Note: This “Stations of the Cross” is brought to you with the permission granted to our Congregation by Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist in Independence, Missouri, U.S. As you comtemplate this Passion of Jesus, please pray for them and for us. May our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified bless you abundantly in return.
Saint Francis of Assisi lived his entire life after his conversion in imitation of Jesus. He continually proclaimed to all who would listen that each and everyone should live the Gospel. St. Francis came to know what this meant by constant meditation on the life of Christ.
St Francis created a set of images, the Stationss of the Cross, to aid us in the spread of the Gospel. These vivid images, seen in most Catholic churches, remind us of the passion and death of Jesus. From His condemnation by Pilate, through His journey along the path to Calvary cumminating in His death and burial, the stations engrave upon our hearts and minds the images, tragic and beautiful, which are the stepping-stones of our redepmtion. The passion of Jesus was so real to St. Francis that, as a special gift, our Lord shared with him in the stigmata the wounds of His death.
Station I
Jesus is Condemned to Death
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Pilate condemned Jesus to death out of fear of the crowd. Often people act out of fear of what others will say or do. Jesus, You were afraid, too, but did not compromise the truth. Help me to be courageous and speak the truth even in the face of fear.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station II
Jesus Takes Up His Cross
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Jesus accepted the Cross as the will of His Father even though. He knew it would be painful and would be the instrument of His death. When the difficulties of life seem to overwhelm me, help me, Jesus, to accept my crosses as the will of our Father.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station III
Jesus Fails the First Time
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Jesus’s weakened body could not sustain the burden of the cross weighted down with the sins of the world. Help me, Jesus, to carry my daily burdens and to get up to continue my journey along life’s path.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station IV
Jesus Meets His Mother
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Jesus and Mary, two hearts filled with perfect love and beating in the same rhythm, shared one another’s burdens, and comforted each other in sorrow. Jesus, help me to perfectly love You and Your mother that I may share Your sorrows and joys.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station V
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Simon was forced to help Jesus but as he walked beside Him his anger and selfishness were changed into love. He realized it was Jesus who was helping him to carry his cross. Jesus, help me to realize in difficult times that You are there carrying my cross.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station VI
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Simple kindness in life usually go unnoticed. Veronica simply offered Jesus her veil to clean His face. Help me, Jesus, to step forward with courage to make simple act of love and kindness toward You in my neighbor.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station VII
Jesus Falls the Second Time
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
The pain of falling jarred every part of Jesus’ body but He got up with determination and acceptance. He made no excuses. Jesus, help me to continue on when I fall or fail in some task. Give me strength not to blame others nor to complain.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station VIII
Jesus Meets to Women
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
The courage of the women to come forward was fired by their love of Jesus. Seeking to comfort Him they were comforted instead. Help me, Jesus, to reach out to comfort those who are suffering out of love for You and help them to accept the consolation You give through me.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station IX
Jesus Falls the Third Time
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
The finish line was in sight when Jesus fell again. He did not hesitate but raised Himself up to continue on. Help me, Jesus, to imitate You when all seems lost. Give me the fortitude to finish the race of my life with my focus on You.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station X
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Everything this world had given to Jesus was taken away: His clothing, His dignity, even parts of His Flesh were torn from His body. He spoke not a word in protest. Jesus, when I am stripped of the things I prize in this world: a friend, a relative, a possession, or my good name help me to accept this as You did.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station XI
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Jesus stretched out His hands to be nailed to the cross. Though He cried out in pain He did not fight His executioners as the other prisoners had done. The guards were shocked at His submission. Jesus, help me to be submissive to the pains of life accepting all as the Father’s will.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station XII
Jesus Dies on the Cross
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Mary, John and Magdalen, the pure, the priest, and the penitent stood at the foot of the cross. Jesus, help me to be pure like Mary, to follow You closely like John, and to be repented like Magdalen. When my life is finished, may I hear You say, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station XIII
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
Is there any pain like that of a mother who sees and shares the suffering of her child and who holds his lifeless body in her arms? Is there any greater joy than that of a mother who knows her child will live on? Mary knew both. Jesus, help me to live in faith like Mary that I might live forever like You.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Station XIV
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
We Adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross
You have redeemed the world.
The tomb was cold and dark, seemingly the final resting place of Jesus and of the hopes that He had kindled in the lives of His followers. Did they remember what He said? Did they believe what He said? Jesus, help me to believe Your words and to be patient in waiting for their fulfillment.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Conclusion of the Stations
Jesus, thank You for suffering and dying for us all. This journey that we have just shared is but a vague glimpse into Your true passion. Help me to carry my cross with courage and determination to complete my personal journey with joy knowing that You are ever at my side.
I love You, Jesus my love.
I love You more than myself.
I am sorry for having offended you.
May I never offend You again.
May I love You always.
Then do with me what You will.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father.