The Stations of The Cross
At the Cross her station
keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother
weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
I Jesus Is Condemned to Death.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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LUKE 23:13 And
Pilate, calling together the chief priests, and the magistrates, and the
people, 14 Said to them: �You have presented unto me
this man, as one that perverteth the people; and behold I, having examined him
before you, find no case in this man, for those things wherein you accuse him. 15 No, nor Herod neither. For
I sent you to him, and behold, he has done nothing worthy of death. 16 I will chastise him therefore, and release him. 18 But the whole multitude together cried out, saying: Away
with this man, and release unto us Barabbas, 19 Who, for sedition and for a murder, was cast into prison. 20 And Pilate again spoke to them again, desiring to release Jesus. 21 But they cried out again, saying: �Crucify him, crucify him. 22 And he said to them the third time: �Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore, and let him go. 23 But they were insistant with loud voices, requiring that he might be
crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
ACTS 3:13 The God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son
Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when
he judged he should be released. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just,
and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.
Through her heart, his sor-row shar-ing,
All his bit-ter an-guish bear-ing,
Now at length the sword has passed.
II
Jesus Carries His Cross.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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LUKE 23:25 And he released unto them [19 Barabbas] him who for murder and sedition, had been
cast into prison, whom they had desired; but Jesus he delivered up to their
will.
JOHN 19:16 Then therefore he
delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him forth. 17 And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called
Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.
Oh, how sad and sore
distressed,
Was that of mother highly
blessed,
Of the sole begotten One!
III
Jesus Falls the First Time
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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O Lord, under the weight of the wood, you stumble and fall. Under the
weight of my sin you suffer much more. As I stumble in my sin, help me
arise and to your work in my life, as you arose on that Jerusalem street and
moved foreword to my salvation; Your sacrificial death on the cross.
PSALM 42:11 Whilst my bones are broken, my enemies who trouble me have reproached
me; Whilst they say to me day be day: Where is thy God?
[preceding Douay-Rhiems Version Psalm 41]
ZECHARIAH 13:6 And they shall say to him: What are these wounds in the midst of thy
hands? And he shall say: With these I was wounded in the house of them that
loved me. 7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and
against the man that cleaveth to me, saith the Lord of hosts: strike the
shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered, and I will turn my hand to the
little ones. 8. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he
suffered; 9. and when perfected, he became the source of eternal
salvation for all who obey him, 10. designated by God as high priest
according to the order of Melchizedek.
Is there one who would not
weep,
O'welmed in miseries so
deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?
IV
Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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REVELATIONS 12:1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the
moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to
be delivered.
3 And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold
a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his head seven
diadems,
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the
dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered; that, when she
should give birth, he might devour her son.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an
iron rod: and her son was taken up to God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared
by God, that there they should feed her a thousand two hundred sixty days.
~ ~ 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast down unto the earth, he
persecuted the woman, who brought forth the man child:
14 And there were given to the woman, two wings of a great eagle, that
she might fly unto her place in the desert, where she is nourished for a time
and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
LUKE 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: "Behold this child
is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a
sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul, a sword shall pierce;
that out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them
in her heart. Ver. 34. For the
fall &c. Christ came for the salvation of all men; but here Simeon
prophesies what would come to pass, that many
through their own willful blindness and obstinacy would not believe in Christ,
nor receive his doctrine, which therefore would be ruin to them: but to others a resurrection
by their believing in him, and obeying his commandments.
Let me share with you His
pain,
Who for all our sins was
slain,
Who for me in torments died.
V
Simon the cyrenian helps Jesus
carry his cross.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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LUKE
23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming
from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.
Wounded with His every
wound,
Steep my soul till it has
swooned,
In His very blood away.
VI
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.
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PSALM
69:21 In thy sight are all they that afflict me; my heart hath expected
reproach and misery. And I looked for one that would grieve together with me,
but there was none: and for one that would comfort me, and I found none. 22 And they gave me gall for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. PSALM 22:12 depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me. 15 I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.
16 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved
to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death. 17 For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath
besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet. 18 They
have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me. 19 They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. NOTE:
is Veronica alone in her compassion? I pray that my sinfulness will be
washed clean and compassion for your children will overcome me.
[preceding Douay-Rhiems Version Psalm 21]
For the sins of His own
nation,
Saw Him hang in
desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.
VII
Jesus Falls The Second Time.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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WISDOM
2:12 Let us therefore lie in wait for the just, because he is not for our turn,
and he is contrary to our doings, and accuses us with transgressions of the law,
and convicts us of the sins of our way of life. 13 He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the
son of God. 14 He is become a
censurer of our thoughts. 15 He is grievous unto us, even to behold: for his life
is not like other men's, and his ways are very different. 16 We are esteemed by him as triflers,
and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness, and he preferreth the destiny of the just, and
glorieth that he hath God for his father. 17 Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end shall be. 18
For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and will deliver him from
the hands of his enemies. 19 Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may know his meekness and
try his patience. 20 Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: for
there shall be respect had unto him by his words.
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She
beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges
rent.
VIII
Jesus Speaks to the Women of
Jerusalem.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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LUKE
23:27 And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who
bewailed and lamented him. 28
But Jesus turning to them, said: �Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: �Blessed are
the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the babes that have not given
suck.� 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us; and to the hills: Cover us.�
REVELATIONS
6:16 And they say to the mountains and the rocks: " Fall upon us, and hide
us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne and from the wrath of the
Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath is come, and
who shall be able to withstand it?
Can the human heart
refrain,
From partaking in her pain,
In that mother's pain unto'd?
IX
Jesus Falls The Third Time.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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ISAIAH 50:6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who
plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.
ISAIAH 53:7 Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his
mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was
silent and opened not his mouth. 8 Oppressed and condemned, he was taken
away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut
off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, 9
A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers,
Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. 10 [But the Lord was
pleased to crush him in infirmity.] If he gives his life as an offering
for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord
shall be accomplished through him.
PSALM
22:2 O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
4 But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel. 7 But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. 8 All they that
saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the
head. 9 He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him. {etc.
through verse 32}
Let me mingle tears with
you,
Mourning Him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.
X
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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MATTHEW
27: 28 And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him. 29 And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying:
Hail, king of the Jews! 30 And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head.
JOHN
19:23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments,
(and they made four parts, to every soldier a part,) and also his coat. Now the
coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said then one to another: Let us not cut it,
but let us cast lots for it, for whose it shall be; that the scripture might be
fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots . And the soldiers indeed did these things.
By the Cross with you to
stay,
There with you to weep and
pray,
Is all I ask of you to give.
XI
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.
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LUKE
23:33 And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified
him there; and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 And Jesus said:
�Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do.�
But they, dividing his garments, cast lots.
EXODUS
12:21 And Moses called all the ancients of the children of Israel, and said to
them: Go take a lamb by your families, and sacrifice the [lamb] Phase.
22 And dip a bunch of hyssop in the blood that is at the door, and
sprinkle the transom of the door therewith, and both the door cheeks: let none
of you go out of the door of his house till morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through [Pass-Over]
striking the Egyptians: and when he shall see the blood on the transom, and on
both the posts, he will pass over the door of the house, and not suffer
the destroyer to come into your houses and to hurt you.
24 Thou shalt keep this thing as a law for thee and thy
children for ever.
{etc.
through verse 30}
Christ above in torment
hangs.
She beneath beholds the
pangs,
Of her dying, glorious Son.
XII
Jesus Dies On The Cross.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless
thee;
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
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JOHN
19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's
sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.
26 When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing
whom he loved, he saith to his mother: �Woman, behold thy son.�
27 After that, he saith to the disciple: �Behold thy mother.�
And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.
28 Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were
now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said:
�I thirst.�
29 Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar.
And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar on the hyssop, put it to his
mouth. 30 Jesus therefore,
when he had taken the vinegar, said:
�It is consummated (finished)."
And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.
PSALM
31:5 Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me: for
thou art my protector. 6 Into thy hands I commend my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of
truth. [preceding Douay-Rhiems Version Psalm 30]
Virgin of all virgins
blest!
Listen to my fond
request.
Let me share your grief divine.
XIII
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.
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JOHN
19:32
The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and
of the other that was crucified with him.
33 But after when they came to Jesus, when they saw that he was already
dead, they did not break his legs.
34 But one of the soldiers opened his side with a spear, and
immediately there came out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it, hath given testimony, and his testimony is true.
And he knoweth that he saith truth; that you also may believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him.
37 And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.
38 And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea
(because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews)
besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus.
And Pilate gave leave. Joseph came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
DEUTERONOMY 21:22
When a man hath committed a crime for which he is to be punished with
death, and being condemned to die is hanged on a gibbet:
23 His body shall not
remain upon the tree, but shall be buried the same day: for he is accursed of
God that hangeth on a tree: and thou shalt not defile thy land, which the Lord
thy God shall give thee in possession.
Holy Mother, pierce me
through,
In my heart each wound
renew,
Of my Savior crucified.
XIV
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.
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JOHN
19:39 And Nicodemus also came, (he who at the first came to Jesus by night,)
bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight.
40 They took therefore the body of Jesus, and bound it
in linen cloths, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews for burrial. 41 Now there was in the place where he was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man yet had
been laid. 42 There, therefore, because of the preparation for the Sabbath of the Jews, they laid
Jesus, because the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
ZECHARIAH
12:10 And I will pour out upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace, and of prayers: and they shall look upon me,
whom they have pierced: and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for an only
son, and they shall grieve over him, as the manner is to grieve for the death of
the firstborn.
O sweet Mother! fount of
love,
Touch my spirit from
above.
Make my heart with yours accord.
Christ, when You shall call me
hence,
Be Your Mother my
defense,
Be Your Cross my victory. AMEN !
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Since the early days of Christianity, sites associated with the passion of Our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, have been considered holy places. It was a great moment to be able to walk these
places in rememberance of His Passion and Death. Reproductions of these holy places began
to appear in churches and monasteries in Europe so those who could not walk physically in the steps
of Jesus, could in spirit partake in these events. St. Francis of Assisi is said to have organized the
stations as we have them today. Visit a Church near you and remember the Passion of Our Lord
as you walk from station to station and pause briefly at each for a moment of reflection.
This site is constructed as a brief refrence to aid you in this endeavor. |
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