WAY OF THE CROSS 14 Stations of the

WAY OF THE CROSS 14 Stations of the Cross & Reflections

OPENING PRAYER Leader: The way of the cross begins anew every day. We meet Christ in the streets, market square, in the hospitals, in prisons, everyday work environment, in schools. Do we try to bring to others some of His peace and love?

All: Lord, help us to be generous enough to walk the road to Calvary as you did, and to work for justice, love and peace.

THE FIRST STATION JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

THE FIRST STATION JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

Leader: Pilate called the people and said, “I have examined him and I have not found Him guilty of any of the things of which you accuse Him. I will have Him whipped then and let Him go. ” The whole crowd cried out. “Kill Him! To the cross with Him…to the cross. ” (Luke 23: 1314, 21) (Pause)

Unborn & Sentenced to Death All: Lord, we recognize You in the unborn and the one sentenced to death, both have the right to life and the opportunity to repent and to make the world a better place.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Love it was that made us, And it was love that saved us, Love was God’s plan when He made man, God’s divine nature is love. Born of God’s love we must love Him, That’s why He made us to love Him, But only when we love all men, Can we partake of God’s love.

THE SECOND STATION JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS

THE SECOND STATION JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: When the crowd had finished making fun of Jesus, they led Him out to nail to the Cross (Mk 15: 20). He starts to walk with it through the streets and uphill towards Calvary. (Pause)

Children with Special Needs All: Lord we see You in the child with special needs … we realize that every child has the right to be loved, educated with empathy and be given a conducive environment for integral human development.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn On a hill far away, Stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross, Where the dearest and best, For a world of lost sinners was slain Chorus: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown

THE THIRD STATION JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

THE THIRD STATION JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: Consider the first fall of Jesus under the cross. They had made a crown of thorny branches and put it on His head. They had beaten Him over the head with a stick. (Mark 15: 17, 19). Christ was so weakened that He could scarcely walk and yet He had to carry the great load upon His shoulders. (Pause)

Addiction All: Lord, when we look around us we see many people fall under the weight of poverty of the mind, body, soul and spirit. We fail to see Christ falling through persons captive to addictions. Under the weight of this affliction, it is in the rising with you that we can walk with such as these.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn God gives His people strength. If we believe in His way, He’s swift to repay, All those who share the burden of the day. God gives His people strength.

THE FOURTH STATION JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

THE FOURTH STATION JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: There was never a greater union or communion than the one between Jesus and His Mother. Sometimes their thoughts ran on quite different lines, as happened at the marriage in Cana and when Mary found Her young son in the Temple, but never do we find any sign of anger, impatience or rejection between them. (Pause)

Family All: What an example Lord, you and your Mother give us. Reconciliation with God and with one another is an essential goal of Christian life. Jesus, Mary, help us to remain in one mind, united by the same Spirit, in spite of our differences in age, education and the ways in which we think.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Through Her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His better anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed.

THE FIFTH STATION SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS

THE FIFTH STATION SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: They took Jesus away. As they went, they met a man named Simon, who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him and made him carry it. (Pause)

Migrants All: Lord, you needed the help of Simon in the salvation of the world. You need each one of us. Help us to do all in our power to encourage the free and responsible participation of every man in the building up of a Christian world.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Follow Christ and love the world as He did, When He walked upon the earth. Love each friend and enemy as He did, In God’s eyes we have equal worth.

THE SIXTH STATION VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

THE SIXTH STATION VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: Veronica goes out of her way to show sympathy to one who is condemned to death. St. Paul reminds us, “Don’t be afraid. Always be courageous, for you have been given the privilege of serving Christ not only by believing in Him but also by suffering for him. ” (Pause)

Justice & Peace All: We encounter you, Lord and get opportunities of serving you in every act of our daily life, in our work, our leisure, in our struggles of our brothers and sisters. But sometimes Lord, we are afraid of the crowd, afraid to pull down the barriers that prevent us from reaching out to others. Give us the faith and courage of Veronica.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Do you know that the Lord dwells in men? Do you know He resides in their hearts? His face is shining in everyone we meet. Do you know He’s disguised as every man?

THE SEVENTH STATION JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

THE SEVENTH STATION JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: He took upon Himself the iniquities of us all. He was offered because it was His own will. (Pause)

Refugees All: We honour the dignity in these persons as each one of us is created in Your image and likeness… Through Your rising from the second fall, we rise with You to create awareness, educate, empower and advocate.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn By my sins I have abandoned, Right and claim to heaven above. Where the saints rejoice forever, In a boundless sea of love. Chorus: Jesus! Lord! I ask for mercy, Let me not implore in vain! All my sins I now detest them, Help me not to sin again.

THE EIGHTH STATION JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

THE EIGHT STATION JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: A large crowd of people followed Him; among them were some women who were weeping and waiting for Him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for Me, but for yourselves and your children. ” (Lk 23: 27 -28) There is no sin so small, so obscure that it does not produce suffering. (Pause)

Women & Children All: Lord, once again we pray to You for the courage to repent, to change, to take our share in building up Your kingdom. Let us not weep and remain passive simply because things are not the way we would like them to be but transform them into a means of sanctification and salvation for us.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give, I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all (2 x) All to Thee my Blessed Saviour, I surrender all.

THE NINTH STATION JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

THE NINTH STATION JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: “Completely drained of strength I lie, collapsed upon cobblestones. My body cannot move. No blows, no kicks can rouse it up. And yet, My Will is Mine. And so is yours. Know this My other self, your body may be broken, but no force on earth and none in hell can take away your will. Your will is yours. ” (Pause)

Prisoners All: Loving Lord you always come to meet us wherever we are. Give to all those serving sentences in our prisons the strength to lift first their eyes and then their hearts to recognise Your light. Help us to realize there is no justice without mercy and forgiveness.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Jesus keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain, Free to all a healing stream, Flows from Calvary’s mountain. In the Cross, in the Cross, Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find, Rest beyond the river.

THE TENTH STATION JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

THE TENTH STATION JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: When Jesus is stripped at Golgotha, He is stripped also of His dignity, His respects, His rights. He is also stripped of His life. Our Lord is with no assistance. He stands alone; naked, beaten, bruised, tortured and tormented. (Pause)

Urban Poor All: Today, Lord, You are stripped of Your garments in the defenseless who are denied all human dignityin those who have no one to plead their cause. Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Make me a channel of Your peace, Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love, Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in You.

THE ELEVENTH STATION JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

THE ELEVENTH STATION JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: When they came to the place called ‘The Skull’, they nailed Jesus to the cross there, and the two criminals, one on His right and one on His left. (Lk 23: 33) (Pause)

Differently Abled All: Lord, You make each living person in Your image as Your gift of love and commitment to the human race. A seed to build a community of interdependence and respect for all life. We give thanks for those who are differently abled who contribute their time and talent in the building up of Your kingdom.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Search me, O God, And know my heart today. Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts I pray. See if there is some wicked way in me, Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

THE TWELFTH STATION JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

THE TWELFTH STATION JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: It was about 12 o’clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until 3 o’clock and the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I place my spirit. ” He said this and died. (Pause)

Trafficking All: Lord, help us to die daily to self interest, to self sufficiency. Help us to commit ourselves to the work of salvation so that we shall be able to say with you, “Into Your hands I commend my spirit. ”

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn We stand for God, Jesus our Master, Has died to save with love untold, His law divine and truth unchanging, In this our land their place must hold. Strengthen our faith Redeemer, Guard us when danger is nigh, To Thee we pledge our lives and service Strong in a trust that ne’er can die. (twice)

THE THIRTEENTH STATION JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

THE THIRTEENTH STATION JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: The struggle, the suffering is over for Jesus. He is beyond the reach of His enemies and their power to inflict pain. But His enemies, who are still living, are not at peace because they have spilled innocent blood and they too must leave this world sooner or later and go to God. They will not be at peace until they are reconciled with Jesus whom they persecuted, with all men. (Pause)

Persons living with HIV All: Lord, You are at peace because You had that greatest love of all. You gave up everything including Your own life for Your brothers and sisters. May we understand that we can only share in Your peace and bring Your peace to the world if we set aside our inhibitions and selfishness and learn to love as You love.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn Chorus: O Cross reign victorious! O Cross! Thou wilt redeem us. Renew our strength and valour, Uplift the downcast man, Prize hope in life’s dark hour, To deathless life the span. (Chorus)

THE FOURTEENTH STATION JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

THE FOURTEENTH STATION JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: world Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the

Leader: When we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were buried with Him and shared His death in order that just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father so also we might live a new life. (Romans 6: 3 -4) (Pause)

Elderly All: Lord, help us to recognize You in the elderly. They have contributed much to their families and the community in the prime of their lives and need our presence and companionship to spend their last years with dignity and respect. Bless those who have grown gracefully in Your love and give them courage and strength in their faith. Lead us all to eternal glory.

Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

Hymn I have decided to follow Jesus (3 x) No turning back, no turning back. The world behind me, the Cross before me (3 x) No turning back, no turning back. Though no one join me, I still will follow (3 x) No turning back, no turning back. Take the whole world, but give me Jesus (3 x) I’ll follow Him, I’ll follow Him

CLOSING PRAYER Leader: Now we have come to the glorious conclusion of our rescue. On the third day, Jesus is risen in his glorious body. This is what gives meaning to all that He went through before – the action of saving men is a complete one, a passing through life in the flesh into a new life of oneness with the Father.

All: Jesus, Risen Savior, help us to become a part of Your great redemptive act, Your ‘Passover’. Help us to make our own journey with You, turning away from sin and selfishness and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to You, so that we will have the genuine happiness of being with You and the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever in heaven. Amen.

Let us say One Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be for the intentions of the Pope.