Stations of the Cross, Seventh Station

The Seventh Station

Jesus falls the second time

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

It was our weaknesses that he carried, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the punishment that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all. (Is. 53, 4 to 6)

Reflection: Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and uttered no cry. When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (Is. 53, 7 and 9)

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, You shared in our weaknesses and accepted our guilt. Grand us the favor of rejoicing over our human weaknesses, so that in all we do, Your strength, swelling in us, may be shown to all others. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Stations of the Cross, Sixth Station

The Sixth Station

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

"Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?" And answering the kind will say to them, "Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me." (Mt. 25, 37 to 40)

Reflection: A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; for he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. (Sirach 6, 14 to 17)

Let us pray: Almighty and ever-loving God, we feel your love and understanding in the consolation and support we receive from one another. Give us, we beg You, the courage and dedication to sacrifice and suffer with those who are in need, the least of your people. Amen.

Stations of the Cross, Fifth Station

Fifth Station

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

And when they had mocked Jesus, they took the purple cloak off and put his own clothes on him, and they led him out to be crucified. Then they forced a certain passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, to take up his cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, a name meaning 'the place of the skull'. (Mk. 15, 20 to 22)

Reflection: With a loud voice I cry out to the Lord; with a loud voice I beseech the Lord. My complaint I pour out before him; before him I lay bare my distress. When my spirit is faint within me, you know my path. In the way along which I walk they have hid a trap for me. I look to the right to see, but there is no one who pays me heed. I have lost all means of escape; there is no one who cares for my life. (Ps. 141, 2 to 5)

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to see in the sufferings and shortcomings of our lives a share in Your Cross; strengthen and console us in the belief that we bear all things in union with You, who have taken upon Yourself even our guilt. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Stations of the Cross, Fourth Station

Fourth Station

Jesus meets his afflicted mother

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19, 25 to 27)

Reflection: To what can I compare you, O daughter Jerusalem? What example can I show you for your comfort, virgin daughter Sion? For great as the sea is your distress; who can heal you? (Lam. 2, 13)

Let us pray: O blessed Lord, at your passion a sword of sorrow pierced the loving heart of your mother as Simeon had foretold. Grant that we who look back on her sorrows with compassion might receive the healing fruits of your sufferings. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Stations of the Cross, Third Station

Third Station

Jesus falls the first time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. Because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I have spoken to you: No servant is greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15, 18 to 20)

Reflection: Why are your clothes red, and your garments like those of the wine presser? "The wine press I have trodden alone, and of my people there was no one with me. I trod them in my anger, and trampled them down in my wrath; their blood spurted on my garments and I stained all my clothes. I looked about, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that there was no one to lend support; so my own arm brought about the victory." (Is. 63, 2 to 5)

Let us pray: O God, to free us from sin and weakness your Son, Jesus Christ, embraced his fearful passion and crucifixion. Strengthen us in our baptismal resolutions by which we renounced sin and Satan, so that through the passion of this life's sufferings we might rise to new life of joyful service free of all selfishness. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.