Introduction

Since 1342 when the friars took over custody of the Holy Places in Jerusalem, the Stations, or Way of the Cross, have been closely associated with the Franciscans.

In the eighteenth century, St. Leonard of Port Maurice did much to propagate the devotion, and in 1731 the mode of practicing this devotion became stabilized under the authority of Pope Clement XII.

Invitation to Prayer

Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
you willingly embraced the wood of the cross
as an act of total surrender in love
and the reconciliation of the entire universe.
Today, as we retrace your steps,
send us your spirit so that our hearts may be warmed
and our lives renewed.
May the example and invitation of your love
inspire us to forsake selfishness
and embrace wholeheartedly the way of love.
O Lord Jesus, Lamb of God,
— Glory to you for ever!

The First Station

Pilate Condemns Jesus to Death

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

It was Preparation Day for Passover, and the hour was
about noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “Look at your king!”
At this they shouted, “Away with him! Crucify him!” “What!”
Pilate exclaimed. “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief
priests replied, “We have no king but Caesar.” In the end,
Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. (Jn 19:14-16)

Prayer

Lord Jesus
we are not one with you
whenever we choose that which separates us
from you and your Gospel.
Help us restore order into our lives.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Second Station

Jesus Takes Up His Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

When they had finished mocking him, they stripped him of the purple, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. (Mk 15:20)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you invite us to take up our cross daily.
Save us from being Christians only in church.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Third Station

Jesus Falls the First Time

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: —because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

He advanced a little and fell to the ground, praying that this hour might pass him by if it were possible. He kept saying, “Abba (O Father), you have the power to do all things. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you would have it, not as I.” (Mk 14:35-36)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you sought the Father and his Kingdom alone. Our lives are often fractured by our selfishness with little regard for our spiritual needs, and the needs of others. Grant us the gift of generosity.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Fourth Station

Jesus Meets His Mother

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed — and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.” (Lk 2:34-35)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, in this hour of darkness your mother’s heart was broken 
yet she stood by you. May her prayers and example give us the courage to be faithful in time of distress and difficulty.

Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Fifth Station

Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

As they led him away, they laid hold of Simon of Cyrene
who was coming in from the fields. They put a crossbeam on Simon’s shoulder for him to
carry along behind Jesus. (Lk 23:26)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You told us that “as long as you did it for
one of the least of my followers, you did it for me.”
Grant us the vision to see you in all of our brothers and sisters regardless of their language, age, color, or creed.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Sixth Station

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth. There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. (Is 53:2)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we have been made and remade in your image and likeness: we are the light of the world. Grant us the courage to reflect your image before all. Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Seventh Station

Jesus Falls the Second Time

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

Be on guard and pray that you may not be put to the test. The spirit is willing, but nature is weak. (Mk 14:37-38)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we pamper ourselves so often that we neglect the life of the spirit. Teach us the value of self-denial, sacrifice and prayer.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Eighth Station

Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

A great crowd of people followed him, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. Jesus turned to them and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23:7-28, 31)

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
we often face moments of disappointment and discouragement,
help us to overcome the sorrows and separations we face,
through the gift of your redeeming love.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Ninth Station

Jesus Falls the Third Time

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

Jesus said: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (Jn 12:23-24)

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
it feels at times our sinfulness is so heavy that we lack the energy to make a fresh beginning,
raise us up again!
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Tenth Station

Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes

We adore you, O Christ, and We bless you: — because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Scripture:

When they brought Jesus to the side of Golgotha (which means ‘Skull Place’), they tried to give him wine drugged with myrrh, but he would not take it. Then they crucified him and divided up his garments by rolling dice for them
to see what each should take. (Mk 15:22-24)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, We find it difficult to love with gentleness, to give our shirt when someone takes our coat, to walk the extra mile, clothe us with your humility and meekness.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Eleventh Station

Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: —because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

When they came to Skull Place, as it was called, they crucified him there and the criminals as well, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:33-34)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you forgave those who nailed You to the wood of the cross. Give us the largeness of heart to forgive those who hurt us.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Twelfth Station

Jesus Dies on the Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: —because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

It was now around midday, and the darkness came over the whole land until midafternoon with an eclipse of the sun. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two. Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” After he said this, he died. (Lk 23;44-46)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you laid down your life so that there may be one shepherd and one fold. Help us to work for unity.
Be with those who will die this day.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Thirteenth Station

Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: —because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalen. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, there is your son.” In turn he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” (Jn 19:25-27)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, on the wood of the cross you showed us bonds of love
and gave us Mary as mother. May her example and faithfulness inspire our love for all the people of God.
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

The Fourteenth Station

Jesus ls Placed in the Tomb

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: —because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Scripture:

They took the body of Jesus, and in accordance with Jewish burial custom bound it up in wrappings of cloth with perfumed oils. In the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. Because of the Jewish Preparation Day they buried Jesus there, for the tomb was close at hand. (Jn 19:40-42)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, in our baptism we were buried with you so that we might be raised to life. Victorious Lamb of God, grant us new life!
Lord Jesus crucified,
—Have mercy on us.

Closing Prayer

We worship you, Lord, we venerate your cross, we praise your resurrection.
—Through the cross you brought joy to the world.
May God be gracious and bless us; and let his face shed its light upon us. —We worship you, Lord, we venerate your cross, we praise your resurrection.
—Through the cross you brought joy to the world.

Let Us Pray:

God of mercies
send down your abundant blessing upon your people who have recalled the death of your Son in the sure hope of the resurrection. Grant us pardon, bring us comfort, may our faith grow stronger as we journey this life.
—Amen.

Adapted from: Franciscans at Prayer

Artwork: Yevgenia Frances Petrenko, OFS