Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross updated on March 24, 2016

First Station - Jesus Condemned to Death

It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he (Pilate) said to the Jews: "Behold your King!" But they cried out:"Take Him Away! Take Him Away! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them:"Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered: "We have no king but Caesar"! Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified. [John 19:14-16]

Meditation/Prayer>>>>>[O Jesus! so meek and uncomplaining, teach me resignation in trials.]

Second Station - Jesus Carries His Cross

So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross Himself He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. [John 19:16-17]

[My Jesus, this Cross should be mine, not Thine; my sins crucified Thee.]

Third Station - Our Lord Falls the First Time

Because of His affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; Through His suffering, My Servant shall justify many and their guilt He shall bear. [Isaias 53: 11]

[O Jesus! by this first fall, never let me fall into mortal sin.]

Fourth Station - Jesus Meets His Mother

To what can I liken or compare you, O Daughter of Jerusalem? What example can I show you for your comfort, virgin daughter Zion? Bitterly she weeps at night, tears upon her cheeks, With not one to console her of all her dear ones; Her friends have all betrayed her and become her enemies. [Lamentations 2:13, 1:2]

[O Jesus! may no human tie, however dear, keep me from following the road of the Cross.]

Fifth Station - Simon the Cyrenian Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross. [Matthew 27:32]

[O Jesus! let me be your Cyrenian and grant me the patience to suffer all for Thee.]

Sixth Station - Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Many say, "Oh, that we might see better times!" O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!. [Psalm 4:7]

[O Jesus! Thou didst imprint Thy Sacred Features upon Veronica's veil; stamp them also indelibly upon my heart.]

Seventh Station - The Second Fall of Jesus

A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented Him.. [Luke 23:27]

[By Thy second fall, preserve me, dear Lord, from relapse into sin.]

Eight Station - Jesus Admonishes the Women of Jerusalem

"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me: weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say: Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed. For if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" [Luke 23:28-29, 31]

[My greatest consolation would be to hear Thee say: "Many sins are forgiven thee, because thou hast loved much." ]

Ninth Station - The Third Fall of Jesus

My people, what have I done to you, or in what way have I offended you? Answer Me!

I led you out of the land of Egypt, and you have led Me to the cross.Forty years I fed you in the desert, and you have beaten Me with blows and scourges. I gave you a royal scepter, and you have given Me a crown of thorns.

What more ought I do for you that I have not done? [Reproaches of Good Friday]

[O Jesus! when weary upon life's long journey, be Thou my strength and my perseverance.]

Tenth Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

They look on and gloat over Me; they divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. [Psalm 22:18-19]

[My soul has been robbed of its innocence; clothe me, dear Jesus, with the garb of penance and contrition.]

Eleventh Station - Jesus Nailed to the Cross

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they not know what they do." [Luke 23:33-34]

[Thou didst forgive Thy enemies; my God, teach me to forgive injuries and forget them.]

Twelfth Station - Jesus Dies on the Cross

Jesus cried out with a loud voice: "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit!"; and when He had said this He breathed His last. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, "This man was innocent beyond doubt." [Luke 23:46-47]

[Thou art dying, my Jesus, but Thy Sacred Heart still throbs with love for Thy sinful children.]

Thirteenth Station - Jesus Taken Down from the Cross

Look, O Lord, and see how worthless I have become! Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like my suffering, which has been dealt me... [Lamentations 11-12]

[Receive me into thy arms, O Sorrowful Mother; and obtain for me perfect contrition for my sins.]

Fourteenth Station - Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher

Now, in the place where He had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by. [John 19:41-42]

[When I receive Thee into my heart in Holy Communion, O Jesus, make it a fit abiding place for Thy adorable Body. Amen!]

Bibliography

Scriptural readings taken from The New American Bible, World BiblePublishers, Iowa Falls, Iowa. Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur granted onJuly 27, 1970. Vatican endorsement signed by H.H. PAUL VI on September18, 1970.

Some of the meditations from The PIETA Prayer Booklet, December 1989 Issue.

Images, Layout and Programming by Greg Webb, Baltimore, Maryland