"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalm 46:10

Prayer of the month

The Stations of the Cross

Opening Prayer

Mary, my Mother, you were the first to live the Way of the Cross. You felt every pain and every humiliation. You were unafraid of the ridicule heaped upon you by the crowds. Your eyes were ever on Jesus and His Pain. Is that the secret of your miraculous strength? How did your loving heart bear such a burden and such a weight? As you watched Him stumble and fall, were you tortured by the memory of all the yesterdays - His birth, His hidden life and His ministry?

You were so desirous of everyone loving Him. What a heartache it was to see so many hate Him - hate with a diabolical fury. Take my hand as I make this Way of the Cross. Inspire me with those thoughts that will make me realise how much He loves me. Give me light to apply each station to my daily life and to remember my neighbour's needs in this Way of the Pain.

Obtain for me the grace to understand the mystery, the wisdom and the Divine love as I go from scene to scene. Grant that my heart, like yours, may be pierced through by the sight of His sorrow and the misery and that I may determine never to offend Him again. What a price He paid to cover my sins, to open the gates of Heaven for me and to fill my soul with His own Spirit. Sweet Mother, let us travel this way together and grant that the love in my poor heart may give you some slight consolation.

(Please click on the Station to open the prayers)

Closing Prayer

My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real and I feel so ashamed. I complain of my sufferings and find obedience to the Father’s Will difficult. My Mind bogged down by the poverty, sickness, starvation, greed and hatred in the world. There are many innocent people who suffer so unjustly. There are those born with physical and mental defects. Do we understand that You continue to carry Your cross in the minds and bodies of each human being? Help me to see the Father’s Will in every incident of my daily life. This is what You did – You saw the Father’s Will in Your persecutors, Your enemies and Your pain. You saw a beauty in the cross and embraced it as a desired treasure. My worldly mind is dulled by injustice and suffering and I lose sight of the glory that is to come. Help me to trust the Father and to realise that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering. There is someone lifting my cross to fit my shoulders – there is Divine Wisdom in all the petty annoyances that irk my soul every day. Teach me the lessons contained in my Cross, the wisdom of its necessity, the beauty of its variety and the fortitude that accompanies even the smallest cross. Mary, My Mother, obtain for me the grace to be Jesus to my neighbour and to see my neighbour in Jesus. Amen.

First Station: Jesus is condemned to death

×
“When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and a purple cloak, Pilate said to them: ‘Look at the man’.” (Jn 19:5).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: Jesus is brought from Caiaphas, the High Priest to Pontius Pilate, the Governor, on false charges and is condemned to death. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns. He is innocent and is unjustly sentenced. How often am I suspicious, rash and destructively critical of others, judging them without making any effort to understand?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, not to judge but to lobe and accept one another. And if I am unjustly judged, help me to accept it the way You did.

Merciful Jesus, help me to accept every human judgement and do not let me ever condemn You in my neighbour.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.

Second Station: Jesus carries His cross

×
“He emptied Himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men.” (Phil 2:7).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: A heavy cross is thrust into Jesus’ hands and he is ordered to carry it to the site of His execution. Jesus accepts the cross freely, carrying it by Himself and moves forward towards Golgotha to be crucified…for our salvation. How often have I complained and despaired in my sufferings, pain, hardships, struggles, disappointments?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, just as You embraced Your cross to save the world, help me to embrace mine in my daily life with the same obedience as You did. Give me the courage to reach out to others whenever possible.

Merciful Jesus, help me to carry each cross that comes my way with love so that I may accept each and every challenge willingly.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, Lo! The piercing sword had passed.

Third Station: Jesus falls the first time

×
“Here is my servant, My Chosen One, not dying out, not shouting, not making His voice heard in the street.” (Is 42:1-2)

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: The Cross is heavy and the road to Calvary is long and winding. Jesus, exhausted by the pain and suffering inflicted by the soldiers, falls to the ground for the first time, but struggles to His feet to continue His journey. How often have I given up at the slightest difficulty or challenge, saying Lord I can’t take it anymore?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, give me the courage and strength to pick myself up when I fall. Give me the generosity of lending a helping hand to others when they fall.

Merciful Jesus, help me to rise every time I fall, seek Your pardon and with renewed graces to carry on.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: O how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blessed, of the Sole-Begotten One.

Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother

×
“Come, all you pass by the way. Look and see there is any suffering like My suffering.” (Lam 1:12).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: Mary was standing by the roadside waiting for her son to pass by. As Jesus came near, their eyes met. It was more than the meeting of eyes, it was a union of two hearts in pain and sorrow, a silent comforting presence that need no words ‘Son, I am with You.’ How often have I disappointed my family, my friends, my neighbour, by not being there for them?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, to be aware that Mary, our Mother is close to us in all our suffering, our weakness and our desolation.

Merciful Jesus, help me to look with love and compassion on the suffering and the lonely around me and in the whole world.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath behold the pangs of her dying glorious Son.

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross

×
“A man called Simon of Cyrene was coming in from the fields and they pressed him into service to carry the cross.” (Mk 15:21).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: The soldiers seeing Jesus so badly weakened and faltering under the weight of the cross and afraid that He was unable to carry it to the place of crucifixion, forced Simon of Cyrene to help Him. Simon, not knowing who Jesus was, took the cross in shame but experienced a change within himself – freedom and joy…of helping a stranger. How often have I been indifferent or refused to help another? How often have I said, ‘it’s not my business?’…

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, to appreciate those who help me and to remember always that everyone I help is YOU.

Merciful Jesus, help me never to neglect the opportunity to help others, no matter how difficult it may be for me.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Who on Christ’s dear Mother gazing, in her trouble so amazing, born of woman, would not weep?

Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

×
“He was spurned and avoided by men, a Man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men hide their faces” (Is 53:3-4).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: The holy woman Veronica saw the wounded face of Jesus covered with sweat and blood. She hastened forward to wipe His face. She saw only the person in need and gave help without thinking of the possible consequences to herself in spite of the hostile crowd all around her. How often have I avoided doing good or helping others because I am afraid of what others will think or say of me?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, to be humble enough to accept help from others and to see YOU in the people I meet, so that I may help others readily.

Merciful Jesus, help me to recognise Your face in all suffering around me.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Who on Christ’s dear Mother thinking, such a cup of sorrow drinking, would not share her sorrow deep?

Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time

×
“It was our infirmities that He bore, our suffering that He endured, upon Him as the chastisement that makes us whole, by His stripes we are healed.” (Is 53-4-5).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: While Jesus was struggling up Calvary, His body overcome with the extreme weakness because of the torture by the soldiers, He fell a second time. He lay sprawled on the well-travelled path. The soldiers impatient to be over their task dragged Him to His feet again. How often have I said to my friends and loved ones who hurt me again and again, ‘You have hurt me many times, and this is the last, I am not forgiving you..?’

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, every time I fall remind me of Your love and forgiveness. Give me the wisdom to know that I rely too much on myself and too little on YOU.

Merciful Jesus, give me the grace to be patient with others and to forgive readily from the heart those who hurt me repeatedly.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: For His people’s sins rejected, saw her Jesus unprotected. Saw with thorns, with scourges rent.

Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

×
“A great crowd followed Him, including women who lamented over Him. Jesus turned and said, ‘Do not weep for Me. Weep for yourselves and for your children.’” (Lk 23:27-28).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: As Jesus dragged himself slowly through the town, the women who saw Him wept and cried. They were overcome with grief and sorrow at what they witnessed. Jesus inspite of His pain and suffering was still able to find the strength to console and encourage the poor women. How often have I focused on my own pain and misery and on others who are in worse circumstances than I?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way: of selfless and never ending love, so as to enable me to help the weak, to encourage the discouraged and to inspire the despaired.

Merciful Jesus, help me to be more life You so that I may be able to move beyond my personal suffering and reach out to others.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Saw her Son from judgment taken, her Beloved in death forsaken, till His Spirit forth He sent.

Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time

×
“Like sheep we had all gone astray, each following his own way; but God had laid upon Him all our guilt.” (Is 53:6-7).

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: Jesus who was overcome by extreme pain and exhaustion fell under the weight of His cross. The soldiers kicked Him again and again. Jesus who was extremely weak and could move no more, got up and carried on to the place of His crucifixion in order to complete the Father’s will. How often have I said, ‘I cannot take it anymore’, how often have I said, ‘I cannot go on anymore’, how often have I said, ‘I give up’?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, just like You, to be able to surrender to the Father’s will with faith and trust.

Merciful Jesus, help me to persevere in the mission which You have entrusted to me and give me the grace to get up again and again from each fall (sin) so that I may come back to You.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Fount of love and holy sorrow, Mother, may my spirit borrow somewhat of your woe profound.

Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of His garments

×
“They divided my garments among them and for my vesture they cast lots.” (Ps 22:19)

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: Wounded and bleeding Jesus finally each Calvary. The soldiers in their haste and greed, tore the blood-soaked seamless garment woven by His Mother. They cast lots for His clothes while Jesus, naked, looked on helplessly in total surrender. Naked Jesus came from the womb of His Mother, and naked He returned to god, His Father. Naked as He always was in the sight of God, He became naked also in the sight of the people, stripped of His clothes, of His dignity, of His reputation, of His hope. How often do I hide my true suffering and misery because I am ashamed of afraid that others may mock me? How often do I put on this garment of pretense?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, to accept myself as I am, I know that You love me in my strengths and in my weaknesses.

Merciful Jesus, help me not to be a slave to material possessions but to remember that You are my only worthwhile possession. In possessing You I have all things.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Unto Christ with pure emotion, raise my contrite heart’s devotion, to read love in every wound.

Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross

×
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in Him.” (Jsh 3:14-15)

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: The soldiers made Jesus lay down onto His cross. They spread his hand and wrist and placed it on the wood and drove a nail through it. They fixed the other hand in the same manner. They then raised His knees so that His feet were flat against the wood and brutally drive the nail through His feet. As they lowered the foot of the cross into its foothold, Jesus cried in pain, for the sudden jerk violently shook His body hanging on the nail. What excruciating pain! How often have I complained that God has abandoned me in my suffering? How often have I blamed God for my suffering?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, to realise that it is through the presence of God in my life that I am able to endure all sufferings, miseries and desolation.

Merciful Jesus, help me to realise that the secret of perfect joy lies in complete giving and loving. In offering myself to You, may I experience perfect joy in Your saving work.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Those five wounds on Jesus smitten, Mother! In my heart be written, deep as in your own they be.

Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross

×
“Jesus cried out in a loud voice and then gave up His spirit.” (Mt 27:50)

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: Jesus hung on the cross for three hours, blood and sweat running down in streams. Inspite of the excruciating pain and suffering He had to endure, He forgave those who crucified Him. He cried out, “Father forgive them, they know not what they are doing”. How often have I forgotten how much You suffered and died on the cross for me? How often have I forgotten how much You love me?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, that in forgiving all who have offended me, I will be a witness to Your merciful love.

Merciful Jesus, everyday increase in me, trust in Your mercy, so that I may always and everywhere give witness to Your infinite goodness and love.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: You, your Saviour’s cross did bear, you, your Son’s rebuke did share. Let me share them both with you.

Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross

×
“They shall look on Him whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for an only Son.” (Zech 12:10)

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: With a broken heart, Mary His Mother, stood by her son to the last. Slowly they brought His body down from the cross and laid Him down in her lap. Mary cradled Him at birth, she now cradled Him but in His death. Surely Mary and those with her must have touched the depths of despair. Never was sorrow deeper than Mary’s. How often am I able to share in the grief of those who mourn for their departed loved one? How often do I fail to show I care?

All: Lord Jesus, teach me to be more like Mother Mary, to grow more in understanding of You and Your mission and to discover Your presence in our hearts.

Merciful Jesus, help me bring the message of Your deliverance to all around me so that I may pluck out the roots of fear and sow the seeds of courage in them.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: In the Passion of my Maker, be my sinful soul partaker, weep ‘til death and weep with you.

Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

×
“Then having brought a linen shroud, Joseph of Arimathea took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of rock.” (Mk 15:46)

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Leader: Since the next day was the Sabbath Day and it was not customary for the Jews to bury the dead on that day, Jesus had to be buried immediately. There were no spices to anoint His bruised body nor did He have a tomb of His own. But generous hearts came forward. Joseph of Arimathea offered a new tomb to bury Jesus, Nicodemus brought spices and anointment for the burial. The small funeral procession climbed down the hill of Golgotha. The atmosphere was laden with sorrow even as nature stood still. Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb and a great stone was rolled to the door of the tomb. The bereaved departed with tear-filled eyes and heavy heart. There in the tomb they buried not only His shattered body but also their dreams, their hopes and joys. On the third day (Easter Sunday morning) when Jesus rose, their dreams were realised, their hope fulfilled and their joy restored.

All: Lord Jesus, teach me Your way, that no matter how difficult things may seem, faith, hope and love always triumph.

Merciful Jesus, with every heartbeat, I thank You for everything You have done for me, for Your life given in sacrifice and for Your infinite mercy and love.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Sing: Mine with You be that sad station, there to watch the great salvation, wrought upon the Atoning Tree.

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