Way of the Cross

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At the beginning, kneeled in front of the Altar

O Crux ave, spes unica,
hoc Passionis tempore!
piis adauge gratiam,
reisque dele crimina.

Hail Cross, of hopes the most sublime!
Now, in the mournful Passion time; 
grant to the just increase of grace,
and every sinner’s crimes efface.

 Jesus Christ, my Lord, with what great love didst thou pass over the painful road which led thee to death; and I, how often have I abandoned thee! But now I love thee with my whole soul, and because I love thee I am sincerely sorry for having offended thee. My Jesus pardon me, and permit me to accompany thee in this journey. Thou art going to die for love of me, and it is my wish also, my dearest redeemer, to die for love of thee. My Jesus, in thy love I wish to live. In thy love I wish to die.

Between each Sation, a verse of the Stabat Mater may be sung:

STABAT Mater dolorosa
iuxta Crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.

AT, the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.

The First Station:
Jesus condemned to Death

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the Cross.

My loving Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins that condemned Thee to die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey towards eternity. 

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Cúius ánimam geméntem
Contristátam et doléntem
Pertransívit gládius.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.

The Second Station:
Jesus receives His Cross

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His shoulders, thought of us and offered for us to His Father the death that He was about to undergo.

My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations that Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. 

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

O quam tristis et afflícta
Fuit illa benedícta
Mater Unigéniti!

O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One.

The Third Station:
Jesus falls under the weight of the Cross the first time

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider this first fall of Jesus under His cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times.

My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the cross but of my sins which have made Thee suffer so much pain. Ah, by the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin.

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Quæ mærébat et dolebat,
Pia Mater, dum vidébat
Nati pœnas inclyti.

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

The Fourth Station:
Jesus meets His afflicted Mother

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.

My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who wast overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by thy intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of thy Son.

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Quis est hómo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si vidéret
In tanto supplício?

Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

The Fifth Station:
Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring and fearing that He would die on the way, when they wished Him to die the ingnominious death of the cross, constrained Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind Our Lord.

My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did: I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou hast destined for me with all the pains which may accompany it. I unite it to Thy death and I offer it to Thee. Thou hast died for love of me; I will die for love of Thee and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace.

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Quis non posset contristári,
Christi Matrem contemplári
Doléntem cum filio?

Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother’s pain untold?

The Sixth Station:
Veronica wipes the Face of Jesus

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel, with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.

My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas, my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since with my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Thy Passion,  and then do with me what Thou wilt. 

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Pro peccátis suæ gentis,
Vidit Jesum in torméntis,
Et flagéllis súbditum.

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
she beheld her tender Child
All with bloody scourges rent:

The Seventh Station:
Jesus falls a second time

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the second fall of Jesus under the cross, a fall which renews the pains of all the wounds of the head and members of our afflicted Lord.

My most gentle Jesus, how many times Thou hast pardoned me, and how many times I have fallen again and begun again to offend Thee! Oh, by the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere in Thy grace until death. Grant, that in all temptations which assail me, I may always commend myself to Thee.

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Vidit suum dulcem natum
Moriéndo desolátum,
Dum emísit spíritum.

For the sins of His own nation,
saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

The Eighth Station:
Jesus speaks to the daughters of Jerusalem

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that those women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in so pitiable a state, streaming with blood, as He walked along. But Jesus said to them, “Weep not for Me, but for your children.”

My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses that I have committed against Thee, because of the pains which they have deserved, and still more, because of the displeasure which they have caused Thee, Who hast loved loved me so much. It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. 

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Eia Mater, fons amóris,
Me sentíre vim dolóris
Fac, ut tecum lúgeam.

O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:

The Ninth Station:
Jesus falls the third time

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely strength to move.

Ah, my outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness that Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise Thy friendship. 

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Fac ut árdeat cor meum
In amándo Christum Deum,
Ut sibi compláceam.

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.

The Tenth Station:
Jesus is stripped of His Garments

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His torn flesh, and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them. Compassionate your Savior thus cruelly treated.

My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment which Thou hast felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee, Who art so worthy of my love. 

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifíxi fige plagas
Cordi meo válide.

Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Saviour crucified:

The Eleventh Station:
Jesus is nailed to the Cross

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that Jesus, after being thrown on the cross, extended His hands and offered to His eternal Father the sacrifice of His life for our salvation. These barbarians fastened Him with nails, and then, raising the cross, left Him to die in anguish on this infamous gibbet.

My Jesus, loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Thy feet, that it may ever remain there to love Thee and never more to leave Thee. 

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Tui nati vulneráti,
Tam dignáti pro me pati,
Pœnas mecum dívide.

Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.

The Twelfth Station:
Jesus dies upon the Cross

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus, after three hours’ agony on the cross, consumed at length with anguish, abandoned Himself to the weight of His body, bowed His head and died.

O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the cross on which Thou didst die for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death, but Thy death is my hope. Ah, by the merits of Thy death, give me grace to die, embracing Thy feet and burning with love for Thee. I commit my soul into Thy hands.

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifíxo condolére,
Donec ego víxero
.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live:

The Thirteenth Station:
Jesus is taken down from the cross

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that, Our Lord having expired, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Him down from the cross and placed Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with unutterable tenderness and pressed Him to her bosom.

O Mother of Sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for thy servant, and pray to Him for me. And Thou, my Redeemer, since Thou hast died for me, permit me to love Thee; for I wish but Thee, and nothing more.

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Juxta crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociáre
In planctu desídero.

By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.

The Fourteenth Station:
Jesus is placed in the tomb

V/. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi :
R/. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum.

V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by His holy Mother, who arranged it in the sepulcher with her own hands. They then closed the tomb, and all withdrew.

Ah, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses Thee. But Thou didst rise again on the third day. I beseech Thee, by Thy resurrection, make me rise glorious with Thee at the Last Day, to be always united with Thee in Heaven, to praise Thee and love Thee forever.

I love thee, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee. Never permit me to separate myself from thee again. Grant that I may love thee always, then do with me what thou wilt.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

V/. Miserére nostri, Dómine.
R/. Miserére nostri.
V/. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in Pace.
R/. Amen.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
V. Amen.

Virgo vírginum præclára
Mihi jam non sis amára;
Fac me tecum plángere.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine;

At the end, kneeled in front of the Altar

Fac ut portem Christi mortem,
Passiónis fac consórtem,
Et plagas recólere.

Fac me plagis vulnerári,
Fac me cruce inebriári,
Et cruóre Filii.

Flammis ne urar succénsus,
Per te, Virgo, sim defénsus
In die judícii.

Christe, cum sit hinc exíre,
Da per Matrem me veníre
Ad palmam victóriæ.

Quando corpus morietur,
Fac, ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria. Amen.

Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away;

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
by Thy Mother my defence,
by Thy Cross my victory;

While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Holy Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.

Prayers for the Sovereign Pontiff

O my Lord Jesus, I offer the following prayers as my petition for this month’s intentions of our Holy Faher the Pope: 
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

Closing Prayer to Jesus-Christ crucified

Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, with true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment; while with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate Thy five wounds, having before my eyes the words which David the prophet spoke of Thee, my Jesus: ‘They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones’.

God has loved us from all eternity. So He says ‘Remember I first loved you. You had not come to be, nor did the world yet exist, but I loved you already. From all eternity I have loved you’.