SIGN OF THE CROSS AND FORMATION OF INTENTIONS
Make the Sign of the Cross and say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
(Form the intention of gaining indulgences for oneself or for others in Purgatory)
ACT OF CONTRITION
My Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast made this journey to die for me with love unutterable, and I have so many times unworthily abandoned Thee; but now I love Thee with my whole heart, and because I love Thee I repent sincerely for having ever offended Thee. Pardon me, my God, and permit me to accompany Thee on this journey. Thou goest to die for love of me; I wish also, my beloved Redeemer, to die for love of Thee. My Jesus, I will live and die always united to Thee.
FIRST STATION
Jesus is Condemned to Death
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, that Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross. My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins, that condemned you to die. I beseech you, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity.
I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Stabat Mater dolorosa – At the cross her station keeping
Juxta crucem lacrymosa – Stood the mournful Mother weeping
Dum pendebat Filius – Close to Jesus to the last
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
SECOND STATION
Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, that Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us, to His Father, the death that He was about to undergo. My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations that you have destined for me until death. I beseech you, by the merits of the pain you suffered in carrying your cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love, I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Gory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Cujus animan gementem – Through her heart, His sorrow
sharing
Contristatam, et dolentem – All His bitter anguish bearing
Pertransivit gladius – Now at length the sword had passed
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
THIRD STATION
Jesus Falls for the First Time
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, this first fall of Jesus under His cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey.
My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the cross, but of my sins, which has made you suffer so much pain. Ah, by the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin.
I love Thee, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
O quam tristis et afflicta – Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Fuit illa benedicta – Was that Mother highly blessed
Mater Unigeniti – Of the sole-begotten One!
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
FOURTH STATION
Jesus Meets His Mother
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.
My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow your experienced in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for your most holy Mother. And you, my Queen, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by your intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of your Son.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Quae moerebat, et dolebat – Christ above in torment hangs
Pia Mater, dum videbat – She beneath beholds the pangs
Nati poenas inclyti – Of her dying, glorious Son
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
FIFTH STATION
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the Jews seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross behind Our Lord.
My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that you destined for me with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to your death, I offer it to you. You have died for love of me, I will die for love of you, and to please you. Help me by your grace.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Quis est homo qui non flerent – Is there one who would not
weep
Matrem Christi si videret – Whelmed in miseries so deep
In tanto supplicio? – Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
SIXTH STATION
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.
My most beloved Jesus, your face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received your grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins. You alone, my Redeemer, can restore it to its former beauty. Do this by your passion, O Jesus.
I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Quis non posset contristari – Can the human heart refrain
Christi Matrem contemplari – From partaking in her pain
Dolentem cum Filio? – In that Mother’s pain untold?
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
SEVENTH STATION
Jesus Falls a Second Time
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider the second fall of Jesus under the cross—a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of the head and members of our afflicted Lord.
My most gentle Jesus, how many times your have pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offend you! Oh, by the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere in your grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assail me I may always commend myself to you.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Pro peccatis Suae gentis – Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled
Vidit Jesum in tormentis – She beheld her tender Child
Et flagellis subditum – All with bloody scourges rent
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
EIGHTH STATION
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that those women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in so pitiable a state, streaming with blood, as He walked along. But Jesus said to them, “Weep not for Me but for your children.”
My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses that I have committed against you, because of the pains which they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure which they have caused you, who has loved me so much. It is your love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins.
My Jesus, I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Vidit suum dulcem Natum – For the sins of His own nation
Moriendo desolatum – Saw Him hang in desolation
Dum emisit spiritum – Till His spirit forth He sent
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
NINTH STATION
Jesus Falls the Third Time
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely strength to move. Ah, my outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness you did suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise your friendship.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Eia Mater, fons amoris – Ah Mother, fountain of love
Me sentire vim doloris – make me feel the force of the sorrow
Fac, ut tecum lugeam – so that I may mourn with you
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
TENTH STATION
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His torn flesh and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them. Compassionate your Savior thus cruelly treated, say to Him:
My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment which you felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in you, who are so worthy of my love.
I love Thee, O Jesus, with my whole heart: I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Fac ut ardeat cor meum – Make me feel as thou hast felt
In amando Christum Deum – Make my soul to glow and melt
Ut sibi complaceam – With the love of Christ, my Lord
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that Jesus, after being thrown on the cross, extended His hands, and offered to His eternal Father the sacrifice of His life for our salvation. These barbarians fastened Him with nails; and then, raising the cross, left Him to die with anguish on this infamous gibbet.
My Jesus, loaded with contempt, nail my heart to your feet, that it may ever remain there to love you, and never quit you again.
I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Saviour crucified
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
TWELFTH STATION
Jesus Dies on the Cross
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider how Jesus, after three hours of agony on the cross, consumed at length with anguish, abandons Himself to the weight of His body, bows His head, and dies.
O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the cross on which you died for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death, but your death is my hope. Ah, by the merits of your death, give me grace to die, embracing your feet and burning with love of you. I commit my soul into your hands.
I love Thee with my whole heart; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Tui Nati vulnerati – Let me share with thee His pain
Tam dignati pro me pati – Who for all our sins was slain
Poenas mecum divide – Who for me in torments died
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
THIRTEENTH STATION
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that, our Lord having expired, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Him down from the cross, and placed Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with unutterable tenderness, and pressed Him to her bosom.
O Mother of Sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for your servant and pray to Him for me. And you, my Redeemer, since you died for me, permit me to love you; for I wish but you, my Jesus, and I repent of ever having offended you.
Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Fac me tecum pie flere – Let me mingle tears with thee
Crucifixo condolere – Mourning Him Who mourned for me
Donec ego vixero – All the days that I may live
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
FOURTEENTH STATION
Jesus is Laid in His Tomb
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by His holy Mother, who arranged it in the sepulchre with her own hands. They then closed the tomb and all withdrew.
Oh, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses you. But you did rise again on the third day. I beseech you, by your resurrection, make me rise glorious with you at the last day, to be always united with you in heaven, to praise you and love you forever.
I love Thee, and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
All:
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Stabat Mater Stanza:
Juxta Crucem tecum stare – By the cross with thee to stay
Et me tibi sociare – There with thee to weep and pray
In plactu desidero – Is all I ask of thee to give
Response:
Sancta Mater, istud agas – Holy Mother! pierce me through
Crucifixi fige plagas – In my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide – Of my Savior crucified
CLOSING PRAYER TO JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED
Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself on my knees in your sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beg you to impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm desire of amendment, while with deep affection and grief of soul I contemplate your five most precious wounds, having before my eyes that which David spoke in prophecy: “They pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones.” God has loved us from all eternity. So He says: “Remember I first loved you. You had not come to be, nor did the world yet exist, but I loved you already. From all eternity I have loved you.”
Photo Attribution:
- San Polo / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)