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Begin with an Act of Contrition
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Next say “Dear Jesus, I make the intention of gaining all the indulgences I can by praying the Stations of the Cross.”
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St. Alphonsus Liguori’s introductory prayer - “ 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 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.”
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee;
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
(Genuflect on the word “Because” and remain on one knee; arise after “redeemed the world.”)
First Station
Jesus is condemned to death
It was for our sins, O Jesus, that You were condemned to suffer. Grant that we may detest our sins and, by this repentance, obtain Your mercy and pardon.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Fourteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the Tomb
O Jesus, someday our bodies will also be placed in a tomb. Freed from the bonds of this earth, may we then be received into the Heaven by You and Your holy Mother, so that we may praise and love You for all eternity. Amen.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Thirteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the arms of His Holy Mother
We grieve with you, O Mary, for the sorrow you experienced as you examined the wounds on the body of your dear Son. By these sacred wounds may we obtain pardon and mercy for our sins.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Twelfth Station
Jesus dies on the Cross
O Jesus, we devoutly embrace the holy Cross whereon You loved us even unto death. We thank You for Your sacrifice, and we desire to love You as much as You loved us.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Eleventh Station
Jesus is nailed to the Cross
As You were nailed to the Cross, O Jesus, fasten our hearts there also, that they may be united to You until death.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Tenth Station
Jesus is Stripped of His garments
O Jesus, by the pain You suffered in having Your clothing torn from Your bleeding body, please strip us of all conceit and pride, and instruct us in the ways of humility, purity of intention and simplicity of heart.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Ninth Station
Jesus falls the third time
O Lord Jesus, we entreat You by the merits of this third most painful fall, to pardon our frequent relapses and our long continuance in sin. May the thought of Your sufferings grieve us and move us to make frequent acts of love and reparation.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Eighth Station
Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem
O Jesus, just as You instructed the women of Jerusalem, please instruct us in the ways of virtue and help us to escape the dreadful judgments prepared for all who reject or neglect You in this life.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Seventh Station
Jesus falls a second time
O Jesus, our repeated falls in to sin have added to the burden which You carried for our redemption. As You are weakened by the weight of our sins, we are the cause of this second fall. Please give us the strength never to offend You again.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Sixth Station
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
O Jesus, may the contemplation of Your Holy Face enkindle in our hearts a more fervent love for You, and may Your image be graven on our minds and souls until we are transformed into Your likeness.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross
O Jesus, just as Simon relieved You of Your burdern, inspire us also to console You by our prayers of reparation and love.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Fourth Station
Jesus meets His sorrowful Mother
O Jesus, by the compassion which you felt for Your Mother, have compassion on us and give us a share in her intercession. Our most afflicted Mother, intercede for us, that through the sufferings of Your Son, we may bear with courage the sorrows of this life.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Third Station
Jesus falls the first time
O Jesus, it was for our sins that You bore the heavy burden of the Cross and fell under its weight. May the thought of Your sufferings make us watchful over ourelves and save us from falling into sin.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
Second Station
Jesus is burdened with the Cross
O Jesus, grant us, by virtue of Your Cross, that we may accept the difficulties of our state with meekness and cheerful submission. May we always be ready to take up our cross and follow You.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; (Kneel)
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Rise)
