FIRST STATION JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. How alone you must feel…You devoted your entire life to helping others, where are they now…Help me to be grateful for what you did for me and never abandon you…when I am falsely accused help me to love my enemies and pray for those who hurt me.
SECOND STATION JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
Jesus you accepted your cross made up of my sins. It wasn’t easy but you carried it just the same. Sometimes I feel my cross is too big. I complain and look to others who I believe have lesser crosses. I feel sorry for myself. Oh My Jesus, help me to bear my cross patiently and generously for love of you.
THIRD STATION JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
Jesus, the cross you carry is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you. The heavy burden of my sins weigh Thee down beneath the cross. I detest them; I beg you to pardon them. May your grace help me never to commit them again.
FOURTH STATION JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
Oh My Jesus, it is with great sorrow that I see the pain you share with your Mother Mary. What gave you both the courage to carry on? As my Redeemer, it seems you and your Mother were teaching me how to suffer and give this suffering to the Father for the salvation of souls. Help me to offer up my suffering for others.
FIFTH STATION SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
Oh My Jesus, Simon of Cyrene was enlisted by the soldiers to help you carry your cross less you die before crucifixion. You, who hold up the whole universe, allowed a creature to help you. What an example of humility to allow others to attend to you. I don’t have to always be on the giving side; help me to accept offers of help from others. In so doing, I will be blessed and so will they.
SIXTH STATION VERONICA WIPES
THE FACE OF JESUS
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
My Jesus, where were all the hundreds of peoples whose bodies and souls were healed by you? Why only one woman? Veronica, setting aside fear and human respect offers you the comfort of her veil. My sweet Jesus, imprint your Divine Image upon my soul…that I may attend to the needs of others on your behalf despite the situation or circumstances.
SEVENTH STATION JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
On My Jesus, You fall a second time under the pain of the Cross.You rise from this fall. What looked like weakness is unparalleled strength. The world often looks down upon the poor as failures, the sick as useless and the aged as a burden. There is a vast difference between the way the world sees and the way God sees. Weak and powerful Jesus, give comfort of your presence to the aged, sick, and handicapped. Let the infirm glory in their weakness.
EIGHTH STATION JESUS SPEAKS
TO THE HOLY WOMEN
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
My Jesus, I am amazed at your compassion for others in your time of need. When I suffer, I have a tendency to think only of myself but when you saw the holy women weeping over your torments, you consoled them and taught them to look deeper into Your Passion. Help all those who are discouraged, sick, lonely and old to recognize Your Presence in their midst. No one suffers alone. Easter is coming!
NINTH STATION JESUS FALLS THIRD TIME
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
My Jesus, even with the help of Simon You fell a third time. Were you telling me that there may be times in my life that I will fall again and again despite the help of friends and loved ones? When I cry out from the depths of my soul, “This suffering is more than I can bear,” You whisper, to my innermost being, “Yes, I know, Keep going, I know how hard it is to rise”? Easter is coming, rejoice!
TENTH STATION JESUS IS STRIPPED
OF HIS GARMENTS
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
My sweet Jesus, it seems that every step to Calvary brought you fresh shame and humiliation. How your sensitive nature must have recoiled at being stripped before a crowd of people. Have mercy on us who would violate the virtue of chastity. Sins of the flesh run rampant. Grant us the courage of conversion of our ways.
ELEVENTH STATION JESUS IS NAILED
TO THE CROSS
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
It is hard to imagine God being nailed to a cross by His own creatures. It is even more difficult for my mind to understand a love that permitted such a thing to happen! As those men drove heavy nails into your hands and feet, dear Jesus, you were stretching out your arms to show us how much you love us? Teach me to keep my arms ever open to love, to forgive and to render service.
TWELFTH STATION JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
God is dead! No wonder the earth quaked, the sun hid, the dead rose and Mary stood by in horror. All creation rebelled as the Word made Flesh departed from this world. A common thief responded to your love with deep Faith, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Dear Jesus, help us to humbly reach out to you, especially when we need forgiveness of our sins.
THIRTEENTH STATION JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTION
My Jesus, it was with deep grief that Mother Mary finally took you into her arms. You are once more surrounded by only a few followers. The greatest act of love was given mostly in isolation with little notice. Give to all men the grace to see that doing your will is more important than success. Let me accept praise or blame, success or failure with equal serenity.
FOURTEENTH STATION JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
REFLECTIONS
My Jesus, You were laid to rest in a stranger’s tomb. You were born with nothing in a stable. Most of us live and die knowing and known by only a few. Will we ever learn the lesson of humility that makes us content with who we are, where we are and what we are? Dear Jesus, grant me the grace of acceptance and let me rejoice on Resurrection day with all the Angels in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for so great a love- so great a God!
CLOSING PRAYER
My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real. I feel so ashamed that I complain of my sufferings. Help me to see the Father’s will in every incident of my daily life.
Help me to trust the Father and to realize that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering.
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.