The Stations of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Almighty, ever living God, you have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled your will by becoming man and giving his life on the cross. Help us to bear witness to you by following his example of suffering and make us worthy to share in his resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Before Each Station
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
After Each Station
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Concluding Prayer for the Pope
Father of Providence, look with love on our Pope, your appointed successor to Saint Peter on whom you built your Church. May he be the visible center and foundation of our unity in faith and love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Station Pilate Condems Jesus to Die. Jesus has been scourged and crowned with thorns. Now, Pilate unjustly condemns Him to die upon a cross. |
 |
The Second Station Jesus is given a cross to carry on His bleeding and bruised shoulders. He takes this cross upon Himself as He takes upon Himself all of our sins. |
 |
The Third Station Jesus, weakened by all His suffering, stumbles and falls on the way to Calvary. He struggles and rises, despite His pain, to go onward toward His death. |
 |
The Fourth Station. Jesus, on His way to Calvary, sees His Mother. Both are stricken with grief. Her love for Him is surpassed only by His love and concern for her. |
|
The Fifth Station. Jesus is growing weaker. Fearing that He may not be able to go on, His executioners force Simon of Cyrene to help Him carry His cross. |
 |
The Sixth Station. Jesus' face is bathed in sweat and blood. Veronica, moved by pity, wipes His face with her veil and the image of His holy face is imprinted on the cloth. |
 |
The Seventh Station. Jesus falls again under the weight of the cross. His executioners drag Him to His feet and force Him to go onward to Calvary. |
 |
The Eighth Station. Jesus is so bruised and bleeding that the women of Jerusalem weep when they see Him. He tells them, "Weep not for me, but rather for your children." |
 |
The Ninth Station. Jesus, weak and exhausted, falls for the third time.Though He hardly has strength to move, they try to make Him walk faster. |
 |
The Tenth Station. Jesus has reached the summit of Calvary, the place of His execution. As they strip Him of His garments, they reopen His bleeding wounds. |
 |
The Eleventh Station. Jesus is now thrown down upon the cross. His executioners violently stretch His limbs and fasten them with crude nails to the wood. |
 |
The Twelfth Station. Jesus is crucified. After three hours of agony and pain, He commends His spirit to His Father, bows His head and dies. |
 |
The Thirteenth Station. Jesus' lifeless body is taken from the cross by His discilpes Joseph and Nicodemus. Tenderly, they place Him in the arms of His sorrowing Mother. |
 |
The Fourteenth Station. Jesus' body is wrapped in a shroud and placed in a nearby sepulchre of a friend. Then a large stone is rolled against the entrance and they depart. |
 |
|
