The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
The Stations of the Cross are commonly found in churches as a series of 14 small icons or images. They can also appear in church yards arranged along paths. The stations are most commonly prayed during Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays, and especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred.
Opening Prayer
Table of contents
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good. I will die rather than offend thee again.
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The sign of the cross is a form of Catholic blessing whereby a person traces a symbolic cross on their body, or in the air in commemoration of the crucifixion of Christ. The sign of the cross is used in several Christian traditions, but it is most prominent in Catholic and Orthodox tradition.
The sign of the cross represents the victory of Jesus Christ over death. It is also used as an improvised prayer to ward off evil or to bless oneself in a time of prayer or need.
In its most common Roman Catholic form, the sign of the cross is made by touching one’s forehead with a finger or a few, then the chest, then the front of the left shoulder, and finally the front of the right shoulder.
The formal and proper form of the sign of the cross includes the use of three fingers, especially when entering the church. The sign is a reminder of one’s baptism. Using Holy Water, found in fonts at the entrance, further connects the sign to Baptism. In contemporary Church design, the Baptismal font is in the front to further signify the connection.
There are more elaborate forms, but people are generally free to perform the sign as they please so long as the gesture is respectful and offered in the full sincerity of the faith. It is inappropriate to offer the sign of the cross in irreverent or insincere fashion. Also, the sign of the cross made in the air with the hand, as a blessing for the faithful, is reserved for the use of ordained clergy, Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
More elaborate forms involve the use of three fingers, or making a small cross with the thumb and forefinger. When a cross is made with the thumb and forefinger, the person sometimes ends the sign by kissing their improvised cross. Some people prefer to touch the chest a second time, after their front right shoulder. This second touch represents the fifth wound of Christ.
In the Roman Catholic Liturgy, also called the Holy Mass, when the gospel reading is announced by the Priest or Deacon, Catholics use their thumb and forefinger to make a cross, then trace a tiny cross – first on their forehead, then their lips, and finally over their heart. This is a prayer, asking God to indelibly imprint the message of the Gospel in the mind, on the lips, and in the heart. In other words, inviting the Lord to sanctify their thoughts, their speech and their way of life through His Holy Word.
The sign of the cross can be made in any position, but is commonly paired with the act of genuflection (kneeling on one knee as a sign of respect). The sign of the cross is also made during prayer, often on two knees, but it can also be performed standing up, or even lying down, as in the case of a person who is ill.
Prayers are usually started and finished with the sign of the cross as well as the Catholic Mass and other Liturgical services such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament or Litanies. The sign of the cross often the first thing a Catholic Christian does upon waking, and the last thing done before bed.
On Ash Wednesday, the ashes are applied to the forehead by a priest, deacon or extraordinary minister in the shape of a cross, to mark the penitents expressed choice to spend the forty days of Lent in prayer, repentance and fasting.
The sign of the cross can also be done with holy water. As mentioned above, it is often made by Catholics whenever they enter a church building and again upon exiting. Fonts of holy water are placed next to entrances for this purpose. Some people place small fonts at the doorway of their home for the same purpose.
Since Catholics use the sign of the cross so commonly, the gesture itself is considered synonymous with the Catholic Christian faith. It is frequently used in movies to show that a character is a devout Catholic. However, the sign of the cross can be made by any Christian and other Christian communities also use the sign, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians.
Eastern Christians, both those who are members of the Orthodox Churches and Byzantine or Eastern Catholics in union with Rome, all make the sign of the Cross. However, they begin with the right shoulder rather than the left, as is the practice of Latin Rite or Western Catholics.
Catholic writer Bert Ghezzi says the sign of the cross has six meanings. “The sign of the cross is: a confession of faith; a renewal of baptism; a mark of discipleship; an acceptance of suffering; a defense against the devil; and a victory over self-indulgence.”
The sign of the cross is a serious and powerful prayer ? and a holy symbol. It is a shield and a sword. It dedicates what you do in the name of Jesus Christ. It brings God’s blessing. It’s not a good luck charm, but it is a sign that says you are willing to accept the suffering of the Cross. So, when you make it, you are affirming your faith in Jesus Christ and your willingness to suffer for Him. It is a prayer in and of itself. Many of the Christian faithful begin every morning, the moment they awaken, by making that sign which says it all, even without the need for words.
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In the name of the Father
And OF the Son
And OF the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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More Prayers of the Cross Prayers
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The Stations of the Cross are usually observed during Lent, especially on Lenten Fridays and most importantly on Good Friday. It is one of the most popular devotions for Roman Catholics. The devotion consists of meditating on 14 events which form the 14 stations of the cross. The purpose of this devotion is to focus on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Here is the long version of “Stations of the Cross” or “Way of the Cross” with meditations and prayers.
Preparatory Prayers
O Jesus, our adorable Saviour, we now contemplate Your sacred passion. Help us to understand that the sufferings of our life are the continuation of Your passion. We ask for strength of our souls to go through our passion, in the spirit with which You went through Yours. Amen.
Station 1 – Jesus is condemned to death
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
Leaving the house of Caiaphas, where he had been blasphemed, and the house of Herod, where he had been been mocked, Jesus is dragged before Pilate, his back torn with scourges, his head crowned with thorns; and he, who on the last day will judge the living and the dead, is himself condemned to a disgraceful death.
Prayer
It was for us that You did suffer, O Blessed Jesus. It was for our sins that You were condemned to die. Oh, grant that we may detest our sins from the bottom of our hearts, and obtain your mercy and pardon by repentance.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 2 – Jesus is laden with the Cross
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
A heavy cross is laid upon the bruised shoulders of Jesus. He receives it with meekness and with a sense of commitment, for it is the instrument with which he is to redeem the world and to accomplish the mission for which his heavenly Father has sent him.
Prayer
O Jesus, grant us, by virtue of your cross, to embrace with meekness and cheerful submission the difficulties of our life, and to be ever ready to take up our cross and follow You.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 3 – Jesus falls for the first time
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
Bowed down under the weight of the cross, Jesus slowly sets forth on the way to Calvary, amidst the mockeries and insults of the crowd. His agony in the garden has exhausted his body. He is lacerated with blows and wounds; his strength fails Him. He falls to the ground under his cross.
Prayer
O Jesus, who for our sins did bear the heavy burden of the cross and did fall under its weight, may the thoughts of your suffering make us watchful over ourselves and save us from any grievous fall into sin.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 4 – Jesus meets his Blessed Mother
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
Still burdened with his cross, and wounded yet more by his fall, Jesus proceeds on His way. He is met by his loving mother. What a meeting must have that been! What a sword of anguish must have pierced the mother’s heart! What must have been the compassion of that Son for his holy mother!
Prayer
O Jesus, by the compassion which You did feel for You Mother, have compassion on us, and give us a share in her intercession. O Mary, most afflicted mother, intercede for us that, through the sufferings of your Son, we may be delivered from eternal death.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 5 – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
As the strength of Jesus fails, and he is unable to proceed, the executioners seize and compel Simon of Cyrene to carry His cross. The grace of that cross changes the Cyrenean’s heart and from the compulsory task, it becomes a privilege and joy.
Prayer
O Lord Jesus, may it be our privilege to bear our cross. May we glory in nothing else; by the cross, may the world be crucified unto us, and we unto the world. May we never shrink from suffering but rather rejoice if we should be counted worthy to suffer for your name’s sake.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 6 – Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
As Jesus proceeds along the way covered with the sweat of blood, a woman, moved with compassion, makes her way through the crowd, and wipes his face with a handkerchief. As a reward for her piety, the impression of His sacred countenance is miraculously imprinted upon the handkerchief.
Prayer
O Jesus, may the contemplation of your sufferings move us with deep compassion. Make us hate our sins and kindle in our hearts, more fervent love for You. May your image be graven on our minds until we are transformed into Your likeness.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 7 – Jesus falls beneath His cross, the second time
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
The pain of his wounds; and the loss of blood increasing at every step of his way, weakens him; and Jesus falls to the ground for the second time.
Prayer
O Jesus, who did fall a second time beneath the load of our sins and of your suffering for our sins, how often have we grieved you by our repeated falls into sin! Oh, may we rather die than ever offend You!
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 8 – Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
At the sight of the sufferings of Jesus, some holy women in the crowd were so touched with sympathy that they openly bewailed and lamented for Him. Jesus, knowing the things that would befall Jerusalem because of its rejection of him, turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep for yourselves and for your children”.
Prayer
O Jesus, we mourn and will always mourn for you and for ourselves, for your sufferings and for our sins which caused them. Oh, teach us to mourn, so that we may repent and be saved from the dreadful end to those who reject or neglect you, their God and their all.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 9 – Jesus falls beneath His cross the third time
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus has almost arrived at the summit of Calvary, but before he reaches the spot where he is to be crucified, his strength again fails Him, and he falls the third time.
Prayer
O Jesus, we entreat you by the merit of this your third and most painful fall, to pardon our frequent relapses and our long continuance in sin. May the thought of Your sufferings make us hate our sins more and more.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 10 – Jesus is stripped of His garments
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus at last arrives at Golgotha and they prepare to crucify Him. They strip Him of His garments and mock Him.
Prayer
O Jesus, strip us of all false esteem, conceit and pride and make us humble like you in this life, so that we share your glory with you in the life to come.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 11 – Jesus is nailed to the cross
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
The cross is laid upon the ground and Jesus is stretched upon His bed of death. With divine dignity and forgiveness, he lets himself be nailed to the cross. The blows are struck! The blood gushes forth!
Prayer
O Jesus, nailed to the cross, fasten our hearts to the cross, so that we may be united with you until we yield up our souls to you.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 12 – Jesus dies on the cross
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
For three hours, Jesus has hung upon His pierced hands. His blood has run in streams down his body, and onto the ground. In the midst of excruciating suffering, he has pardoned his murderers, given heaven to the good thief, and committed his blessed mother to his beloved disciple’s care. His mission of love has been accomplished. He bows his head and gives up his Spirit to God.
Prayer
O Jesus, we devoutly embrace your saving cross, on which you died so that we may have eternal life. We hail your cross, and lovingly accept our own.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 13 – Jesus is taken down from the cross
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
The multitudes have left the hill of Calvary. There is no one except the beloved disciple of Jesus and the holy women with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take down the body of Jesus from the cross and place him in the arms of his afflicted mother.
Prayer
O Mary, mother of Jesus, your grief was so great, being a helpless witness to the savage way your Son was put to death. By his death and resurrection, we have become your children in Jesus. Help us by your intercession to be like your son Jesus.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Station 14 – Jesus is laid in the Holy Sepulchre
Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
The disciples take the body of her dear beloved Son Jesus from his mother, and place it in the tomb. The tomb is closed and in it the lifeless body remains until the hour of its glorious resurrection.
Prayer
Lord, Your suffering is over. You have triumphed, though in the eyes of men, you may seem to have failed. Sin, death and hell have been conquered. The world is Yours, I am Yours. Be the King of my heart. I surrender myself to your Holy Will. May Your kingdom come.
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All: Have mercy on us.
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father, we have contemplated your Son, Jesus, on his Way of the Cross, in his Spirit which you have gifted to us. We accept our way of the cross. We know it will lead us to, where it led him to, our resurrection with him. We thank You for the joy of this vision of faith.
For the intention of the Holy Father,
- Our Father in Heaven
- Hail Mary
- Glory Be
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