The Stations of the Cross

Catholic Prayers: Stations of the Cross [from a Douay-Rheims Bible]

(almost inedited)

Catholic Prayers: Stations of the Cross

    The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, is normally prayed each Friday during Lent. In this prayer, fourteen traditional events in the passion of Jesus are recalled and meditated upon. Eachstation is visited as the prayers are made; icons or stations are traditionally hung along the perimeter ofthe inside walls of churches. The stations are:1. Jesus condemned to death2. Jesus carries his cross3. Our Lord falls the first time4. Jesus meets his mother5. Simon the Cyrenean helps Jesus carry his cross6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus7. The second fall of Jesus8. Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem9. The third fall of Jesus10. Jesus is stripped of his garments11. Jesus is nailed to the cross12. Jesus dies on the cross13. Jesus is taken down from the cross14. Jesus is laid in the tomb Antiphon

a

We beseech Thee, O Lord! to assist and direct our actions by Thy powerful grace, and all
our prayers and works may always begin and end with Thee. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Preparatory Act of Contrition
O Jesus, treasure of my soul, infinitely good, infinitely merciful, behold me prostrate at
Thy sacred feet! Sinner as I am, I fly to the arms of Thy mercy, and implore that grace
which melts and converts - the grace of true compunction. I have offended Thee,
adorable Jesus! I repent; let the favor of my love equal the baseness of my ingratitude.
This Way of the Cross, grant me to offer devoutly in memory of that painful journey
Thou hast travelled for our redemption, to the Cross of Calvary, with the holy design to
reform my morals, amend my life and gain these indulgences granted by Thy vicars on
earth. I apply one for my miserable soul, the rest in suffrage for the souls in purgatory,
particularly N.N. [Here mention the souls for whom you intend to apply them.] I begin
this devotion under Thy sacred protection, and in imitation of Thy dolorous Mother. Let
then this holy exercise obtain for me mercy in this life, and glory in the next. Amen.
JESUS!

Station 1: Christ is sentenced to death by Pilate
V. We adore Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, and bless Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
The Mystery
Our gracious Redeemer, after suffering blows and blasphemies before Annas and
Caiphas, after the cruel scourging, insulting contempts and bloody crown of piercing
thorns, is unjustly condemned to death. This iniquitous a sentence your Jesus accepted
with admirable humility. Innocence embraces condemnation to free the guilty.
Reflect that your sins were the false witnesses that condemned Him; your stubborn
impenitence the tyrant that extorted from Pilate the bloody sentence. Propose now
seriously an amendment of life, and while you reflect on the horrid injustice of Pilate,
who condemns innocence, lest he should not appear a friend of Caesar, arraign yourself
for your many sins of human respect; think how often you have offended God for fear of
displeasing the eye of the world, and turning your loving Jesus, addressed Him rather
with tears of the heart than with expressions of the tongue in the following
Prayer
O MANGLED VICTIM OF MY SINS! O suffering Jesus! I have deserved those bloody
scourges, that cruel sentence of death; and yet Thou didst die for me, that I should live
for Thee. I am convinced that if I desire to please men, I cannot by Thy servant. Let me
then displease the world and its vain admirers. I resign myself into Thy hands. Let love
take possession of my heart; let my eyes behold with contempt everything that can
alienate my affections from Thee; let my ears be ever attentive to Thy word; let me
through this painful journey accompany Thee, sighing and demanding mercy. Mercy!
Jesus! Amen.
Our Father & Hail Mary
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us!
You pious Christians who do now draw near,
With relenting hearts now lend a tear,
Your Lord behold with great humility,
Sentenced to die on Mount Calvary.