationship dies - killed by our anger. A love dies - slowly - from lack of nourishment. But always there is hope for new life - a re-kindling of love. Physical death is the one true reality of life, and yet we still hope. We still believe in the power of love to re-kindle itself. He has given us the gift of faith. We know his love is forever.

Leaders: Let us pray
All: Lord, you have opened our eyes to hope. In our hope, your love lives forever, and in your love you live among your people. Thanks be to God. Lord, let the light of your love go before us. In this light we'follow the way of your Cross. In this love we are led to resurrection.

(Stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Leader: Let us pray.
All: O good Jesus, we will not turn aside from your footsteps, you who came so humble to this earth. Listen to our prayer and take away the blindness of our sins, that we
may see the glory of your face in the peace of your eternal Kingdom. Give us your Light. Show us your Way, the Way that we should walk.

➕ BLESSING WITH THE CROSS ➕

Priest: May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Priest: May he defend you from all evils and bring you to life
eternal. And may the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
All: Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

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

Christ: These fourteen steps that you are now about to take, you do not walk alone. I walk with you . Though you are you, and I am I, yet we are truly one - one in Christ. And
therefore my way of the Cross 2,000 years ago and your 'Way' now are also one. But note this difference. My life was incomplete until I crowned it by my death. Your fourteen steps will be complete only when you have crowned them with .your life.

Antiphon:

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ
Has died for us and is risen fi'om the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.

➕

1️⃣ FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: In Pilate's hands, my other self, I see my Father's will. Though Pilate is unjust, he is the lawful Governor and he has power over me. And to Pilate's rule I submit myself
because this is my Father's will. Can you refuse obedience to those whom I have placed over you?

Leader: Let us pray)
All: Jesus my Lord, obedience cost you your life. For me, it costs an act of the will - no more - and yet how hard it is for me to bend. Remove the blinkers from my eyes that I
may see that it is you whom I obey in all who govern me. 

Lord, it is you.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

By our sins we have condemned you,
Jesus , let us now befriend you,
Sorrowing and penitent.

➕➕

2️⃣ SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: This Cross, this chunk of tree is what my Father chose for me. The crosses you must bear are largely products of your daily life. And yet my Father chose them too, for
you. Receive them from his hands. Take heart, my other self, I will not let your burdens grow one ounce too heavy for your strength.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Jesus my Lord, I take my daily Cross. I welcome the monotony that often marks my day, discomforts of all kinds, the heat, the cold, my disappointments, tensions, set-backs, cares. Remind me often that in carrying my Cross, I carry yours with you.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Sinless lord, the Cross that you bear
Is the burden we all should share,
Sinners, all deserving death.

➕➕➕

3️⃣ THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: The God who made the universe and holds it in existence is too weak as man to bear a piece of timber's weight. This is the human reality which I experience. If you would be my other self you also must accept without complaint your human frailties .

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord Jesus, how can I refuse? I willingly accept my weaknesses, my irritations and my moods, my headaches and fatigue, all my defects of body, mind and soul. Because they are your will for me, these handicaps of my humanity I gladly accept them. Make me content with all my discontents, but give me strength to struggle after you.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Jesus, we beholdyourfirstfall.
Teach us thatfor us, if we fall,
We should never give up hope.

➕➕➕➕

4️⃣ FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: My Mother sees me whipped. She sees me kicked and driven like a beast. She counts my every wound. But though her soul cries out in agony no protest or complaint
escapes her lips or enters her thought. She shares my martyrdom and I share hers. We hide not pain, no sorrow, from each other's eyes. This is my Father's will .

Leader: Let us pray
All: Jesus my Lord, I know what you are telling me. To watch the pain of those you love is harder than to bear your own. To carry the Cross after you, I too must stand and watch the sufferings of my dear ones; t~e heartaches, sicknesses and griefs of those I love. And I rriust let them watch mine too. I do believe that all things work for good for those
who love you.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

When we see your Son, our Brother
Make us feel, 0 Mary Mather,
Deep compassion in our heart.

➕➕➕➕➕

5️⃣ FIFTH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: My strength is gone; I can no longer lift the Cross alone. And so the legionaries make Simon give me aid. This Simon is like you, my other self. Give me your strength. Each time you lift some burden from another's back, you lift as with your very hands, the Cross' awful weight that crushes me.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, make me realise that every time I wipe a dish, pick up an object from the floor, assist a child in some small task, or give another preference in traffic or at the store
each time I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, teach the 'ignorant or lend a hand in any way - it matters not to whom - my name is Simon. And the kindness I extend to them I really show to you.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Make us understand, O Jesus,
By your pains, your will to need us
Taking up our Cross with you.

➕➕➕➕➕➕

6️⃣ SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: Can you be brave enough, my other self to wipe my bloodstained face. At home, whenever eyes fill with tears; at work when tensions rise; on the playground, in the slums, courts, hospitals, jails - wherever sufferings exist - my face is there. And there I look for you, to wipe away my blood and tears.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Lord, what you ask is hard. It calls for courage and self sacrifice and I am weak. Please give me strength. Don't let me run away because of fear. Lord, live in me, and act
in me, and love in me. And not in me alone - in all people - so that we may reveal your glorious face on earth.

(stand)

Antiphon

For our neighbour show compassion;
For our Saviour, ease his passion;
Draw his image in our heart.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

7️⃣ SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: This seventh step, my other self, is one that tests your will. From this fall, learn to persevere in doing good. The time will come when all your efforts seem to fail and you will
think: "I can't go on". Then turn to me, my heavy-laden one and I will give you rest. Trust me and carry on.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Give me your courage, Lord. When failure presses heavily on me and I am desolate. Stretch our your hand to lift me up. I know I must not cease to persevere in doing good. But Lord, alone, I can do nothing. With you, I can do anything you ask. I will.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Jesus, as we see you falling,
We can hear your Spirit calling,
Urging us to persevere.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

8️⃣ EIGHTH STATION: JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: How often have I longed to take the children of Jerusalem and gather them to me? But they refused. But now these women weep for me and my heart mourns for them -
mourns for their sorrows that will come. I comfort those who seek to solace me. How gentle can you be, my other self? How kind?

Leader: Let us pray
All: My Jesus, your compassion during your passion is beyond compare. Teach me Lord, I want to learn. I often snap at those who hurt me with their ridicule, those who
misunderstand me, those that hinder me with some misguided helpfulness, those who intrude upon my privacy. Now, help me to curb my tongue. Let my gentleness become my cloak. Lord, make me kind like you.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

As the holy women weeping,
So our tears for Jesus keeping
For ourselves and all mankind.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

9️⃣ NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: Completely drained in strength I lie. Collapsed upon the cobblestones. My body cannot move. No blows, no kicks can rouse me up. And yet my will is mine. And so is
yours. Know this, my other self, your body may be broken, but no force on earth and none in hell can take a way your will. Your will is yours.

Leader: Let us pray
All: My Lord, I see you take a moment's rest, then rise and stagger on. When all my strength is gone and guilt and self-reproach press me to earth and seem to hold me fast,
save me from despair. Lord, never let me feel that any sin of mine is greater than your love. No matter what my past has been, I can always begin anew.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Now three times we see you stumble;
Let our human power crumble:
Make us put our trust in you.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣0️⃣ TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: Behold, my other self, the poorest King who ever lived. Before my creatures I stand stripped. The Cross - my deathbed - even this is not my own. Yet who has ever
been so rich? Possessing nothing, I own all - my Father's Love. If you too, would own everything, be not solicitous about your food, your clothes and your life.

Leader: Let us pray
All: My Lord, I offer you all - whatever I possess - and more, my very self. Detach me from the craving for prestige, position and wealth. Root out of me all traces of envy of my neighbour who has more than I have. Release me from the vice of pride, my longing to exalt myself, and lead me to the lowest place. May I be poor in spirit, Lord, so that I may be rich in you.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Lord, we strip our souls before you;
Sorry, humbled we adore you;
Take our sins and grant us grace.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣1️⃣ ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: Can you imagine what a crucifixion is? My executioners stretch my arms; they hold my hands and wrists against the wood and strike the nail until it stabs my flesh. Then with one heavy hammer smash, they drive it through - and pain bursts like a bomb of fire in my brain; they seize the other arm; and agony again explodes. Then raising up my knees so that my feet are flat against the wood, they hammer them fast, too.

Leader: Let us pray
All: My God, I look at you and think: Is my soul worth this much? What can I give you in return? Here and now I accept for all my life, whatever sickness, torment, agony may come. To every Cross I touch my lips. O blessed Lord, let me be with you, a co-redeemer of my fellowmen.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Victim of the nails and hammer,
We acknowledge on our altar,
Hid beneath the bread and wine.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣2️⃣ TWELFTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

(kneel)
Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: The Cross becomes a pulpit now. 'Father forgive them... You will be with me in paradise... There is your Mother... There is your son... I thirst... It is completed'. To speak I have to raise myself by pressing on my wrists and feet, and every move engulfs me in new waves of agony. And then, when I have borne enough and have emptied my humanity, I let my mortal life depart.

Leader: Let us pray
All: My Jesus, my God, what can I say or do? I offer you my death with all its pains accepting now the time and the kind of death in store for me. I pray for all who are dying
now, that they may turn to you with trust and confidence. Forgive all their sins and help them find hope in you.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Dying Jesus, let us ponder
Your last seven words, and wonder
At the love of God made Man .

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣3️⃣ THIRTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: The sacrifice is done. Yes, my mass is completed; but not my Mother's and not yours, my other self. My Mother must still cradle in her arms the lifeless body of the Son
she bore. You too, must part from those you love, and grief will come to you. In your bereavement, think of this. A multitude of souls were saved by Mary's sharing in my
Calvary. Your grief can also be the price of souls.

Leader: Let us pray
All: I beg you Lord, to help me in accepting the partings that must come, friends going away, children leaving home, and most of all, my dear ones called to your eternal home.
Help me believe that all men belong to you and you care for and love them more than I do.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Mary, from the Cross you take him;
Cold and dead, his foes forsake him;
Let us still keep faith with you.

➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕➕

1️⃣4️⃣ FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ: So ends my mortal life. But now another life begins for Mary, and for Magdalene, for Peter and for John and for you. My work as man is done. My work within and through my Church must now commence. I look to you, my other self. Day in and day out, from this time forth, be my apostle - victim - saint.

Leader: Let us pray
All: Jesus, my Lord, you know my spirit is as willing as my flesh is weak. The teaching you could not impart, the sufferings you could not bear, the works of love you could not do, in your short life on Earth,,let me impart and bear, and do through you. But I am nothing Lord. Help me.

(stand)

Antiphon:

Buried in the tomb, then rising,
We , too, Lord, by our baptising,
Share your hope of victory.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Christ: I told you at the start, my other self, that my life was not complete until I crowned it with my death. Your 'Way' is not complete unless you crowned it with your life. Accept
each moment as it comes to you, with faith and trust that all that happens has my mark on it. A simple 'yes' - this is all it takes; a breathing in your heart: 'I will it, Lord.' So seek me not in far off places. I am close at hand, your classroom, the playing field, the science-lab, the office, your workbench and hours spent at society meetings - these are altars where you offer love. And I am with you always. There, go now. Take up your Cross and with your life complete your 'Way'.

➕ BLESSING WITH THE CROSS ➕

Priest: May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Priest: May he defend you from all evils and bring you to life eternal. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
All: Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: O Jesus, help us to meditate on the way to Calvary and on the Cross. Give us a true understanding of the suffering you accepted and a desire to reproduce in us your attitudes and virtues.

Antiphon:

Keep in mind that Jesus Christ

Has died for us and is risen from the dead. 

He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.

1️⃣ FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:    Why do they condemn Jesus?
He sees things differently; He blesses the poor;
He is a friend to sinners;
He does not respect money and power
He asks everyone to repent and change his ways.
...He disturbs everybody.
It is easier to get rid of him than to change ourselves.

Leaders: Let us prayer

All: Lord convert us! Help us to be at least willing to change our ways. Help us to repent and be converted.

Antiphon:

Were you there when they sentenced him to die?
Were you there when they sentenced him to die?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they sentenced him to die?

2️⃣ SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: What is the Cross?

It is not to be found in any culture - no man looks for it. On the contrary, we do all we can to escape from it... yet it is one of the basic values of our faith. “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his Cross and follow me.

The Cross is the sign of a Christian!

Leader: Let us pray

All: Lord, we are afraid of the Cross...

Change our attitude and help us to accept it as you did. Help us to understand that “all things work out for good to those who love God”. We trust and believe that every single experience in life can help us to become a better person. Lord, we thank you for our crosses.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when he carried up his Cross? 

Were you there when he carried up his Cross?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble , tremble! 

Were you there when he carried up his Cross?

2️⃣ THlRD STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: We fail... We fall... We would like to change, but we are comfortable in our ways, and we like them. “I am like that” -  and so we stop repenting.
What a difference to Our Lord!
As soon as he falls down, he gets up again. He does not give up.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, give us light .. .. so that we may see ouTselves as we really are, and see the value we have in your eyes. Give us the courage to go on, as soon as we have seen, with your help, what ought to be changed within us.

(Stand) 

Leader:

Were you there when the Cross made him fall?
Were you there when the Cross made him fall?
Of Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when the Cross made him fall?

4️⃣ FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   There is no greater union than the one between Jesus and his Mother. They have different mentalities and sometimes their thoughts ran on quite different lines, as happened at the marriage at Cana and when Mary found Jesus in the Temple, but we know that they are always deeply in love.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: What an example, Lord, your Mother and you give us! Reconciliation is the aim of this season. Jesus, Mary, help us to remain one in mind, and to be united by the same spirit, in spite of our differences in age, education, social status, culture, race, sex, religion and the ways in which we think.

(Stand) 

Antiphon: 

Were you there when the Mother met her Son? 

Were you there when the Mother met her Son?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when the Mother met her Son?

5️⃣ FIFTH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   Co-operation is also one of the basic Christian values.

Christ makes the way of the Cross for us. Simon helps him along the way.

Do we co-operate with him as Simon did?

Do we really do our share in bringing salvation to people around us?

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, help us to see you in the many people around us, especially in the poor, the hungry, the sick and the prisoned. Give us compassion that we may reach out to them, for we realise that whatever we do to the least of our brothers, we do it to you.

(Stand) 

Antiphon:

Were you there when Simon took the Cross? 

Were you there when Simon took the Cross?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when Simon took the Cross?

6️⃣ SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

(Kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Veronica is a woman who goes out of her way to show sympathy to one who is sentenced to death. It may be that there are people around us who are rejected, hopeless, drunkards, drug addicts, beggars. And to us, as to most people, they are labelled, already sentenced and condemned. 

Shall we, during this Lent, go out of our way to do something for them?

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, it is not easy to go against the tide... yet, it could be that some of those we consider as “hopeless cases” are victims of prejudice and bad backgrounds.

Give us the courage to accept and to love them.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when she wiped his bruised face?
Were you there when she wiped his bruised face?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when she wiped his bruised face?

7️⃣ SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: We follow the crowd and accept popular prejudice unthinkingly.

We are bound hand and foot by this and by our self-centredness.

And so we refuse to try and take on ourselves the mind of Jesus Christ, and as a result, hobble along, stumbling over the chains which bind us.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: By the humiliation of your second fall, open our eyes and give us the sense of sin, make us understand all that is not of you or of your spirit in our attitude to all that happens to us in our daily lives. Take away our blindness and self-righteousness that we may repent and accept the Gospel.

(stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when he fell a second time? 

Were you there when he fell a second time?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when he fell a second time?

8️⃣ EIGHTH STATION: JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   To weep may be a sign of repentance, we weep because we fail to be reconciled with our neighbour. But weeping is of no value if we only weep through self-pity and without doing anything to improve ourselves.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, once again we pray to you that we may not weep - and remain passive - simply because things are not the way we would like them to be.

Give us the courage to repent... to change... to take part in building up your kingdom.

(Stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when the women wept for him? 

Were you there when the women wept for him?

O! Sometimes it Causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when the women wept for him?

9️⃣ NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

(kneel)

Leader:   We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: If somebody fails us once, we may excuse him. If he fails us the second time, we become impatient. But if he fails us the third time, we are likely to wash our hands of him. “He can't be relied on”, we say. Yet, when we ourselves let someone down, it is very different. We always seem to have good reasons: our health, our cultural background or our surroundings can explain and excuse everything.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, through this meditation on your third fall, help us to be patient with others, help us not to be judgemental, helps us to forgive. For our faults, help us not to be so ready to find excuses for them, but to examine ourselves and to change when needed.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when he stumbled once again? 

Were you there when he stumbled once again?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when he stumbled once again?

1️⃣0️⃣ TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: We put our trust in the things which we can see and touch, and only afterwards in God. We want to feel safe and protected and so we cling to our possessions. We rely more on a solid bank account and on knowing the right people than we do on God. Yet you Lord, allow yourself to be stripped of everything, so that we may see that it does not profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and yet loses his life.

Leader: Let us pray 

All: Lord help us to know and love what is essential for the building up of your kingdom and teach us to rid ourselves of all that does not lead to you and your kingdom.

(Stand) 

Antiphon:
Were you there when they stripped him of his robes? 

Were you there when they stripped him of his robes?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when they stripped him of his robes? 

1️⃣1️⃣ ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   Jesus has walked through the land doing good, announcing the kingdom, forgiving sins

and curing the sick. Those days of activity are behind him now. On the Cross he can move neither 

hand nor foot. Yet it is now above all that he is perfecting the work of reconciling men with God 

and with one another.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, when we suffer and can do little or nothing for ourselves and for others, may we remember that we are hanging with you on the Cross, sharing in your power of making all men one with the Father and each other, through our prayer.

(Stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross? 

Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! 

Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross?

1️⃣2️⃣ TWELFTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader:   Unless the grain of wheat is buried in the earth, it will remain a single grain. But if it falls and dies, then it bears much fruit. We must die to our pride, selfishness, sloth, lust, greed, jealousy and anger, then we can rise to a new life of peace, joy and love.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, we are alive but we are not living because we have allowed sin to take control of us. Help us to die to our sinful self that we may live our true life in you.

(Stand)

Antiphon:

Were you there when he died upon the Cross?
Were you there when he died upon the Cross?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he died upon the Cross?

1️⃣3️⃣ THIRTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: The struggle, the suffering is over for Jesus. He is beyond the reach of his enemies and their power to inflict pain. But his enemies, who are still living, are not at peace, because they have spilled innocent blood, and they too must leave this world sooner or later and go to God. They will not be at peace until they are reconciled with Him.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord you are at peace because you had that greatest love of all — You gave up everything, including your own life, for your brothers and sisters. May we understand that we can only share in your peace and bring your peace to the world if we set aside selfishness and learn to love as you love.

(Stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when they laid him in her arms?
Were you there when they laid him in her arms?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they laid him in her arms?

1️⃣4️⃣ FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

(kneel)

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All:          Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: The enemies of Jesus appeared to have won. Jesus is laid in a tomb: his friends are hiding, afraid they will be arrested. But this victory is a victory only in appearance. God has a surprise in store for the enemies and for the friends of Jesus. On the third day, Jesus is raised from the dead.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: Lord, we like to be what seems to be the winning side. It may seem more important for us to be well-to-do, popular and influential, than to be faithful to you and to your commandment.

But the only victory is the one which survives death - the victory that only you can give to us. Lord, grant us this final victory.

(Stand)

Antiphon: 

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they laid hint in the tomb?

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Leader: If you are risen with Christ, look for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Meditate on the things above, not the things of earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you too, will appear with him in glory. 

All: Lord, together with our fellow man, we are journeying towards our home in Heaven. Help us to remain faithful to you always and to recognize you in our brothers on earth so that we may all reach you in your glory beyond death. Amen.

➕ BLESSING WITH THE CROSS ➕

Priest: May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Priest: May he defend you from all evils and bring you to life eternal. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

All: Amen.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Grieving with Christ in the Spirit of St Francis’ Transitus (Death)

INTRODUCTION

FRIAR: Sisters and brothers, welcome!

we enter this Way of the Cross not just to remember,

but to grieve with Christ, and with St Francis.

Francis did not stand at a distance from the Passion.
He allowed it to touch him, to move him, to transform him.

Today, we do the same: bringing our own grief, our own burdens,

and walking this path with love.

FRIAR:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Opening Prayer

FRIAR and All:

Lord Jesus, as we walk this way of the Cross with You,

draw us into the mystery of Your suffering love.
Teach us, like St Francis, to grieve with hearts that remain open,

so that our sorrow may lead us into deeper union with You. Amen.

LEADER: First station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

FRIAR: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Scripture (John 19:15–16)

LEADER: Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him.”
So he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

Reflection

FRIAR: Jesus stands condemned: truth unrecognised, love rejected. God is misunderstood.

There is a quiet grief here:

The pain of loving, and not being received as love.

In Francis’ own life, he too was misunderstood:

By his family, by society, even by those closest to him.

Yet he did not fight to prove himself right.

He remained in humility, trusting that love need not justify itself.

We too, know this grief.

When we are misjudged, when our intentions are unseen,

when doing good costs us more than we expected…

can we remain gentle? Can we still love?

Grief does not harden Christ. It reveals His love. Pause

Prayer: Let us pray.
ALL: Lord Jesus, misunderstood and condemned, stay with us.
When we are judged unfairly, keep our hearts gentle.
Teach us to love, even when we are not understood. Amen

Please Stand

Stabat Mater

FRIAR and All:

At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.

LEADER: Second station: Jesus Takes Up His Cross

FRIAR: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Scripture (John 19:17)

LEADER: So they took Jesus, and He went out, bearing His own Cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.

Reflection

FRIAR: Jesus takes up the Cross: Not resisting, not escaping.

The grief deepens here: This is the moment of acceptance.

The suffering is no longer distant. It is now His to carry.

Francis came to recognise this mystery slowly.

What he once feared, he eventually embraced,

not because suffering is good, but because it became a place

where he met Christ.

We too know this moment:

the moment we realise: this burden is not going away.

Illness, responsibility, disappointment, loss… something we did not choose, but now must carry.

And grief rises and becomes heavy.

Yet Christ does not carry the Cross alone. Nor do we Pause

Prayer: Let us pray.
ALL: Lord, when the Cross is placed upon us, walk with us.
Teach us to carry what we cannot change with love.
Let our burdens draw us closer to You.

Stabat Mater

FRIAR and All:

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.

LEADER: Third station: Jesus Falls the First Time

FRIAR: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Scripture (Isaiah 53: 4)

LEADER: Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered Him punished by God,

stricken by Him, and afflicted.

Reflection

FRIAR: Jesus falls. The weight is real. The body gives way.

The grief here is quiet but piercing: the grief of limitation,

of discovering that even love, in the flesh, grows tired.

Francis knew this kind of weakness.

His body, once strong, became frail through illness.

His strength faded, his sight dimmed, and he had to depend on others.

He accepted his weakness and frailty with peace,

as part of his union with Christ.

And so we are invited to bring our own falling:

the moments we cannot cope, when we break,

when we realise we are not as strong as we thought.

There is grief in that. But Christ is already there.

He does not wait for us to stand. He meets us in the dust. Pause

Prayer: Let us pray.
ALL: Lord Jesus, You who fell under the Cross, meet us in our weakness.
When we feel overwhelmed, do not let us despair.
Lift us gently, and help us rise again.