THE VIA CRUCIS, OR WAY OF

THE CROSS

THE origin of the Devotion of the Stations

can be traced back to the earliest days of Christianity. Who can doubt that after the Ascension of her Divine Son, the Blessed Virgin would often visit the places consecrated by His presence, and especially the Via Crucis from Jerusalem to Calvary; and that the early Christians venerated the places which were the scenes of their beloved Master's sufferings and death.

S. Jerome relates that early in the fourth century pilgrims came from far to visit the sacred ground, and history has told us how S. Helena discovered the true Cross A.D. 325. Since then the stream of pilgrims has been continuous.

On the conquest of Palestine by the Mahomedans, in consequence of the difficulties of visiting the Way of the Cross, the Church authorized the Devotion of the Stations, in order that Christians throughout the world might be encouraged to commemorate in their churches or homes the last sad scenes of our Blessed Lord's life, Who suffered 'for us men and for our salvation'.

It is customary for Catholics to say the Stations in church privately, using the prescribed prayers, on Wednesdays and Fridays, especially during Lent.

The following is the usual Devotion.

THE STATIONS OF THE

CROSS

PRAYER IN PREPARATION

O JESUS, my adorable Saviour,

behold me prostrate at Thy feet, imploring Thy mercy. Vouchsafe to apply to my soul the infinite merits of Thy Passion, on which I am now about to meditate. Grant that while I follow Thee along this Way of Sorrows, my heart may be so touched with true contrition, that I may be willing to accept cheerfully for Thy sake all the sufferings and humiliations of this my pilgrimage on earth. Amen.

V. O Lord, open Thou our lips.

R. And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

V. O God, make speed to save us. R. O Lord, make haste to help us. V. Glory be to the Father.

R. As it was in the beginning.

HYMN

Stabat Mater Dolorosa.

By the Cross sad vigil keeping,
Stood the Mother doleful weeping,
Where her Son extended hung;
For her soul, of joy bereaved,
Bowed with anguish, deeply grievèd,
Lo! the piercing sword hath wrung,

FIRST STATION

Jesus condemned to death.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy Cross and precious Blood Thou hast redeemed the world.

MEDITATION

JESUS, after leaving the house of

Caiaphas, where He had been blasphemed, and the palace of Herod, where He had been mocked, is dragged before Pilate; His back is torn with scourges, His Head is crowned with thorns, and He Who on the last day will judge the living and the dead, is condemned to a shameful death.

PRAYER

INNOCENT Jesus, Who with wonderful submission wast for our sakes condemned to die; Grant that we may bear in mind that our sins were the false-witnesses; our blasphemies, backbitings, and evil speakings were the cause of Thy accepting with gladness the sentence of the impious judge. O may this thought touch our hearts and make us hate those sins which caused Thy death. Amen.

ACT OF CONTRITION

of

for love of Thee, and am heartily sorry that I have ever sinned against Thee. I love Thee with my whole heart; may I never again offend Thee. O may I love Thee without_ceasing, and delight in all things to do Thy holy will. Amen.

UR 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. Amen.

AIL, Mary, full of grace, the Lord

is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

V. Glory be to the Father.
R. As it was in the beginning.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

O how sad and sore distressèd,
Now was she, that Mother blessèd
Of the Sole-Begotten One!
Woe-begone, with heart's prostration,
Mother meek, the bitter passion
Saw she of her Glorious Son.

SECOND STATION

Jesus receives His Cross.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy Cross and precious Blood Thou hast redeemed the world.

A

MEDITATION

HEAVY cross is laid upon the bruised shoulders of Jesus. He receives it with meekness, nay with a secret joy, for it is the instrument with which He will redeem the world.

PRAYER

BLESSED Jesus, grant us by virtue of Thy Cross and bitter Passion, cheerfully to submit to and willingly to embrace all the trials and difficulties of this our earthly pilgrimage, and may we be always ready to take up our cross daily and follow Thee. Amen.