This devotion originated in Jerusalem,
when pilgrims retraced the steps of the
“Via Dolorosa”, the distance from the
Praetorium, where Jesus was condemned,
to Calvary hill, where he was crucified. It
was not until later on, however, that the
number of “stations” was fixed to four-
teen. All that is required in this practice is
to meditate on the Passion of Christ. What
each station is about does not actually
matter. It helps, though, and the tradi
tional 14 stations have been very dear to
Christians.
1. Jesus is condemned to death.
L: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R: Because by your holy cross you have
redeemed the world.
My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate,
it was my sins that condemned you to die,
I beseech you by the merits of this sorrow
ful journey, to assist my soul in its journey
towards eternity.
I love you, my beloved Jesus; I love
you more than myself. I repent with my
whole heart for having offended you. Never
permit me to separate myself from you
again. Grant that I may love you always;
and then do with me what you will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
2. Jesus is made to bear his Cross.
We adore you, etc.
My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all
the tribulations you have destined for me
until death. I beseech you, by the merits
of the pain you suffered in carrying your
cross, to give me the necessary help to
carry mine with perfect patience and res-
ignation.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.. 3. Jesus falls the first time.
We adore you, etc.
My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight
of the cross, but my sins, which has made
you suffer so much pain. Ah, by the mer-
its of this first fall, deliver me from the
misfortune of falling into mortal sin. 4. Jesus meets his afflicted Mother.
We adore you, etc.
My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow
you experienced in this meeting, grant
me the grace of a truly devoted love for
your most holy Mother. And you, my
queen, who was overwhelmed with sor-
row, obtain for me, by your intercession, a
continual and tender remembrance of the
Passion of your son.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
5. The Cyrenean helps Jesus to carry
his Cross.
We adore you, etc.
My most beloved Jesus, I will not
refuse the cross, but accept it and em- brace it as the Cyrenean did. I accept in
particular the death you have destined for
me, with all the pains that may accom-
pany it. I unite it to your death; I offer it to
you. You have died for love of me; I will
die for love of you. Help me by your grace.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
We adore you, etc.
My most beloved Jesus, your face was
beautiful before, but as you walked to
Calvary, it lost all its beauty, and wounds
and blood disfigured it. Alas! my soul also
was once beautiful, when it received your
grace in baptism; but I have disfigured it
by my sins. You alone, my Redeemer, can
restore it to its former beauty. Do this, by
your Passion, O Jesus.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
7. Jesus falls the second time.
We adore you, etc.
My most gentle Jesus, how many
times you have pardoned me, and how
many times I have fallen again, and be- gun again to offend you! Oh! by the merits
of this new fall, give me the necessary
helps to persevere in your grace until
death. Grant that in all temptations which
assail me, I may always commend myself
to you.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
8. Jesus speaks to the women of
Jerusalem
We adore you, etc.
My Jesus, laden with sorrow, I weep
for the offences I have committed against
you, because of the pains they have de-
served, and still more because of the dis-
pleasure they have caused you, who has
loved me so much. It is your love, more
than the fear of hell, which causes me to
weep for my sins.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
9. Jesus falls the third time.
We adore you, etc.
Ah! my outraged Jesus, by the merits
of the weakness you suffered in going to
Calvary, give me the strength to conquer. all human respect, and all my wicked
passions, which have led me to despise
your friendship.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments.
We adore you, etc.
My innocent Jesus, by the merits of
the torment you felt, help me to strip my-
self of all affection to things of earth, in
order that I may place all my love in you,
who are so worthy of my love.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross.
We adore you, etc.
My Jesus, loaded with contempt, nail
my heart to your feet, so that it may ever
remain there to love you, and never quit
you again.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
12. Jesus dies on the Cross.
We adore you, etc.
O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the cross on which you died for love of me. I
have merited by my sins to die a miser-
able death. But your death is my hope.
Ah, by the merits of your death, give me
grace to die, embracing your feet and
burning with love for you. I commit my
soul into your hands.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross.
We adore you, etc.
O Mother of sorrow, for the love of
your Son, accept me for your servant, and
pray for me. And you, my Redeemer, since
you have died for me, permit me to love
you; for I wish but you, and nothing more.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
14. Jesus is placed in the Sepulchre.
We adore you, etc.
Ah! my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone
that encloses you. But you rose again on
the third day. I beseech you, by your res-
urrection, make me rise glorious with you
at the last day, to be always united with
you in heaven, to praise and love you
forever. Our Father Hail Mary Glory be in the end say one Our Father Hail Mary Glory be for the intention of the Holy Father.
Let Nothing Disturb You
Let nothing disturb you; nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Nothing is wanting to him who possesses God. God alone suffices.