In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Act of Contrition
Intention
You should form the intention of gaining the indulgences, whether for yourself or for the souls in Purgatory.
Prayer
My Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast made this journey to die for me with love unutterable, and I have so many times unworthily abandoned Thee; but now I love Thee with my whole heart, and because I love Thee, I repent sincerely for having ever offended Thee. Pardon me, my God, and permit me to accompany Thee on this journey. Thou goest to die for love of me; I wish also, my beloved Redeemer, to die for love of Thee. My Jesus, I will live and die always united to Thee.
Dear Jesus, Thou goest to die for very love of me. Let me bear Thy company; I wish to die with Thee.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3.16)
Though He was harshly treated, He submitted and opened not His mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, He was silent and opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53.7)
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15.13)
Meditation
Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the Cross.
Prayer
My Jesus, it was not Pilate, it was my sins that condemned Thee to die. I beg Thee, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity. I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart for having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
It was our infirmities that He bore, our sufferings that He endured. He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. (Isaiah 53, 4.6)
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9, 23)
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light." (Matthew 11, 28-29)
Meditation
Consider how Jesus, in making this journey with the Cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and for us offered to His Father the death He was about to undergo.
Prayer
My beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations Thou hast destined for me until death. I beg Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou hast suffered in carrying Thy Cross, to give me the necessary grace to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
He has broken my teeth with gravel, pressed my face in the dust; My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is. (Lamentations 3, 16-17)
We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the Lord laid upon Him the guilt of us all. (Isaiah 53.6)
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! (John 1,29)
Meditation
Consider this first fall of Jesus under His Cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowed with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey.
Prayer
My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the Cross, but my sins, which have made Thee suffer so much pain. By the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. I love Thee, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
"Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?" (Luke 2, 49)
Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like My suffering. (Lamentations 1, 12)
"You also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." (John 16, 22)
Meditation
Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.
Prayer
My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou hast experienced in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And Thou, my Queen, who were overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by Thy intercession a continual remembrance of the Passion of Thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me." (Matthew 25, 40)
Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6, 2)
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13, 16)
Meditation
Consider how the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus from weakness was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way, when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the Cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the Cross behind our Lord.
Prayer
My beloved Jesus, I will not refuse the Cross, as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death Thou hast destined for me; with all the pains that may accompany it; I unite it to Thy death, I offer it to Thee. Thou hast died for love of me; I will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
His look was marred beyond that of man, and His appearance beyond that of mortals. (Isaiah 52, 14)
"Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14, 9)
He spoke to us through a Son, whom He made heir to all things and through Whom He created the universe, Who is the refulgence of His glory, the very imprint of His being. (Hebrews 1.3)
Meditation
Consider how the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel, with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.
Prayer
My beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. My soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins; Thou alone, my Redeemer, can restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Thy Passion. O Jesus, I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped Me. (Psalm 118, 13)
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4, 15)
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11, 28)
Meditation
Consider the second fall of Jesus under the Cross - a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of the head and members of our afflicted Lord.
Prayer
My most gentle Jesus, how many times has Thou pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offend Thee! By the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary help to persevere in Thy grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assault me I may always commend myself to Thee. I love Thee, Jesus my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children." (Luke 23, 28)
"Anyone who does not remain in Me will be thrown out like a branch and wither." (John 15, 6)
"I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish!" (Luke 13, 3)
Meditation
Consider how those women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in such a pitiable state, streaming with blood, as He walked along. But Jesus said to them: Weep not for Me, but for your children.
Prayer
My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses I have committed against Thee, because of the pains they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure they have caused Thee, Who have loved me so much. It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
I am like water poured out; all My bones are racked. My heart has become like wax. My throat is dried up like baked clay, My tongue cleaves to My jaws; to the dust of death, you have brought Me down. (Psalm 22.15-16)
Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus. He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2.5-7)
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14.11)
Meditation
Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely strength to move.
Prayer
My outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness Thou hast suffered in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect, and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise Thy friendship. I love Thee, Jesus my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
They divide My garments among them, and for My vesture they cast lots. (Psalm 22.19)
Everyone of you who does not renounce all that he possess cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14.33)
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and as for the flesh, take no thought for its lust. (Romans 13.14)
Meditation
Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His flesh, and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them. Compassionate thy Savior thus cruelly treated, and say to Him:
Prayer
My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment Thou hast felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee, who are so worthy of my love. I love Thee, O Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
They have pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. (Psalm 22, 17-18)
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23, 34)
"I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him Who sent Me." (John 6, 38)
Meditation
Consider how Jesus, after being thrown on the Cross, extended His hands, and offered to His Eternal Father the sacrifice of His death for our salvation. These barbarians fastened Him with nails, and then, raising the Cross, allowed Him to die with anguish on this infamous gibbet.
Prayer
My Jesus! loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Thy feet, that it may ever remain there, to love Thee, and never leave Thee again. I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself." (John 12, 32)
"Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." (Luke 23, 46)
He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even to death on a cross. Therefore God also has exalted Him. (Philippians 2, 8-9)
Meditation
Consider how thy Jesus, after three hours Agony on the Cross, consumed at length with anguish, abandons Himself to the weight of His body, bows His head, and dies.
Prayer
O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the Cross on which Thou hast died for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death; but Thy death is my hope. By the merits of Thy death, give me grace to die, embracing Thy feet, and burning with love for Thee. I yield my soul into Thy hands. I love Thee with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
Did not the Christ have to suffer those things before entering into His glory? (Luke 24, 26)
Those who love Your law have great peace. (Psalm 119.165)
In this has the love of God been shown in our case, that God has sent His only-begotten Son into the world as a propitiation from sins. (1st John 4.9-10)
Meditation
Consider how, after the death of our Lord, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Him down from the Cross, and placed Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with unutterable tenderness, and pressed Him to her bosom.
Prayer
O Mother of Sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for Thy servant, and pray to Him for me. And Thou, my Redeemer, since Thou hast died for me, permit me to love Thee; for I wish only Thee, and nothing more. I love Thee, my Jesus, and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
Scripture
"Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit." (John 12, 24-25)
The death that Christ died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives unto God. Thus do you consider yourselves also as dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6, 10-11)
Christ rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. (1st Corinthians 15.3-4)
Meditation
Consider how the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by His holy Mother, who arranged It in the sepulcher with her own hands. They then closed the tomb, and all withdrew.
Prayer
Oh, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses Thee. But Thou hast risen the third day. I beg Thee, by Thy resurrection, make me rise glorious with Thee at the last day, to be always united with Thee in heaven, to praise Thee and love Thee forever. I love Thee, and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou will.
O my Lord Jesus, in honor of Thy Passion and death, I offer the following prayers.
O, my Lord Jesus, I offer the following prayers as my petition for this month's intentions of our holy father, the Pope.
Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself on my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beg Thee to impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment, while with deep affection and grief of soul I contemplate Thy five most precious Wounds, having before my eyes that which David spoke in prophecy: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have nmbered all My bones."
God has loved us from all eternity. So He says:
"Remember I first loved thee. Thou hast not come to be, nor did the world yet exist, but I loved thee already. From all eternity I have loved thee."
Saint Alphonsus Liguori
The Stations of the Cross is a popular devotion consisting of appropriate meditations before each of 14 stations representing successive stages in the Passion of Our Lord. The Way of the Cross is the most heavily indulgenced devotion in the Catholic Church; it is a devotion reputed to have been originated by Our Lady herself, who, legend has it, set up the original Way of the Cross in Her backyard in Ephesus. Moreover, the great saints all affirm that meditation on the Passion and Death of Our Dear Savior is the most fruitful that one can engage in.
Brother Estanislas, a young Spaniard, at the age of 18 entered the Novitiate of The Brothers of the Christian Schools at Bugedo. He took the Vow of Regularity, Perfection and Pure Love. In October, 1926, he offered himself to Jesus through Mary. Soon after this heroic donation, he felt ill, and was obliged to rest. He died saintly in March 1927. He was, according to the master of novices, a privileged soul, who received Messages from Heaven. Confessors and Theologians recognized these supernatural facts. The spiritual director of Brother Estanislas (1903-1927) asked him to write down the promises that Our Lord had revealed to him for those who have a devotion to the Way of the Cross. The promises are as follows:
"Next to the Mass, The Way of the Cross is the most beneficial of all devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory." A poor souls to a privileged nun. "Make the Stations of the Cross everyday". Our Lord to Sr. Josefa Menendez.