The Way of the Cross is a way of prayer. We walk, in spirit, with Jesus on His journey to Calvary and meditate on His suffering, death and resurrection. In each station we can meet some aspect of our relationship with the Lord and with others.
Suggested opening song:
Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom (Taize)
OPENING SCRIPTURE TEXT
Jesus said “if anyone wants to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross every day and follow me.” (Luke 9: 23).
We say together:
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
1. Jesus is condemned to die – Have we been too quick to judge someone? Lord, help me to see the people in my life through Your eyes, not the eyes of a rash or convenient judgement.
2. Jesus takes up His Cross – St Paul wrote: “Carry each other’s burdens.
That is how to keep the law of Christ”
3. Jesus falls for the First Time – When others fall,
do we put more energy into laughing at them
and thinking how much they deserved it,
rather than helping them to get back up?
4. Jesus meets His Blessed Mother
We pray for all the mothers in our city,
watching the children they brought into the world
going to their death because of sickness,
addictions or crime.
5. Simon the Cyrene helps Jesus carry His Cross
Simon was pulled from the crowd to help someone he had never met. Lord help us to be patient when landed in situations we would not have chosen.
6. Veronica wipes the Holy Face of Jesus
Veronica took the risk of stepping out from the crowd to do an act of kindness. Lord, give us that courage.
7. Jesus falls the Second Time
Lord, when faced with failure and disappointments, help us not to hide behind self-pity, withdrawing from You and others. Grant us the hope we need to move forward and not be afraid to begin again.
8. Jesus comforts the Women of Jerusalem
Even though his closest friends had abandoned him
and he was being led to his death, the Lord still had the sensitivity to feel for others.
Lord, grant me your compassion.
9. Jesus falls for the Third Time
The forgiveness of God always offers us a new beginning.
10. Jesus is stripped of His garments
With the words we say, we can strip people down so that they feel very small, or we can build them up to what they can become. Lord, help us to use words wisely.
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Lord, sometimes we feel nailed: in an awful situation we can’t get out of. Give us strength in knowing that no matter where we are, you are God-with-us.
12. Jesus dies on the Cross
Lord, your death shows how your Love is always prepared to go to the very end for our good.
13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
14: The body of Jesus is placed in the Tomb
We think of all the funerals we have been to since last Easter.
Lord, reward the goodness of our loved ones who have died.
We say together:
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
End by slowly praying the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father….
Concluding Prayer:
God our Father,
Your Son poured himself out in love to the end
to break the power of evil over us.
Give your people the grace to rise again with Christ
he who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.