Stations of
the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ's last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
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The Way of the Cross
Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.’ (Matthew 16.24,25)
Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace. (Ephesians 2.13,14)
Let us pray.
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Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards us, sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross. Grant that we may follow the example of his obedience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 1: Jesus Is Condemned
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
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Read Mark 14:61-64
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All-powerful and eternal Father, for living and proclaiming the truth-
Your Son, Jesus Christ, was condemned to death by crucifixion.
It was for us that You suffered. It was for our sins that You were condemned to die. O, Jesus, grant that we may detest our sins, and obtain your mercy and pardon by repentance. Stir up your love in us, so that we might be faithful to all that you have taught us, and fear nothing more than the loss of you.
To you, Jesus, innocent though condemned, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 2
Jesus Accepts His Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
John 19:14-17
Lord Jesus, you faced the torment of barbaric punishment, mocking tongues, and unbearable abuse. O Jesus, grant us, by virtue of your cross, to embrace with meekness and cheerful submission the difficulties of our life. May we be ever ready to take up our cross and follow You, knowing that when we are overburdened, you will carry us, too.
To you, Jesus, the King crowned with thorns, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 3 Jesus Falls the First Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Isaiah 63:2-5
Lord Jesus, You bore the weight of our sins when you carried this cross, may the remembrance of your suffering make us watchful over ourselves and prevent us from falling into sin. Help us to realize the depth and the cost of your love for us. Be with those who are loaded with burdens beyond their strength.
To you, Jesus, bearing a cross not your own, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 4 Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
John 19:25-27
Lord Jesus, both your mother and your dearest friend, John, stayed with you to the bitter end. Even when overwhelmed with pain, you cared for them. Please comfort and care for all the broken and lonely today. Fill us with love for one another that is stronger than even the fear of death.
To you, Jesus, loving in the face of death, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 5
Simon of Cyrene is Made to Bear the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Mark 15:20-22
Lord Jesus, may we never shrink from suffering but rather rejoice if we should be counted worthy to suffer for your name’s sake. Thank you for those who help us with their greater strength when we are in need. And be with those who are heavy-laden with troubles. Use us to bear their burdens. Open us to the needs of others, so that we might as readily help them as we would help Jesus himself.
To you, Jesus, weighed down and in need of help, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
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Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Matthew 25:37-40
Almighty and ever-loving God, we feel your love and understanding in the care and support we receive from one another. Give us, we beg you, the courage and faithfulness to sacrifice for, and to suffer with, those who need us. May the contemplation of your sufferings move us to deep compassion.
To you, Jesus, whose body we share, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 7
Jesus Falls the Second Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Isaiah 53:4-7
Prayer:
O Jesus, who fell a second time beneath the weight of the cross, how often have I wounded and hurt you by choosing sin! I try to follow you, but sometimes I fail & fall because of my sin. Make us hate sin and please kindle in our hearts, greater love for You. Teach me the secret of rejoicing in my weakness, so that in all I do, your strength may be shown to others.
To you, Jesus, humbly and quietly carrying our sin and shame, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 8
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Luke 23:27-28
Lord Jesus, the women of Jerusalem wept for you. We also mourn, for your suffering, and for our sins which caused them. Oh, teach us to repent, so we may be saved. Save us from the dreadful end of those who reject and neglect you. May we weep at the brokenness in our world.
To you, Jesus, the King of peace who wept for those who needed peace, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 9
Jesus Falls a Third Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Psalm 26:1-3
O Jesus, we ask you to forgive us when we continue to sin. May the thought of Your suffering, make us hate our sins more and more. Please, have mercy upon us.
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To you, Jesus, faithful and obedient until the end, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
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Station 10
Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Mt. 27:34-35
Ps. 68:21-22
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Lord Jesus Christ, you were stripped of everything and humiliated before the whole world. Please strip us of all pride and make us humble like you, so that we may share your glory in the life to come. Clothe us with genuine love for others, so that nothing we suffer may ever bind us with hatred or bitterness.
To you, Jesus, friend of sinners and full of forgiveness, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 11
Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Luke 23:33-35
Ps. 21:2-3, 15-16, 17b
O Jesus our king nailed to the cross, please fasten our hearts to the cross, so that we may be united with you. You loved and forgave even as nails were driven into your body. Transform our pain into loving forgiveness by your grace. When violent people win, may we continue to believe, and live, in peace.
To you, Jesus, our crucified Lord, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 12
Jesus Dies on the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Luke 23:44-46
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Lord Jesus, you suffered and died by the worst of all torture and descended to the darkest place of all. We now embrace you on your saving cross, so that we may truly be free. We hail your cross, and lovingly accept our own. Give peace to those who die at the hands of others. And illumine our darkness with your glorious presence.
To you, Jesus, your lifeless body hanging on the tree of shame,
be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
My people, what have I done to you? or in what have I offended you?Answer me. What more should I have done, and did not do?I led you out of the land of Egypt, and you prepared a cross for me.I opened the Red Sea before you, and you opened my side with a lance.I gave you a royal scepter, and you have given me a crown of thorns.With great power I lifted you up, and you have hung me upon a cross.My people, what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you?Answer me. (from the Reproaches of Good Friday)
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Our Father, Who art in heaven,
hallowed be 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.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Station 13
Jesus Body is Taken Down From the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Luke 23:50-53
Dear Father,
May we continue to hope and pray for your kingdom to come,
even when it seems that we have nothing left to hope for.
To you, Jesus, hope for the hopeless and light in the darkness, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Station 14
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Mark 15:46
Lord Jesus, Lord of life, you bore the curse for us and now your suffering is over. Though in the eyes of men, you may seem to have failed; this was a glorious victory! Sin, death, and hell have been conquered. The world is Yours, we are Yours. Be our King. We surrender to your Holy Will and may Your kingdom come!
To you, Jesus, who embraced death and entered hell, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.