Leader: We Adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,

All: Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

After being condemned by Pilate, Jesus not only accepted His suffering, but took up His Cross for us. He was crowned with thorns, scorned and whipped, cloaked in purple, and forced to take up His Cross. He could have given up, He could have stopped everyone, but instead He took up His Cross and died for us and our sins. 

During this Lenten season, how are you taking up your cross through fasting, almsgiving, and prayer?

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, please watch over us as we take up our crosses this Lent. Help us realize that You are there every step of the way whether through pain, sadness, and anger, or happiness and peace. Help us to follow You on this path to Heaven. 

We ask this through Christ, our Lord, Amen.