An Abridged Stations of the Cross for Busy Persons

An Abridged Stations of the Cross for Busy Persons

By Anthony Maranise, Obl.S.B.

Recite one ‘Gloria Patri’ (Glory be to the Father…) after the brief prayer which corresponds to each Station.

            The First Station: Jesus is sentenced to death by the command of Pontius Pilate

Lord of Love, You innocently accepted the sentence which we deserve because of our sinful disobedience. Lead us always back to You whenever we begin to stray. Amen.

            The Second Station: Jesus takes up the Cross

King of Compassion, God as You are, You could have saved Yourself the pain of this torment. But, for our sake, You embraced Your Cross. Embrace us now who need You in our every moment. Amen.

            The Third Station: Jesus falls for the first time

Humble Jesus, You fell, but not as we do. Remind us each time we fall into sin of the limitless depths of Your mercy. May we never tire of seeking after Your forgiveness and the hope which comes from it. Amen.

            The Fourth Station: Jesus encounters His Sorrowful Mother along the Way of the Cross

Christ, Our Consolation, even as You trod the Way of the Cross, You did not even consider Your own pain as You stopped to comfort Your weeping and ever-beloved Mother. In union with the Immaculate Heart of Your Holy Mother, kindly look upon and take pity on us who are so needy. Amen.

          The Fifth Station: St. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His Cross

Merciful Jesus, You showed strength even in weakness in that You were not too proud to accept help in carrying Your Cross. Remind us to turn to You, Our Helper, when we struggle to carry our own crosses. Amen.

            The Sixth Station: St. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus with her veil

Beloved Jesus, turn Your face towards us as You did to St. Veronica. Might Your visage leave an impression indelible upon our souls as You did her veil so that we may ever remember the pains our sins cause You. Amen.

            The Seventh Station: Jesus falls for the second time

Generous Jesus, no matter how many times we fall into sin, You are ever ready to welcome us back to Yourself. By meditating on Your second fall, may we receive the strength to persevere despite our own shortcomings. Amen.

            The Eighth Station: Jesus meets the weeping women of Jerusalem

Tender Lord, You encouraged the women of Jerusalem not to weep for You, but for their own children. Enkindle in us so compassionate a zeal for others that our own tears might flow for them and less for ourselves. Amen.

            The Ninth Station: Jesus falls for the third time

Blessed are You, Christ, Our Strength! Having barely any energy left along Your own Way of the Cross, Your love for us propelled You onward. May our love for You strengthen us along our own journeys when hope is waning. Amen.

            The Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped bare of His clothes

O Light of the World, help us to remember that our dignity comes not in who we are, but instead in Whose we are, that is, those whom You call ‘beloved’. When we are ashamed, may we receive encouragement in Your mercy. Amen.

            The Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Redeemer King, when life drives nails into us, let us never fail to remember that Your wounds were made glorious in Your obedience. Touch us in our woundedness that we too, in You, may become renewed instead of defeated. Amen.

            The Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the Cross

Creator, Redeemer, & Source of Inspiration, we do not deserve You and least of all do we deserve Your love. Yet, in Your boundless kindness, You long in wait for us. In every trial & triumph, may we run unto Your arms. Amen.

            The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from off the Cross

Kindest Savior, You are our only hope. Come, now, to our assistance and deliver us from all despair. Impel us forth by reminding us that only Your Cross stands ever firm as the world ceaselessly changes. Amen.

            The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is buried in the tomb

O Resurrection and Life, when we feel as if we have nothing left to give, hearten us in wonder and in awe of Your many mighty deeds. Made in Your image, may we reflect the hope of Your resurrection to all in despair. Amen.

Then, three days later…

          The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ

Ever Sovereign King of Kings, very God of very God, because You died in love with those You were sent to redeem, You redeemed love itself and demonstrated its unconquerable power over sin and the grave. We have placed all our hope in You; let not, then, our trust be in vain. Bring us to share, one day, in the fullness of Your resurrection, in body and in soul. Amen.