Scriptural Way of the Cross
(First Celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday 1991)
SYMBOLS
[℣] Leader [℟] Response [Ⱥ] All togetherSIGN OF THE CROSS
† In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit † Amen.
[Make an Act of Contrition, and form your intention of gaining the indulgences connected to the Stations of the Cross, for yourself or for the souls in Purgatory.]
ACT OF CONTRITION
[Ⱥ] Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to you and say: “I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called your child.”
Christ Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief to whom you promised Paradise: “Lord, remember me in your kingdom.”
Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I call on you with trust: “Purify my heart, and help me to walk as a child of light.”
OPENING PRAYER
[℣] God of power and mercy, in love you sent your Son that we might be cleansed of sin and live with you forever. Bless us as we gather to reflect on his suffering and death that we may learn from his example the way we should go. We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord. [℟] Amen.
The 1st Station
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Matthew 26:36-41
Then Jesus went with them to a garden, which is called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them: “My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”
And continuing on a little further, he fell prostrate on his face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass away from me. Yet truly, let it not be as I will, but as you will.”
And he approached his disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter: “So, were you not able to keep vigil with me for one hour? Be watchful and pray, so that you may not enter into temptation. Indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
[℣] Lord, grant us your strength and wisdom, that we may seek to follow your will in all things. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 2nd Station
Jesus, betrayed by Judas, is Arrested
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Mark 14: 43-46
And while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, and the elders.
Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying: “He whom I shall kiss, it is he. Take hold of him, and lead him away cautiously.” And when he had arrived, immediately drawing near to him, he said: “Hail, Master!” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
[℣] Lord, grant us the courage of our convictions that our lives may faithfully reflect the good news you bring. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 3rd Station
Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Luke 22: 66-71
And when it was daytime, the elders of the people, and the leaders of the priests, and the scribes convened. And they led him before their council, saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”
And he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe me. And if I also question you, you will not answer me. Neither will you release me. But from this time, the Son of Man will be sitting at the right hand of the power of God.”
Then they all asked, “So you are the Son of God?”
And he replied, “You are saying that I am.”
And they said: “Why do we still require testimony? For we have heard it ourselves, from his own mouth.”
[℣] Lord, grant us your sense of righteousness that we may never cease to work to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 4th Station
Jesus is Denied by Peter
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Matthew 26: 69-75
Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a maidservant approached him, saying, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”
But he denied it in the sight of them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
Then, as he exited by the gate, another maidservant saw him. And she said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
And again, he denied it with an oath, “For I do not know the man.”
And after a little while, those who were standing nearby came and said to Peter: “Truly, you also are one of them. For even your manner of speaking reveals you.”
Then he began to curse and to swear that he had not known the man.
And immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And going outside, he wept bitterly.
[℣] Lord, grant us the gift of honesty that we may not fear to speak the truth even when difficult. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 5th Station
Jesus is Judged by Pilate
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Mark 15: 1-5, 15
In the morning, after the leaders of the priests with the elders and the scribes held council, they bound Jesus, they led him away and delivered him to Pilate.
And Pilate questioned him, “You are the king of the Jews?”
But in response, he said to him, “You are saying it.”
And the leaders of the priests accused him of many things. Then Pilate again questioned him, saying: “Do you not have any response? See how greatly they accuse you.”
But Jesus continued to give no response, so that Pilate amazed…
Then Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas, and he delivered Jesus, having severely scourged him, to be crucified.
[℣] Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 6th Station
Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Mark 15: 1-5, 15
Pilate then took Jesus into custody and scourged him. And the soldiers, plaiting a crown of thorns, thrust it on his head. And they put a purple garment around him. And they approached him and saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly.
[℣] Lord, grant us patience in times of suffering that we may offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 7th Station
Jesus Bears the Cross
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from John 19: 6, 15-17
When the high priests and the attendants saw [Jesus], they cried out, saying: “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them: “Take him yourselves and crucify him. For I find no case against him.” But they were crying out: “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The high priests responded, “We have no king except Caesar.” Therefore, he then handed him over to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led him away. And carrying his own cross, he went out to the place called Calvary, but in Hebrew it is called the Place of the Skull.
[℣] Lord, grant us strength of purpose that we may faithfully bear our crosses each day. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 8th Station
Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Mark 15: 21
They compelled a certain passerby, Simon the Cyrenian, who was arriving from the countryside, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to take up his cross.
[℣] Lord, grant us willing spirits that we may be your instruments on earth. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 9th Station
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Luke 23: 27-31
A great crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him. Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep over me. Instead, weep over yourselves and over your children. For behold, the days will come when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have not nursed.’ Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall over us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things with green wood, what will be done with the dry?”
[℣] Lord, grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who mourn. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 10th Station
Jesus is Crucified
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Luke 23: 33-34
When they arrived at the place called Calvary, they crucified him there, with the robbers, one to the right and the other to the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do.”
[℣] Lord, grant us merciful hearts that we may bring your reconciliation and forgiveness to all. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 11th Station
Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Luke 23: 33-34
One of the thieves who were hanging there reviled him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” But the other responded by rebuking him, saying: “Do you have no fear of God, since you are subject the same condemnation? And indeed, it is just for us. For we are receiving what our deeds deserve. But truly, this one has done nothing wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you, this day you shall be with me in Paradise.”
[℣] Lord, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 12th Station
Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from John 19: 25-27
Standing beside the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, and Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. Therefore, when Jesus had seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then, he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” And from that hour, the disciple accepted her as his own.
[℣] Lord, grant us constancy that we may be willing to stand by those in need. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 13th Station
Jesus Dies on the Cross
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from John 19: 25-27
Now it was nearly the sixth hour, and a darkness occurred over the entire earth, until the ninth hour. And the sun was obscured. And the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And upon saying this, he expired.
[℣] Lord, grant us trust in you that when our time on earth in ended our spirits may come to you without delay. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
The 14th Station
Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
[℣] We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. [℟] Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading from Matthew 27: 57-60
Then, when evening had arrived, a certain wealthy man from Arimathea, named Joseph, arrived, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. This man approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be released. And Joseph, taking the body, wrapped it in a clean finely woven linen cloth, and he placed it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb, and he went away.
[℣] Lord, grant us your compassion that we may always provide for those in need. [℟] Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
CLOSING PRAYER
[℣] Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites earth and heaven and reconciles all people to you. May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. [℟] Amen.
[℣] May the divine assistance remain always with us, [℟] and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
SIGN OF THE CROSS
† In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit † Amen.
