As early as the 4th c., Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land would walk
the route that Our Lord walked as He made His way to Golgotha for our
salvation. When Muslims captured Jerusalem and it became too dangerous
to make this pilgrimage, Christians
replicated the sites back home in Europe, and there developed the
"Stations of the Cross" devotion (also known as "Way of the Cross,"
"Via Dolorosa," or "Via Crucis"). (As an aside, see also how labyrinths were and are used in praying
this devotion).
The devotion consists of meditating on 14 events -- that number being
fixed in 1731 by Pope Clement XII -- which took place during Christ's
Passion, from His being condemned to His burial. Franciscans
popularized the devotion, which was originally made outside, often
along roads to shrines or churches. The Way of the Cross can still be
made outside, of course -- a perfect idea for a Mary Garden -- but is usually made inside
nowadays, especially during the Season of
Lent and most especially on Good
Friday.
If you enter a Catholic Church and look along the walls of the nave
(where the parishioners sit), you should see 14 representations on the
walls which depict 14 events of Christ's Passion that have been singled
out for contemplation. It is at these blessed artistic representations,
these "stations" -- which can be painted, carved, engraved, of wood,
metal, painted on canvas, etc., and should be topped with a wooden
Cross -- that the
Way of the Cross is made during public liturgy. The Way of the Cross
can also be made privately, even at home, with or without "visual aids."
When
the Way of the Cross is made in groups, each person first makes the Sign of the Cross, makes an Act of Contrition (i.e., expresses penitence
through prayer) and mentally intends to gain indulgences,
for himself or another. Then, typically, at each station:
- the leader will announce the name of the station
- the leader will lead with a statement of praise, such as "We
adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee"
- the people will respond, with, for example, using the above
acclamation, "Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world."
- the leader will read a meditative reading, upon which all
should meditate in penitence, thanking God for His sacrifice and
uniting himself with that sacrifice (often by identifying with Mary)
- all pray an Our Father
- all pray a Hail Mary
- all pray a Glory Be
- traditionally, between the stations, successive stanzas of
the hymn called Stabat Mater are sung -- a hymn known since at
least 1388 A.D. and possibly written by Pope Innocent III who died in
1216 A.D.
The
meditations and prayers may vary, but the general outline above is
pretty standard. The most popular way of making the Stations of the
Cross is to use the meditations written by St. Alphonsus Liguori (A.D.
1696-1787); that method (including meditations, prayers and the Stabat
Mater stanzas) appear below, with Scriptural
references added. You can download these in .pdf format here.
See this site's Hymns page to hear a
traditional melody of the Stabat Mater stanzas (many, many
composers have written works for the text of the Stabat Mater over the
centuries, so you may hear numerous variations).
Making
the Way of the Cross carries with it a partial indulgence under the usual conditions. To
gain a plenary indulgence, the following norms must be followed, in
addition to the usual conditions:
- The pious exercise must be made before stations of the Way of
the Cross legitimately erected.
- For the erection of the Way of the Cross fourteen crosses are
required, to which it is customary to add fourteen pictures or images,
which represent the stations of Jerusalem.
- According to the more common practice, the pious exercise
consists of fourteen pious readings, to which some vocal prayers are
added. However, nothing more is required than a pious meditation on the
Passion and Death of the Lord, which need not be a particular
consideration of the individual mysteries of the stations.
- A movement from one station to the next is required. But if
the pious exercise is made publicly and if it is not possible for all
taking part to go in an orderly way from station to station, it
suffices if at least the one conducting the exercise goes from station
to station, the others remaining in their place.
Those
who are "impeded" can gain the same indulgence if they spend at least
one half an hour in pious reading and meditation on the Passion and
Death of our Lord Jesus Christ. To walk the Via Dolorsa virtually, see this page.
The Stations
The
14 stations are 1:
Jesus is Condemned to Die
Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
Jesus Falls the First Time
Jesus Meets His Mother
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face
Jesus Falls the Second Time
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus Falls the Third Time
Jesus is Stripped
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
The Way of the Cross by
Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787),
with Scriptural references and the
stanzas of the Stabat Mater added
SIGN OF THE CROSS AND
FORMATION OF INTENTIONS
(Make the Sign of the Cross
and say:)
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, world without end.
(Now one forms the
intention of gaining indulgences, either for one's self or for others)
ACT OF CONTRITION
My Lord Jesus Christ, Thou
hast made this journey to die for me with love unutterable, and I have
so many times unworthily abandoned Thee; but now I love Thee with my
whole heart, and because I love Thee I repent sincerely for having ever
offended Thee. Pardon me, my God, and permit me to accompany Thee on
this journey. Thou goest to die for love of me; I wish also, my beloved
Redeemer, to die for love of Thee. My Jesus, I will live and die always
united to Thee.
FIRST STATION
Jesus is Condemned to Death
(John 3:16, Isaias 53:7, John 18:33-John 19:1-16)
V.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, that Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with
thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross. My
adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins, that condemned
Thee to die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of this sorrowful journey,
to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity.
I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent
with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to
separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and
then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Stabat Mater dolorosa (At the cross her station keeping)
Juxta crucem lacrymosa (Stood the mournful Mother weeping)
Dum pendebat Filius (Close to Jesus to the last)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
SECOND STATION
Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
(Isaias 53:4-6, Matthew 27:31, Luke 9:23)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, that Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His
shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us, to His Father, the death
that He was about to undergo. My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the
tribulations that Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech
Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy
cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect
patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, I repent of
having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee
again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou
wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Cujus animan gementem (Through her heart, His sorrow sharing)
Contristatam, et dolentem (All His bitter anguish bearing)
Pertransivit gladius (Now at length the sword had passed)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
THIRD STATION
Jesus Falls for the First Time
(Isaias 53:6)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, this first fall of Jesus under His cross. His flesh was torn
by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great
quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and
yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers
struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey.
My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the cross, but of my sins,
which has made Thee suffer so much pain. Ah, by the merits of this
first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin.
I love Thee, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having
offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may
love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
O quam tristis et afflicta (Oh, how sad and sore distressed)
Fuit illa benedicta (Was that Mother highly blessed)
Mater Unigeniti (Of the sole-begotten One!)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
FOURTH STATION
Jesus Meets His Mother
(John 19:25-27, John 16:22)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, the meeting of
the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and
Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to
wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.
My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this
meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy
Mother. And thou, my Queen, who wast overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain
for me by thy intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the
Passion of thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever
having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that
I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Quae moerebat, et dolebat (Christ above in torment hangs)
Pia Mater, dum videbat (She beneath beholds the pangs)
Nati poenas inclyti (Of her dying, glorious Son)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
FIFTH STATION
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
(Matthew 27:30-32, Matthew 25:40, Galatians 6:2)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the Jews
seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of
expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way when they wished Him
to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the
Cyrenian to carry the cross behind Our Lord.
My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I
accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou
hast destined for me with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite
it to Thy death, I offer it to Thee. Thou has died for love of me, I
will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I
love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never
permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and
then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Quis est homo qui non flerent (Is there one who would not weep)
Matrem Christi si videret (Whelmed in miseries so deep)
In tanto supplicio? (Christ's dear Mother to behold?)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
SIXTH STATION
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
(Isaias 52:14, John 14:9)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the holy
woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in
sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel with which He wiped His
adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.
My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this
journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have
disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received
Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins. Thou
alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its former beauty. Do this by
Thy Passion, O Jesus. I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me
to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do
with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Quis non posset contristari (Can the human heart refrain)
Christi Matrem contemplari (From partaking in her pain)
Dolentem cum Filio? (In that Mother's pain untold?)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
SEVENTH STATION
Jesus Falls a Second Time
(Hebrews 4:15)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider the second fall of
Jesus under the cross—a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of
the head and members of our afflicted Lord.
My most gentle Jesus, how many times Thou hast pardoned me, and how
many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offend Thee! Oh, by
the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere
in Thy grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assail me
I may always commend myself to Thee. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with
my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to
offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with
me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Pro peccatis Suae gentis (Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled)
Vidit Jesum in tormentis (She beheld her tender Child)
Et flagellis subditum (All with bloody scourges rent)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
EIGHTH STATION
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
(Luke 23:27-31, John 15:6)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that those women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in so
pitiable a state, streaming with blood, as He walked along. But Jesus
said to them, "Weep not for Me but for your children."
My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses that I have
committed against Thee, because of the pains which they have deserved,
and still more because of the displeasure which they have caused Thee,
Who hast loved me so much. It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell,
which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love Thee more than
myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend
Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what
Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Vidit suum dulcem Natum (For the sins of His own nation)
Moriendo desolatum (Saw Him hang in desolation)
Dum emisit spiritum (Till His spirit forth He sent)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
NINTH STATION
Jesus Falls the Third Time
(Philippians 2:5-7, Luke 14:11)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
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 had scarcely strength to move. Ah, my outraged Jesus, by
the merits of the weakness Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, give
me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect and all my wicked
passions, which have led me to despise Thy friendship. I love Thee,
Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee.
Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee
always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Eia Mater, fons amoris (Ah Mother, fountain of love)
Me sentire vim doloris (make me feel the force of the sorrow)
Fac, ut tecum lugeam (so that I may mourn with you)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
TENTH STATION
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
(John 19:23-25, Luke 14:33)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His
inner garments adhered to His torn flesh and they dragged them off so
roughly that the skin came with them. Compassionate your Saviour thus
cruelly treated, and say to Him:
My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment which Thou hast felt,
help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order
that I may place all my love in Thee, Who art so worthy of my love. I
love Thee, O Jesus, with my whole heart: I repent of having offended
Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee
always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Fac ut ardeat cor meum (Make me feel as thou hast felt)
In amando Christum Deum (Make my soul to glow and melt)
Ut sibi complaceam (With the love of Christ, my Lord)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
(Psalm 22:17-18, Zacharias 12:10, Luke 23:33)
V.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that Jesus, after being thrown on the cross, extended His
hands, and offered to His eternal Father the sacrifice of His life for
our salvation. These barbarians fastened Him with nails; and then,
raising the cross, left Him to die with anguish on this infamous
gibbet.
My Jesus, loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Thy feet, that it may
ever remain there to love Thee, and never quit Thee again. I love Thee
more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to
offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with
me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
TWELFTH STATION
Jesus Dies on the Cross
(Luke 23:46, John 19:30, Philippians 2:8-9)
V.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider how thy Jesus, after three hours of agony on the cross,
consumed at length with anguish, abandons Himself to the weight of His
body, bows His head, and dies.
O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the cross on which Thou didst die for
love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death, but Thy
death is my hope. Ah, by the merits of Thy death, give me grace to die,
embracing Thy feet and burning with love of Thee. I commit my soul into
Thy hands. I love Thee with my whole heart; I repent of ever having
offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may
love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Tui Nati vulnerati (Let me share with thee His pain)
Tam dignati pro me pati (Who for all our sins was slain)
Poenas mecum divide (Who for me in torments died)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
THIRTEENTH STATION
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
(Luke 23:50-53, John 19:31-37, Luke 24:26)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that, our Lord having expired, two of His disciples, Joseph
and Nicodemus, took Him down from the cross, and placed Him in the arms
of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with unutterable tenderness,
and pressed Him to her bosom.
O Mother of Sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for thy servant
and pray to Him for me. And Thou, my Redeemer, since Thou hast died for
me, permit me to love Thee; for I wish but Thee, my Jesus, and I repent
of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again.
Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Fac me tecum pie flere (Let me mingle tears with thee)
Crucifixo condolere (Mourning Him Who mourned for me)
Donec ego vixero (All the days that I may live)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
FOURTEENTH STATION
Jesus is Laid in His Tomb
(Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42, John 12:24-25, Romans 6:10-11)
V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it,
accompanied by His holy Mother, who arranged it in the sepulchre with
her own hands. They then closed the tomb and all withdrew.
Oh, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses Thee. But Thou
didst rise again the third day. I beseech Thee, by Thy resurrection,
make me rise glorious with Thee at the last day, to be always united
with Thee in heaven, to praise Thee and love Thee forever. I love Thee,
and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend
Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee; and then do with me what Thou
wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Juxta Crucem tecum stare (By the cross with thee to stay)
Et me tibi sociare (There with thee to weep and pray)
In plactu desidero (Is all I ask of thee to give)
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas ( Holy Mother! pierce me through)
Crucifixi fige plagas (In my heart each wound renew)
Cordi meo valide (Of my Saviour crucified)
PRAYERS IN HONOR OF THE
PASSION
O my Lord Jesus, in honor
of Thy Passion and death, I offer the following prayers:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
PRAYERS FOR THE
INTENTIONS OF THE HOLY FATHER
O, my Lord Jesus, I offer
the following prayers as my petition for this month's intentions of our
Holy Father, the Pope:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. And 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER TO JESUS
CHRIST CRUCIFIED
Behold, O kind and most
sweet Jesus, I cast myself on my knees in Thy sight, and with the most
fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beg Thee to impress upon my heart
lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for
my sins, and a firm desire of amendment, while with deep affection and
grief of soul I contemplate Thy five most precious Wounds, having
before my eyes that which David spoke in prophecy: "They pierced My
hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones." God has loved us
from all eternity. So He says: "Remember I first loved you. You had not
come to be, nor did the world yet exist, but I loved you already. From
all eternity I have loved you."
Footnote:
1 A novel variation
you might see (and should ignore) in the enumeration of the Stations
adds a 15th station -- Christ's Resurrection. The reason this should be
ignored is because a) it changes the very purpose of the Lenten "Way of
the Cross" devotion, which is to focus on His Passion, b) it is not
traditional, and c) it is an appeasement to Protestants and to those
who support the "Paschal Mystery Theology" that has destroyed the
liturgy.
Yet another variation you might see (and should ignore), another
designed to appease Protestants because it lacks the stations not
explicitly enumerated in Scripture, lists the following 14 stations:
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemani
Jesus Betrayed by Judas
Jesus Condemned by the Sanhedrin
Jesus denied by Peter
Jesus Condemned by the People
Jesus Crowned with Thorns and Clothed in Purple
Jesus Carries the Cross
Jesus Assisted by Simon of Cyrene
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus is Crucified
Jesus Speaks to the Thief
Jesus Speaks to his Mother
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
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