You are on page 1of 22

The Way of the Cross

The Way of the Cross


For Roman Catholics throughout the world, the
Stations of the Cross are synonymous with Lent, Holy
Week and, especially, Good Friday. This devotion is
also known as the "Way of the Cross", the "Via Crucis",
and the "Via Dolorosa." It commemorates 14 key
events on day of Christ's crucifixion. The majority
concern His final walk through the streets of
Jerusalem, carrying the Cross.
The Stations originated in medieval Europe when wars
prevented Christian pilgrims from visiting the Holy
Land. European artists created works depicting scenes
of Christ's journey to Calvary. The faithful installed
these sculptures or paintings at intervals along a
procession route, inside the parish church or outdoors.
Performing the devotion meant walking the entire
route, stopping to pray at each "station."
Today, images of the Stations (or simple crosses
representing them) are on display in almost all
Catholic churches. They serve mainly as a focus for
Lenten worship services. But the Stations can also be
performed privately, at any time of the year, even at
home. Many organizations offer free or inexpensive,
illustrated pamphlets for this purpose.

The Way of the Cross

PREPARATION BEFORE THE JOURNEY


Entrance
Hymn
Chorus

HEAR, O LORD

All rise

: Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;


Hear, O Lord, and have mercy.
My soul is longing for the glory of You.
O hear, O Lord, and answer me.

1) Why do I no longer feel


Like Ive a place to stay?
O take me where someone will care,
So fear will go away.
2) In you, O Lord, I place my cares
And all my troubles too.
O grant, dear Lord, that someday soon
Ill live in peace with you.

PRAYER BEFORE THE ALTAR All kneel


Lead
er

O Lord Jesus, you once did say: If any man


would come after me, let him deny himself,
take up his cross and follow me. I now want
to accompany you on this Way of the Cross,
so that I may unite myself with you in
accepting Gods will in all my trials and
difficulties, to bear them patiently for the
expiation of my sins.

StandSing

At the Cross her station keeping,


Stood the mournful Mother weeping
Close to Jesus to the last.

The Way of the Cross

FIRST STATION
Jesus is condemned to death
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er

[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

Our Lord Jesus gave us an example in


redeeming the human race by going through
his passion and death in order to obtain his
glorious resurrection. Jesus was innocent, yet
he was condemned to die. He knew it to be
Gods will, and therefore he accepted it
willingly.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, for saving me, you accepted


willingly an unjust sentence.
I am often
suspicious, rash and critical in my opinion,
and so hurt others. I am sorry for my sins,
and I resolve to follow your example. Do not
allow me to judge other unjustly again.

Lead
er

Lord Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Through he heart His sorrow sharing,


All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had passed.

[Rise]

The Way of the Cross

SECOND STATION
Jesus carries His Cross
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

The soldiers, after scourging Jesus, crowned


Him with thorns, stripped him of the purple
robes, and putting his own cloak on Him, they
led Him out to carry His Cross.
[pause for a moment]

All

[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, You bore Your sufferings and


carried the Cross for my sake, and yet, I often
complain and despair in my sufferings. You
said: If any man would come after Me, let
him take up his Cross and follow Me. Grant
me the grace to be patient and to accept my
daily difficulties.

Lead
er

Lord Jesus, Redeemer of the world!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Oh, how sad and sore distressed,


Was that Mother highly blessed,
Of the sole-begotten One.

[Rise]

The Way of the Cross

THIRD STATION
Jesus falls the first time
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

When Jesus came out from the court carrying


the heavy cross, he was so exhausted by the
sufferings and pain inflicted by the soldiers,
that he fell down for the first time.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, you willingly accepted your


wounds and sufferings to save me. I am
really sorry when I think of it. I now resolve
to change my life and not to fall into sin
again.

Lead
er

Lord Jesus, full of kindness and love!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Christ above in torments hangs;


She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.

[Rise]

The Way of the Cross

FOURTH STATION
Jesus meets His mother
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er

[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

Our Lady was standing at the road-side,


waiting for her Son to pass by. As Jesus came
near, their eyes met. Imagine the feelings of
the Mother and Son at that moment! It was a
painful meeting as though a sword had
pierced through their hearts.
[pause for a moment]

All

[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, to save me, you made your


Immaculate Mother suffer too. You wanted
her to be more like you in sufferings, by
submitting herself to Gods will.
I now
resolve to imitate her, to follow you in
happiness as well as in sufferings and
sadness.

Lead
er

Lord Jesus, most worthy of all praise!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

The Way of the Cross

All
[Rise]

Is there one who would not weep,


Whelmd in miseries so deep
Christs dear Mother to behold?

FIFTH STATION
Simon helps Jesus to carry the Cross
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

The soldiers, seeing Jesus so badly weakened


and unable to carry the Cross to the place of
crucifixion, forced Simon of Cyrene to carry
the Cross behind Jesus.
[pause for a moment]

All

[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, would that I were in Simons


place helping you to carry the Cross; but you
did say: To help your neighbour is to help
me, to symphatise with others is sympathise
with me, to Love others is to love me. From
now on I resolve to love all with my whole
heart.

Lead
er

Lord Jesus, King and centre of all hearts!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

The Way of the Cross

All
[Rise]

Can the human heart refrain


From partaking in her pain,
In that Mothers pain untold?

SIXTH STATION
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er

[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

The holy woman Veronica saw the face of


Jesus covered with wounds, sweat and blood.
She hastened forward to wipe it with a cloth.
At once the impression of his holy face was
miraculously imprinted on the cloth as a
reward for her loving concern.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

Lead
er

My Lord Jesus, the charity of Veronica so


pleased you that you rewarded her by
miraculously imprinting your holy face on the
cloth. I now resolve to please you by always
showing sympathy towards those who are
less fortunate.
Lord Jesus, patient and abounding in mercy!

The Way of the Cross

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Bruisd, derided, cursd, defild


She beheld her tender Child:
All with bloody scourges rent.

[Rise]

SEVENTH STATION
Jesus falls the second time
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

While Jesus was climbing up Calvary,


because of the uneven road and the
weakness of his tortured body, he fell a
second time under the weight of the Cross.
[pause for a moment]

All

[Kneel]

Lead
er

My Lord Jesus, to save me you allowed


yourself to fall under the weight of the Cross.
From now on I will make every effort to
imitate you in carrying my own cross in all
my difficulties and sorrows. I want to follow
you because you are the Light, the Way and
the Life.
Lord Jesus, source of life and holiness!

The Way of the Cross

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

For the sins of His own nation,


Saw him hang in desolation,
Till his spirit forth he sent.

[Rise]

EIGHTH STATION
The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er

[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

As Jesus was passing through the town, many


holy women symphatised with him. They
were crying and beating their breasts. Jesus
turning to them said: Daughters of
Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for
yourselves and for your children.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

Lead
er

My Lord Jesus, I repent of all my sins because


they are the cause of your suffering and
death. Help me and all my loving ones to
observe your commandment and never to
displease you anymore.
Lord Jesus, made obedient even unto death!

10

The Way of the Cross

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

O thou Mother! fount of love!


Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord.

[Rise]

NINTH STATION
Jesus falls the third time
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

When Jesus was nearing the top of the hill, he


was completely exhausted, the wounds
aching all over his body so that he could
hardly walk. Thus our Saviour fell to the
ground the third time.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

Lead

My Lord Jesus, because of my sins you


willingly bore such torments and pain in your
fainting and failing down. To show you my
gratitude for you love, I now resolve to do
more penance, make more sacrifices, and to
practise virtue.
Lord Jesus, source of all consolation!

11

The Way of the Cross

er
All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Make me feel as thou hast felt;


Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ our Lord.

[Rise]

TENTH STATION
Jesus is stripped of His garments
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er

[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

When Jesus arrived at the place of


Crucifixion, the soldiers loosened the bonds
that bound His arms to the Cross. They tore
off His garments and they cast lots to divide
them among themselves. They then drove
the nails into His hands and feet.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, I realise how great must be


your sufferings and shame when the soldiers
took off your garments.
Help me to
understand the vanity of all that I have,
never to be covetous, to the ruins of my life.

12

The Way of the Cross

Lead
er

Lord Jesus, our life and our resurrection!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Holy Mother! Pierce me through,


In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

[Rise]

ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

The soldiers drove the huge nails through the


hands and feet of Jesus into the wood of the
cross. Then they stood by indifferently, while
others looked on mockingly at Jesus suffering
and bleeding on the Cross.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, you suffered such cruel


torment and pain as those horrible nails
pierced through your flesh and bones. I
grieve and repent of all my sins. I resolve not
to sin again. I want to love you always and to

13

The Way of the Cross

do what is pleasing to you.


Lead
er

Lord Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Let me share with thee His pain,


Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

[Rise]

TWELFTH STATION
Jesus dies on the Cross
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er

[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

Jesus cried out with a loud voice: Father!


Into Your hands I commend my spirit!
Having said this, he breathed his last. The
curtain in the temple was torn in two from
top to the bottom; the earth shook and the
rocks were split.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, by your death you have


completed the redemption of the world,
gained infinite merits for all men past,

14

The Way of the Cross

present and future, to enter into heaven. You


have conquered evil and you will reign
forever. I thank you, I adore you, Lord Jesus,
my Saviour.
Lead
er

Lord Jesus, salvation of all who trust in you!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Let me mingle tears with thee


Mourning Him who mournd for me.
All the days that I may live.

[Rise]

THIRTEENTH STATION
Jesus is taken down from the Cross
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

The disciples of Jesus, after getting


permission from Pilate, took down the body
of Jesus embalmed it, and bound it in linen
cloth as was the burial customs of the Jews.
[pause for a moment]

All
[Kneel]

My Lord Jesus, you once did say: There is no


greater love than to sacrifice ones Life for a
friend. You have sacrificed your life for my

15

The Way of the Cross

redemption. If I do not love you, I shall be


very ungrateful man. O Jesus, I want to love
you always by being more charitable towards
my fellow men.
Lead
er

Lord Jesus, hope of all who die in You!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

By the Cross with thee to stay,


There with thee to weep an pray,
Is all I ask of thee to give.

[Rise]

FOURTEENTH STATION
Jesus is laid in the sepulchre
Lead
er

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

All

Because by Your holy


redeemed the world.

[Kneel]

Lead
er
[Rise]

Cross,

You

have

There came a rich man from Aritmathea,


named Joseph, who took the body of Jesus,
wrapped it in linen cloth, and laid it in his
own new tomb. Then he rolled a great stone
to the opening of the tomb and departed.
[pause for a moment]

All

My buried Jesus, you have conquered death,

16

The Way of the Cross

[Kneel]

for on the third day you rose from the dead.


This proves that you are the Master of Life
and Death of heaven and earth, over which
you possess the full controlling power. I will
firmly believe in your teaching until the end
of my days.

Lead
er

Lord Jesus, delight of all the saints!

All

Jesus, have mercy on us.

All

Virgin of all virgins blest


Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine.

[Rise]

CONCLUDING THE JOURNEY


Say once the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the
intentions of Our Holy Father the Pope.
Should the priest be the presider of the service, he would bless the
congregation with the Crucifix, and then all go forward to kiss the
Crucifix as in the same order with the receiving of the Holy
Eucharist.
Meanwhile the Congregation sings some of the following hymns:

Other Hymn
1

GOD OF MERCY AND


COMPASSION

1) God of mercy and compassion,

17

The Way of the Cross

Look with pity upon me!


Father! Let me call the Father,
Tis thy child returns to thee.
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.

2) By my sins I have deserved,


Death and endless misery,
Hell with all its pains and torments,
And for all eternity.
3) By my sins I have abandoned,
Right and claim to heaven above,
Where the saints rejoice for ever,
In a boundless sea of love.

Other Hymn
2

NEARER, MY GOD

1) Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee;


Een though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer my God, to Thee.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
2) Deep in Thy Sacred Heart, let me abide.
Thou that hast bled for me, sorrowed and died.
Sweet shall my weeping be, grief surely leading me,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
3) Friends may depart from me, night may come
down:

18

The Way of the Cross

Clouds of adversity darken and frown;


Still through my tears Ill see, hope gently leading
me.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
Other Hymn
3
Chorus

O CROSS, REIGN VICTORIOUS

: O Cross, reign victorious!


O Cross! Thou wilt redeem us.

1) For all who yearn to see,


Give light, let darkness cease.
True source of liberty,
O Cross, Gods seal of peace!
2) Renew our strength and valour,
Uplift the downcast man.
Prize hope in lifes dark hour,
To deathless Life the span.

3) Through Thee our heavnly Father,


Take us to his embrace.
Let man greet man as brother,
In Him who saved our race.
Other Hymn
4

YES, I SHALL ARISE

Antiphon: Yes, I shall arise and return to my


Father.

19

The Way of the Cross

1) To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;


In you, O my God, I place all my trust.
2) Look down on me, have mercy O Lord;
Forgive me my sins, behold all my grief.
3) My heart and soul shall yearn for your face;
Be gracious to me and answer my plea.
4) Do not withhold your goodness from me;
O Lord, may your love be deep in my soul.
Other Hymn
5

OUT OF THE DEPTHS I CRY TO


YOU

Antiphon: I place all my trust in you, my God


All my hope is in your mercy.
1) Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleading.

2) If you, O Lord, should mark your guilt,


Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness:
for this we revere you.
3) My soul is waiting for the Lord,
I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord
more than watchman count for daybreak.

20

The Way of the Cross

4) Because with the Lord there is mercy


and fullness of redemption;
Israel indeed he will redeem
from all its iniquity.
Other Hymn
6

HAVE MERCY ON ME

Antiphon: Have mercy, Lord, cleanse me from all


my sins.
1) Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offences.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
And cleanse me from my sins.
2) My offences truly I know them,
My sin is always before me,
Against You, you alone have I sinned;
What is evil in your sight I have done.
3) That you may be justified when you give sentence
And be without reproach when you judge,
O see, in guilt I was born,
A sinner was I conceived.
4) Indeed you love truth in the Heart;
Then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
5) Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
That the bones you have crushed may thrill.
From my sins turn away your face
And blot out all my guilt.

21

The Way of the Cross

Other Hymn
7

O KING MOST MIGHTY

1) O King most mighty.


All mankinds Redeemer,
See our eyes lifted
Unto Thee in weeping;
O Christ attend us,
Heed our supplication.
Chorus

: O Lord incline thine ear


And show thy mercy,
For we have sinned against Thee.

2) All our transgressions


Freely now confessing
Our hearts we open
Een the hidden places.
Loving Redeemer,
Grant to us thy pardon.

22

You might also like