READER: Let us briefly enter with Jesus on the journey he makes through Jerusalem, from the Fortress of Pilate near the Temple, to outside the walls, to the hill of Calvary and a tomb nearby. 

There is a sense of dread we feel today, as a mighty storm seems to approach. The world, it seems, holds its breath to see what is about to happen. 

PRIEST / LEADER: Let us pray. 

As these events unfold before us today, loving Father, help us to be witnesses of your love. Help us not to be merely bystanders, onlookers, simply watching and waiting. By the power of our Baptism, in which your Holy Spirit first stirred in our hearts, now stir up our hearts once again to recognize the immense love with which you have made us, and the profound love with which you have redeemed us in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who walks this Way of the Cross in our place. Help us to see the mystery of his love from his perspective, from within his Body, whose members we truly are. 

Help us to bear with him the insult of false conviction, the weight of his cross, the ridicule of the crowds, the pain of his suffering, his loneliness and abandonment, the agony of death. Help us also to recognize the love and commitment of Mary, our mother, the compassion of the women, the comfort of Veronica, the assistance of Simon, the faith of the criminal hang-ing nearby, the loyalty of his beloved John, beneath the cross, and his joy of fulfilling your will that all might be truly saved. 

Help us to find the meaning of our life’s journey in his Journey. Make our hearts overflow with gratitude that this Journey of Jesus brings with it the possibility of a new heaven and a new earth, and help us to offer ourselves, with Jesus on the Cross, to make his mission our own. 

We unite our hearts today with the offering of Jesus, your Son, so that living the faith of the Journey of the Cross, we might also live with the hope of life eternal in his Resurrection on the last day. 

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Were you there as they sentenced him to death? 

Were you there as they sentenced him to death?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as they sentenced him to death? 

THE 1ST STATION
Jesus is condemned to die. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: On the Jewish feast of the Passover, it was the custom for the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, to give freedom to one prisoner chosen by the people. Pilate wants to release Jesus because he could not find him guilty of any crime. But Pilate gives in to the demands of the crowd: he frees a murderer named Barabbas instead, and hands Jesus over to be scourged and crucified. 

PRIEST / LEADER: 

Imagine we are praying in the Garden with Jesus. Th disciples are sleeping. Then the soldiers come and take Jesus away to the courtroom and we listen as Jesus is condemned to death. Even though Jesus knows he doesn’t deserve it, he remains silent and prays for the people who want him to die. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, it isn’t right! You did nothing wrong. You are the Son of God and you became a man to bring your Father’s justice and mercy into the world, because without you we could not hope for heaven. You came to teach us to love you, and to love one another as you love us. Help me always to love you more. Help me to learn how not to judge others. Teach me to be understanding and forgiving with the people in my life. Show me how to see with your eyes, Jesus. 

Were you there as he took the Cross for us? 

Were you there as he took the Cross for us?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as he took the Cross for us? 

THE 2ND STATION:
Jesus takes up his Cross. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: After severely whipping and beating Jesus, soldiers dress him in a royal purple robe, and place a crown of sharp thorns on his head. Then they humiliate him, shouting “Hail, King of the Jews!” He is given an impossibly heavy wooden cross to carry to Calvary, the place where he will be crucified. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine that we see Jesus pick up his heavy Cross. If we tried to lift it, it would be too heavy. “Can Jesus carry this heavy Cross by himself all the way to Calvary?” we wonder. Jesus patiently, lovingly lifts the Cross to his shoulder, knowing that this is what his Father wants him to do: to save us from the punishment of our sins, and to carry the Cross for us. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, I am afraid when my problems seem too heavy for me. Give me the grace I need to do the hard things I must do, and the wisdom to turn to you when I need help. I know you are always here to help me, especially in difficult times. Teach me to be kind, because now I can see how much you suffer when I hurt other people or disrespect them. 

Were you there as he fell beneath the Cross? 

Were you there as he fell beneath the Cross?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as he fell beneath the Cross? 

THE 3RD STATION:
Jesus falls the first time. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: Jesus is already weak from being cruelly whipped. He falls under the weight of the Cross. But his determination to do his Father’s will is stronger than his physical suffering, and he struggles back to his feet and goes forward. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine that we are in the crowd following right behind Jesus when he trips and falls. It is frightening to see someone so kind and gentle having to suffer all alone. Jesus stands up again and looks back at us with his gentle smile. “We can make it,” his eyes seem to say. I believe we can. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, it is because we fall into sin and selfishness that you now fall beneath the weight of our Cross for us. Teach us to be strong like you. When we are tempted, keep our consciences true and help us to remember that you are there to keep us from falling. Lift me up, Jesus, so you and I can continue to walk together always. 

Were you there as he beheld his mother’s face? 

Were you there as he beheld his mother’s face?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as he beheld his mother’s face? 

THE 4TH STATION:
Jesus meets his Mother, Mary. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: Jesus sees Mary, his mother, in the crowd at the side of the road. Their meeting is short, only a pause, and Mary is crying silently. The disciples tried to keep Mary at home today, to avoid the anger and false judgment of the crowd. Mary insists on being there, to see for herself how much her Son loves his people, the Son who was given to her by the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine how much pain both Jesus and Mary must feel. Mary, his mother, suffers because she sees her Son in so much pain and humiliation. Jesus suffers even more because he loves his mother very much and knows how much this hurts her to watch. Jesus stops with the Cross for a moment and they look into each other’s eyes. They are both peaceful, because they both know how important Jesus’ suffering is for the salvation of the world. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, you have given us your mother Mary to be our mother, too, to comfort us and be with us. As I follow you today and always, I know the way will be hard. Help me to turn to her and ask her for her special help. Also, help me never to hurt my own mother and father, because they love and care for me, and suffer with me as Mary did for you on the way to Calvary. 

Were you there when they searched for one to help? 

Were you there when they searched for one to help?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to searched for, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when they searched for one to help? 

THE 5TH STATION:
Simon helps Jesus carry the Cross. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: The soldiers do not want Jesus to die before he gets to Calvary, but he is very weak from the scourging he has received from them. They grab an onlooker from the crowd, Simon of Cyrene, to help Jesus carry the heavy Cross. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We see Jesus getting more and more weary. We know that Jesus taught us that we must take up our own cross and follow in his footsteps, but what can we do now? Are the soldiers looking around for somebody to help Jesus? What if they choose me? Would I be strong enough to help Jesus in this way? But the soldiers choose Simon, a man passing by, to carry the load for us. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, I wish now that the soldiers had chosen me to help you. You are so good and gentle, and if everyone had taken just a little bit of the weight of the Cross, your burden would have been lighter. Help me to know the ways in which I can help you, even if it is just a small part of your work today. Help me to be generous in my neighborhood and my church, and to grow up knowing that you call us to help you save souls. 

Were you there as that brave girl cared for him? 

Were you there as that brave girl cared for him?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as that brave girl cared for him? 

THE 6TH STATION:
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: As Jesus struggles along the way of the Cross, he continues to bleed from the crown of thorns and the wounds he has received. He is covered with sweat, and blood is getting in his eyes. A woman in the crowd, Veronica, is overcome with compassion. She runs to Jesus and, taking her veil, she wipes his face. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine Jesus so worn out and tired. Could anyone be brave enough to step in front of the cruel soldiers and comfort Jesus? Veronica is. Does she even know Jesus, or does she always take the risk to care for those who are unjustly treated, even strangers? She has a lot of courage, to help Jesus now when everyone else has turned their backs on him. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, I want to do what is right and good, but sometimes I am afraid of what others might say. Help me to be brave like Veronica, to act without fear in saying and doing the right thing. Help me to stand firm in my faith and my desire to love you more each day, even when others have turned their backs on you. 

Were you there when they saw him fall again? 

Were you there when they saw him fall again?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when they saw him fall again? 

THE 7TH STATION:
Jesus falls the second time. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: Jesus’ legs are wearing out with each new step. He falls again. The weight of the Cross forces him to the ground, but he gets up again, a second time, and keeps going. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine how the angry crowd suddenly becomes silent when Jesus falls a second time. “Is he dead?” you hear someone ask. We want to kneel down next to Jesus and hold him, and whisper, “Jesus, I’m sorry.” We realize that he is falling for us, and add, “Jesus, don’t give up.” And, giving him your hand, you help him back to his feet. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, it is my sin that continues to be so heavy that you fall again. Yet, I sin again and again. Like your way to Calvary, in my confessing you give me your forgiveness again and again. You give me your hand, and I have the strength to get up and start over. Thank you for never giving up on me. Help me to never sin against you again, and grant that I may love you always. 

Were you there as the women wept for him? 

Were you there as the women wept for him?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as the women wept for him? 

THE 8TH STATION:
Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you.

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: Jesus then sees a group of women weeping, and crying out how badly He was treated. They are terrified by the brutal violence of this scene. He says to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” 

PRIEST / LEADER: When we recall Jesus’ passion, we know that he cannot suffer again. 

Our tears, then, should be for our own sins. We image how wonderful is this Son of God, that in the middle of his own terrible pain, he stops to teach us that he is doing all this for us so that we might turn away from our selfishness toward him, toward the new life of grace he offers. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, even as you suffer, you teach us to seek your truth and not miss the point of what is happening here. Help me to be more concerned with others instead of always worrying about myself. Gather together our community in the active worship of God and the life of the Sacraments. Don’t let us pass up the opportunity of the new life you offer us. 

Were you there as he can no longer walk? 

Were you there as he can no longer walk?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as he can no longer walk? 

THE 9TH STATION:
Jesus falls a third time. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: Jesus, having gone about as far as he can, falls again under the Cross. Clearly, he is near dying. But, again, he slowly gets up and continues the way of the Cross. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine that we are with Jesus as he falls again. He could have called to his Father for help, but he accepted the plan his Father had for him. That is because he understands the purpose of his suffering. We say to Jesus, “Get up, Jesus. I can’t travel this way of the Cross without you.” And, again, he continues with us. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, Your failing strength makes me see how helpless I am. Help me to rely on your strength, to see how much I need you. Give me the faith I need to remember that you always walk with me, that you will never leave me. In moments of suffering or hardship, help me always to see the value in making it an offering to you, as you have done for me. 

Were you there as they stripped him of his cloak? 

Were you there as they stripped him of his cloak? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as they stripped him of his cloak? 

THE 10TH STATION:
Jesus is stripped of his clothes. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: Jesus finally comes to the place where he will be crucified. The soldiers tear away his clothing from his wounded body and Jesus, humiliated, stands now before the crowd with no possessions at all. The soldiers take his clothes and divide them up among themselves. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine Jesus standing alone without anything or anyone to comfort him. “How I wish I could give him my coat,” we think. “He has given me so much; what can I give him?” Even though he has nothing to make him look like a king, no one can rob him of his dignity as God’s own Son and ruler of all souls. 

ALL: Lord Jesus, seeing you so cruelly treated makes me think about how sometimes my own possessions are way too important to me. I am too concerned with my own accomplishments. I have to have my way too often. Teach me to share the things I have with people in need. Teach me to seek the things in this life that are really important and pleasing to you, and beneficial to me and others. Help me to let go of those things in my life that distract me and prevent me from growing closer to you and to others. 

Were you there as they nailed him to the tree? 

Were you there as they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there as they nailed him to the tree? 

THE 11TH STATION:
Jesus is nailed to the Cross. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: The soldiers lay Jesus down on the Cross and drive heavy nails through his hands and his feet so that he can no longer move. They move the Cross to a hole in the ground and set it upright, and Jesus hangs on the Cross that he has carried, crucified between two thieves. Even now, Jesus forgives the soldiers and the people who were making fun of him and shouting at him, and he prays to his Father, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 

PRIEST / LEADER: As we stand nearby, all we can hear is the sound of the hammers as the nails are driven into Jesus. This is suffering we can’t even imagine, and Jesus is going through it for me. The crowd grows quiet; Jesus doesn’t even cry out. There is nothing we can do now to save Him from this new pain. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, the pain you felt on the Cross was for me. Now, when I hear people laugh at you or use your name in anger, give me the strength to stand up for you and tell them of your great love for them. When I feel angry or hurt because of something wrong done to me, teach me not to hold a grudge. Help me to see your example and pray for the strength to forgive that person. 

Were you there when they pierced him in the side? 

Were you there when they pierced him in the side? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when they pierced him in the side? 

THE 12TH STATION:
Jesus dies on the Cross. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: After several hours of agony, Jesus cries out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” He gives his mother, Mary, to his beloved disciple, St. John, who is also there, standing at the foot of the Cross. Finally, he breathes his last breath and darkness comes over the earth. The great curtain made of iron in the Holy of Holies in the temple is torn in two, top to bottom; we are no longer separated from the temple of Jesus’ Body, which he will rebuild in three days. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine that now we are alone. The angry crowds have gone, and we are there with Mary and John, mourning the cruel death of Jesus, our brother and our friend. There is a terrible silence as Jesus, the Word of God, has spoken his last words. But the silence is not empty: It now speaks louder than all other words in the world. He spent his life teaching us how to live. He gave us faith, hope and love. He gave us his mother, and his Holy Spirit. In his gift of the blood and water that flowed from his side on the cross, his Church is born and we are reconciled with God. How deep is this love our God is showing for us! How much deeper my love must be in return! 

ALL: Look upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while I kneel here. Make my soul strong in faith, hope and love. Make me really sorry for my sins that I may never sin again. As I think upon your five wounds with deep sorrow and compassion, I recall, good Jesus, the words of your prophet, David: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.” 

I love you, Jesus. I am sorry for ever offending you. Grant that I may love you always. 

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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever.  Amen. 

Were you there when the sun refused to shine? 

Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when the sun refused to shine? 

THE 13TH STATION:
Jesus’ Body is taken down from the Cross. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you.

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: The crowds have all gone home. Joseph of Arimathea, a follower and friend of Jesus, goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus’ Body. With tenderness he goes to Calvary and carefully takes the lifeless, damaged Body of Jesus down from the Cross, and prepares it for burial. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We imagine Mary holding the lifeless Body of her Son. This was her baby not so long ago in Bethlehem. This was her boy who helped St. Joseph and learned the trade of a carpenter. This was the young man who taught a new way of life, a new truth. Who worked wonderful miracles, healing the sick and restoring goodness where He found suffering and evil. Simply, she says to us: “Behold, the Son of God.” She smiles at us through her tears, and asks us to follow her as she adores the Body of Christ sacrificed for our salvation on the altar of the Cross. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, fill the sadness of our hearts with faith and hope in the life that is yet to come. Keep your everlasting love always before us, and guide us on the road that leads to you in your heavenly Kingdom. Help us to place our lives in your gentle hands. 

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? 

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? 

STATION 14
Jesus’ Body is laid in the tomb. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise you. 

All, genuflecting:
Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. 

READER: Jesus’ body is placed in a tomb which has been carved out of rock. A large stone is rolled across the entrance, and everyone hurries home, for the sun is setting and Sabbath has begun. 

PRIEST / LEADER: We now follow the funeral procession with the few people who have remained to the end. But we know that his death is not the end, because he told us that on the third day he would rise from the dead. The tomb is dark, but we know that this darkness is only a doorway to the holy light of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

ALL: Dear Jesus, by your three days in the tomb you have made holy the graves of all those who have died in the hope of rising again. You were laid to rest in the darkness of the tomb that we might rise to eternal life, a place of light and peace. Help us never to fear death. Help us always to remember your promise of life even in the darkest times. You have died for us. Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Teach us to recognize your presence with us always, especially in the Eucharist when the memorial of this great Mystery of the Cross is made present to us. 

Were you there when they rolled the stone away? 

Were you there when they rolled the stone away? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when they rolled the stone away? 

ALL: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. 

PRIEST / LEADER: 

Let us pray. 

Lord, + send down your abundant blessing upon your people who have devoutly recalled the death of your Son in the sure hope of the resurrection. 

Grant them pardon; bring them comfort. May their faith grow stronger and their salvation be assured. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Let us go in peace.