1. WAY OF THE CROSS
14 Stations of the Cross & Reflections

2. Opening Prayer
Leader: The Way of the Cross is truly a pilgrimage – a journey in faith with Jesus into the mystery of God’s love for us. He had to fulfill His Divine destiny to die and to be raised to eternal life. Jesus will restore life in its fullness when He comes again. Let us as a community of faith make this pilgrimage with Jesus, Our Lord, commemorating His unconditional and perfect love for us

3. All: Lord, teach us Your ways, shine in our lives that we will become light for others. Move in our hearts to change and convert us entirely to the will of the Father. Help us to be generous enough to walk the road to Calvary as you did, and to work for love, peace and justice.

4. THE FIRST STATION
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

5. THE FIRST STATION 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

6. Leader:
When the chief priests and the officers saw Jesus, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him”. The Jews answered, “We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself Son of God”.
Upon this, Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Ceaser’s friend; everyone who makes himself a king sets himself against Ceaser”. Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. (John 19:6-7, 12, 16)
Pause

7. Admonish the Sinner
All: We are conscious about the commission but we are not alert to the omission of sin. We are indifferent to the impact on creation, keeping silent on issues that need to be addressed threatening the very fabric of life created in His image and likeness.

8. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified All: Have mercy on us.

9. Hymn
Love it was that made us, And it was love that saved us, Love was God’s plan when He made man, God’s divine nature is love. Born of God’s love we must love Him, That’s why He made us to love Him, But only when we love all men, Can we partake of God’s love.

10. THE SECOND STATION
JESUS CARRIES
HIS CROSS

11. THE SECOND STATION JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS
Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

12. Leader: The soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”. And they spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on his head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him and they led him away to be crucified. (Matt 27: 27-31) (Pause)

13. Instruct the Uninformed
All: We, the church have a social responsibility to be the forebearers of the Good News. We are called to be the headlight and not the hind light, pick up our cross and follow Him.

14. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

15. Hymn
On a hill far away, Stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross, Where the dearest and best, For a world of lost sinners was slain Chorus: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown

16. THE THIRD STATION
JESUS FALLS
THE FIRST TIME

17. THE THIRD STATION JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME
Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You
All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

18. Leader:
“The stone which the builders rejected became the cornerstone. This was done by the Lord, what a wonderful sight it is”(Mark: 10-11)
You are the cornerstone which the builders rejected. Yet, here You are Lord Jesus, fallen on Your knees because of our indifference and arrogance. But this fall did not deter You from reaching the end of Your suffering in the Way of the Cross.
(Pause)

19. Counsel the doubtful
All: Lord, when we look around us, we see many people fall under the weight of poverty, destitution, misunderstanding, doubt. We fall many times when we fail to voice out for social justice in the world. We thank you for helping us to rise after every fall.

20. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

21. Hymn
God gives His people strength. If we believe in His way, He’s swift to repay, All those who share the burden of the day.

22. THE FOURTH STATION
JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

23. THE FOURTH STATION JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You
All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

24. Leader: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34) (Pause)

25. Comfort the Afflicted
All: It is through us Lord, that you want to reach out to comfort Your people; to put harmony where there is disharmony and to love where there is selfishness. You placed in each of us the gift of compassion to reach out to ease the pain and sufferings of our neighbours. Help us to surrender our lives and place it at the foot of the cross.

26. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

27. Hymn
Through Her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His better anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed.

28. THE FIFTH STATION
SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY
THE CROSS

29. THE FIFTH STATION SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS
Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You
All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

30. Leader: “The second most important commandment is this; Love your neighbor as you love yourself (Matt 22:39). Simon of Cyrene, an unwilling participant, assisted the Lord and put this commandment to practice. (Pause)

31. Be patient with those in error
All: Father, grant us the grace not to condemn but to live love. When we are weary of life’s journey, give us strength. Change our lives to live in harmony as we yearn to respond to Your call to live in humility and trust.

32. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

33. Hymn
Follow Christ and love the world as He did, When He walked upon the earth. Love each friend and enemy as He did, In God’s eyes we have equal worth.

34. THE SIXTH STATION
VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

35. THE SIXTH STATION 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

36. Leader: Veronica goes out of her way to show sympathy to one who is condemned to death. St. Paul reminds us; “Don’t be afraid. Always be courageous, for you have been given the privilege of serving Christ not only by believing in Him but also by suffering for Him. (Pause)

37. Forgive the Offences
All: Lord Jesus, you teach us to forgive more than we can ever imagine, beyond the comprehension of our hearts and mind. Help us to recognize our brokenness and weakness. Put in our hearts the humility and the will to forgive those who have hurt us.

38. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

39. Hymn
Do you know that the Lord dwells in men? Do you know He resides in their hearts? His face is shining in everyone we meet. Do you know He’s disguised as every man?

40. THE SEVENTH STATION
JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

41. THE SEVENTH STATION JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME
Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You
All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

42. Leader: We too fall again and again because of our infidelity and hardness of heart. We want to be ‘of the world’ and not ‘of Christ’. Yet God does not leave us crushed by our sins and burdens but picks us up and forgives us. (Pause)

43. Pray for the living and the dead
All: Help us Lord, to put the commandment into practice, “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. May we imitate Mary, by accepting a share in the cross of Jesus and trying to live always free from sin and fear of death.

44. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

45. Hymn
By my sins I have abandoned, Right and claim to heaven above. Where the saints rejoice forever, In a boundless sea of love. Chorus: Jesus! Lord! I ask for mercy, Let me not implore in vain! All my sins I now detest them, Help me not to sin again.

46. THE EIGHTH STATION
JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

47. THE EIGHT STATION JESUS MEETS 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

48. Leader: A large crowd of people followed Him; among them were some women who were weeping and waiting for Him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for Me, but for yourselves and your children.” (Lk 23:27-28) (Pause)

49. Feed the Hungry
All: On Calvary we were joined together in you, Lord. Help us crucify all self-indulgence so that we will bear the fruit of the Spirit in our life-love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness and gentleness.

50. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

51. Hymn
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give, I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all (2x) All to Thee my Blessed Saviour, I surrender all.

52. THE NINTH STATION
JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

53. THE NINTH STATION JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME
Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You
All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

54. Leader: “I am poured out like water and all my bones are scattered…Thou hast brought me down to the dust of death.” (Ps 22:14-15) (Pause)

55. Give drink to the thirsty
All: Today Lord, we still fall in weakness, discouragement. Help us to realize our responsibility for the sins of the world; unemployment, exploitation, climate change, war. We are all responsible for these sins. You have shown us how we can help others to rise again: for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, in prison and you visited me....

56. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

57. Hymn
Jesus keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain, Free to all a healing stream, Flows from Calvary’s mountain. In the Cross, in the Cross, Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find, Rest beyond the river.

58. THE TENTH STATION
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

59. THE TENTH STATION 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

60. Leader: The soldiers took the garments of Jesus and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, “let us not tear it but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the scripture, “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” (Jn 19:23-24) (Pause)

61. Clothe the Naked
All: In this materialistic and consumeristic world, we are driven to love more things. Even the land and seas and nature is being plundered. If we truly are the salt of the earth and light of the world, let us lead by Your example in protecting the dignity of creation.

62. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

63. Hymn
Make me a channel of Your peace, Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love, Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in You.

64. THE ELEVENTH STATION
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

65. THE ELEVENTH STATION 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

66. Leader: And it was the third hour, when they crucified him
Leader: And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left. (Mk 15:25-27) (Pause)

67. Shelter the Homeless
All: Today, Lord, we see You condemned in the poor, the homeless, in the destruction of creation. Give us the spirit of humility to support and defend the voiceless.

68. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

69. Hymn
Search me, O God, And know my heart today. Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts I pray. See if there is some wicked way in me, Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

70. THE TWELFTH STATION
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

71. THE TWELFTH STATION 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

72. Leader: After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said “I thirst”. A bowl of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Jn 19:28-30) (Pause)

73. Comfort the Imprisoned
All: Lord, we desire to die to all that displeases You, to the desire of our senses, to the world and to ourselves. Cross of my Saviour, You are the tree of life that unites heaven and earth and the altar upon which we wish to sacrifice ourselves.

74. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

75. Hymn
We stand for God, Jesus our Master, Has died to save with love untold, His law divine and truth unchanging, In this our land their place must hold. Strengthen our faith Redeemer, Guard us when danger is nigh, To Thee we pledge our lives and service (twice) Strong in a trust that ne’er can die.

76. THE THIRTEENTH STATION
JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

77. THE THIRTEENTH STATION 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

78. Leader: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be given great glory
Leader: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be given great glory. I tell you the truth; A grain of wheat is no more than a single grain unless it is dropped to the ground and dies. If it dies, then it produces many grains. (Jn 12:24-25) (Pause)

79. Heal the sick
All: It is through us Lord, that You want to reach out to comfort Your people; to put harmony where there is disharmony and love where there is selfishness. Give us the grace and strength to do Your will.

80. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

81. Hymn
Chorus: O Cross reign victorious! O Cross! Thou wilt redeem us. Renew our strength and valour, Uplift the downcast man, Prize hope in life’s dark hour, To deathless life the span. (Chorus)

82. THE FOURTEENTH STATION
JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

83. THE FOURTEENTH STATION JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB
Leader: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You
All: Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world

84. Leader: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed. (Pause)

85. Bury
the dead
All: Lord, you have saved all mankind and whole of creation has been re-established in love. We realize Lord, that the Way of the Cross is not finished. It passes through every place where there is suffering, great or small. But we realize that the mystery of redemption is also the mystery of the resurrection, for the Way of the Cross does not end in the tomb but continues beyond and leads to the joys of eternal life.

86. Leader: Lord Jesus, crucified
All: Have mercy on us.

87. Hymn
I have decided to follow Jesus (3x) No turning back, no turning back. The world behind me, the Cross before me (3x) Though no one join me, I still will follow (3x) Take the whole world, but give me Jesus (3x) I’ll follow Him, I’ll follow Him

88. CLOSING PRAYER
Leader: The life of Jesus does not stop at the Cross. If it did, our faith would be in vain. Christ’s death won us back from death. His resurrection gives us new hope. The Cross and resurrection can never be separated. God our Father, by raising Your Son, You opened the way for the faithful to live eternal life. Death has no power over those who believe in the passion of our Christ.

89. All:
Father, raise us up on the last day and renew our life by the Spirit that lives within us, we ask this in the Precious Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

90. Let us say One Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be for the intentions of the Pope.