PREPARATION – Jesus is betrayed
In the Name + of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
THE READING : (St. Mark 14:26, 32, 45; St. Luke 22:41-42; St. John
They went out into the Mount of Olives . And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane . And Jesus was withdrawn from the disciples about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done... As soon as Judas was come, he goeth straightway to Jesus, and saith, Master, Master: and kissed him. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away.
Let us pray. Assist us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given unto us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come, thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven:
R. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus:
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy upon us.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Sing my tongue the glorious battle
Sing the winning of the fray:
Now above the cross, the trophy,
Sound the high triumphal lay:
Tell how Christ, the world's Redeemer,
As a Victim won the day.
The First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING
The high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am... And then all condemned him to be guilty of death.
V. Oh my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy, but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified; Mercifully grant that we, walking the Way of the Cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom
None in fruit thy peer may be:
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
The Second Station - Jesus Receives the Cross
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. John 19:14, 17)
Pilate saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth...
V. Because I brought thee forth from the land of Egypt
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. O God, who by the passion of thy blessed Son didst make an instrument of shameful death to be unto us the means of life: Grant us to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Sing my tongue the glorious battle
Sing the winning of the fray:
Now above the cross, the trophy,
Sound the high triumphal lay:
Tell how Christ, the world's Redeemer,
As a Victim won the day.
The Third Station - Jesus Falls the First Time
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. John
Jesus said to his disciples: If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hated you. Remember the word that I said unto you: The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
V. Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good: thou hast prepared a cross for thy Savior.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. Almighty God, who hast given thy Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
God in pity saw man fallen,
Shamed and sunk in misery,
When he fell on death by tasting
Fruit of the forbidden tree:
That another Tree was chosen
Which the world from death would free.
The Fourth Station - Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. John
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
V. What more could I have done unto thee that I have not done? I indeed did plant thee, O my vineyard, with exceeding fair fruit: and thou art become very bitter unto me.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. O God, the King of Saints, we praise and magnify thy holy Name for all thy servants who have finished their course in thy faith and fear; for the Blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all thy other righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we beseech thee that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom
None in fruit thy peer may be:
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
The Fifth Station - The Cross is Laid Upon Simon of Cyrene
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. Mark 15:16, 20-22)
The soldiers...led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon, a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto a place Golgotha , which is, being interpreted, The place of the skull.
V. I did scourge Egypt
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption; Give us courage, we beseech thee, to take up our cross and follow him, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Thus the scheme of our salvation
Was of old in order laid,
That the manifold deceiver's
Art by Art might be outweighed;
And the lure the foe put forward
Into means of healing made.
The Sixth Station - Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING
Jesus said unto his disciples, All these are the beginning of sorrows, Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my Name's sake. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven... and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
V. I led thee forth out of Egypt , drowning Pharoah in the Read Sea
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered; Make us, we beseech thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let thy Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days: that, when we shall have served thee in our generation, we may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience; in the communion of the Catholic Church; in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope; in favor with thee our God, and in perfect charity with the world; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Therefore when th' appointed fullness
Of the holy time was come,
He was sent, who maketh all things,
Thus he came to earth, incarnate,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
The Seventh Station - Jesus Falls the Second Time
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING
He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
V. I did open the sea before thee: and thou hast opened my side with a spear.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst take away the sting of death: Grant unto us thy servants so to follow in faith where thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, and awake up after thy likeness; for thy tender mercies' sake (who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom
None in fruit thy peer may be:
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
The Eighth Station - Jesus Greets the Holy Women
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING
There followed him a great company of people, and of women which bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus, turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
V. I did go before thee in the pillar of cloud, and thou hast led me unto the judgment hall of Pilate.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Thirty years he dwelt among us,
His appointed time fulfilled;
Born for this he met his passion,
This the Savior freely willed:
On the cross the Lamb was lifted,
Where his Precious Blood was spilled.
The Ninth Station - Jesus Falls a Third Time
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING
We are sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus, by a new and living way... that is to say, his Flesh; and having an high priest over the House of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.
V. I did feed thee with manna in the desert, and thou hast stricken me with blows and scourges.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of thy precious death and passion; Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruits of thy redemption (who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
He endured the nails, the spitting,
Vinegar, and spear, and reed;
From that holy Body broken
Blood and water forth proceed:
Earth and stars and sky and ocean
By that flood from stain are freed.
The Tenth Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Raiment
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING
They gave Jesus vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
V. I did give thee to drink the water of life from the rock: and thou hast given me to drink but gall and vinegar.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. O Lord God, whose blessed Son our Saviour gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame; Grant us grace to take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom
None in fruit thy peer may be:
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
The Eleventh Station - Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. Luke 23:33-34; St. John
When they were come to the place, which is called Calvary , there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do... And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
V. I did smite the kings of the Canaanites for thy sake, and thou hast smitten my head with a reed.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the Cross, that he might draw the whole world unto himself; Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory!
Thy relaxing sinews bend;
For a while the ancient rigor
That thy birth bestowed, suspend;
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend!
The Twelfth Station - Jesus Dies on the Cross
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. Matthew 27:45-46; St. John
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (kneel)
V. I did give thee a royal scepter, and thou hast given unto my head a crown of thorns.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross (who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord. (rise)
Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's Ransom to uphold,
For a shipwrecked race preparing
Harbor, like the Ark
With the Sacred Blood anointed
From the smitten Lamb that rolled.
The Thirteenth Station - Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. John
When the soldiers came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. After this Joseph of Arimathaea, being 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 him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
V. I did raise thee on high with great powers, and thou hast hanged me on the gibbet of the cross.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who of they tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom
None in fruit thy peer may be:
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
The Fourteenth Station - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: (genuflect)
R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE READING : (St. John
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre wherein never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus.
V. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
R. Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray thee to set thy passion, cross , and death between thy judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living, pardon and rest to the dead, to thy holy Church peace and concord, and to us sinners everlasting life and glory (who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us:
R. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet:
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete:
God the Three in One, whose praises
All created things repeat. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray. O God, who for our redemption didst give thine only-begotten Son to the death of the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the power of our enemy; Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.