"Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps." - 1 Peter

The Stations of the Cross bring to us scenes from the final hours of the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ. As we view them we should consider how, by our selfishness, we have placed other things or persons ahead of his sufferings and the opportunity he earned for us to reach heaven.

By our acts of charity and sufferings we join with Christ in his saving mission.

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV

I Station

Jesus is condemned to death.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how Pilate condemned the innocent Jesus to death, and how my Redeemer submitted to this sentence, to free me from the sentence of everlasting death.

II Station

Jesus is made to carry His cross.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus took the cross upon His shoulders, which my many sins made so heavy.

III Station

Jesus falls the first time.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus, overcome by weariness and pain, fell to the ground under the weight of the cross.

IV Station

Jesus meets His blessed Mother.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider the anguish which filled the hearts of Jesus and Mary at this sorrowful meeting. It is my sin which caused the Son and the Mother this pain.

V Station

The cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how His enemies, seeing that he was no longer able to drag his cross, compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry it after him.

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VI Station

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how this woman tried to lessen the sufferings of Jesus, and how he rewarded her by leaving the print of His sacred face on the towel she had in her hands.

VII Station

Jesus falls the second time.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider the sufferings Jesus endures in this second fall. I have been the cause of them, by my frequent relapses into sin.

VIII Station

Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus exhorts these women to weep, not for Him, but for themselves; to teach me to weep more for my sins than for His sufferings.

IX Station

Jesus falls a third time.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus falls the third time, enduring excruciating pain, to atone for my obstinancy in continually committing new sins.

X Station

Jesus is stripped and receives gall to drink.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider the shame Jesus endured in being stripped of his garments, and the bitterness of the wine mixed with myrrh and gall, which they caused Him to drink. In this He atoned for my immodesty and my intemperance in eating and drinking.

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XI Station

Jesus is nailed to the cross

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider the dreadful suffering Jesus endured, when His enemies stretched His bleeding body and fastened it to the cross with nails through His sacred hands and feet.

XII Station

Jesus dies on the cross.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how Jesus, after three hours of agony, dies on the cross for my salvation.

XIII Station

Jesus is taken down from the cross.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider the grief of the Mother of God when she received in her arms the body of her divine son, all pale, covered with blood, and void of life.

XIV Station

Jesus is laid in the tomb.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Consider how the most sacred body of Jesus was laid, with the greatest reverence, in the new grave prepared for it.

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