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During this season of Lent, I invite you to spend some time meditating on Jesus’ road to Calvary, and on the ways we can better carry our own crosses in life.
The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Jesus stood before Pilate, an innocent man, yet he was condemned to death.
Dear Lord, help me not to be so quick to judge others. Help me, try to understand them and why they act as they do. Help me to see other people as you see them.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Second Station: Jesus Carries his Cross.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Jesus, already tired and broken, picked up the heavy cross to begin the journey to Calvary.
Dear Lord, help me, even when I am exhausted and worn out, to fulfill my daily duties. Please help me, to accept the crosses that come my way and to bear them with a willing spirit.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Third Station: Jesus Falls the first time.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Jesus falls down under the weight of the cross, yet somehow, he finds the strength to get up and try again.
Many times, I feel overwhelmed and ready to collapse, under the weight of life.
Dear Lord, help me to keep going even when I feel I can’t take another step.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Fourth Station: Jesus meets his Mother.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Even in his darkest hour, Jesus’ Mother Mary was there.
Dear Lord, please help me to be with others in their pain. Help me to offer comfort and consolation and to be a source of strength for others as they travel through life.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Fifth Station: Simon helps Jesus to carry his cross.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Simon wasn’t looking to help. He was just one of the crowd, but he was pressed into service.
There are many times I don’t want to help. It’s easy to turn away and think someone else will do the work. Dear Lord, help me to help wherever I am needed. Don’t let me turn my back on anyone in need.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Sixth Station: .Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Veronica reached out to Jesus, offering an act of kindness at a time when he needed it most.
Who do I know who is hurting? Dear Lord, help me to be the person who comes in to offer kindness when the whole world has gone out.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Again, Jesus falls and again, he gets up.
Sometimes life can be so discouraging. It feels like the whole world is against me. I want to give up, to fall down and surrender the fight. Dear Lord, please help me to have the courage to continue. Help me to face another day.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
The Eight Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Even in the midst of his pain, Jesus stops to comfort the women, who were weeping, by the side of the road.
It is so easy when I am in pain, for me to just think about myself. Dear Lord, even when I am hurting, help me to remember, that others are hurting also. Help me not to be self-centered and to continue to reach out to those who need me.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
The end of the journey is near, and Jesus falls again. He struggles to get up, and continue one last time.
Dear Lord, help me to continue when the way is hard, and I have lost all hope. Please guide my faltering steps.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of his Garment.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
In the end, Jesus had nothing, not even his clothes.
Dear Lord, please help me to share my material goods with others, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Also let me help those, who are emotionally naked, and who have been left exposed to the world. Help me, to never revel in another person’s shame, but to reach out a helping hand, or offer a word on their behalf.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
With each nail, the pain grew greater, each blow a vivid reminder of our sins.
Dear Lord, thank you for your love for me. Thank you for dying, to forgive my sins. Help me to do your will.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Jesus suffered immeasurable torment on the cross, both physical and emotional. He cried out to his father in heaven, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” Yet he also found the strength to forgive his persecutors.
Dear Lord, at times when I feel abandoned, help me to remember that you understand and are always at my side.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Jesus, was taken down from the cross, and his lifeless body was laid in his mother’s arms. The pain, Mary must have felt as she held her son. She was the mother, of a convicted criminal. Truly, a “sword had pierced her heart.”
Dear Lord, help me to remember the mothers, who have lost children to violence and criminal activity. Help me, to pray for them, as they suffer so much pain.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
And then there was darkness. The tomb was a place of transition for Jesus – a stopping place between death and new life.
Dear Lord, please help me, as I go through my own times in the tomb. Times when I feel lost and scared, fearful of change. Help me to see your light, guiding me safely to new life.
Have Mercy on us O Lord, Have Mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.