THE WAY OF THE CROSS Especially Printed in Large Type For the Use of the Religious and Clergy Franciscan Text ARRANGED FOR CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER Way Of The Cross Book for the use of the LAITY corresponding to this MASTER is Franciscan Text No. 13. — See Illustration on back Cover — ^il|il ohstat. Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D. Censor Librornm. (3lntpriniatur. t Francis J. Spellman, Archbishop of New York New York January 27, 1941 Copyright 1941 - Catholic Book Publishing Co. United States & Canada Printed in U.S.A. This Master Book No. 33—for the use of the Clergy and Companion Book for the use of the Laity No. 13 may be obtained from: —Your Catholic Church Goods Dealer No. 33 The FOURTEEN STATIONS of the with THE MEDITATIONS FRANCISCAN TEXT Arranged for Congregational Prayer (For the use of the Laity, use Franciscan Text, Book No. 13.) preparatory Prayer O MOST merciful Jesus! * With a contrite heart * and a penitent spirit, * I bow down * in profound humility * before Thy Divine Majesty. I adore Thee * as my Supreme Lord and Master; * I believe in Thee, * I hope in Thee, * I love Thee above all things. * I am heartily sorry * for having offended Thee, * my supreme and only God. I resolve * to amend my life; * and although I am unworthy to obtain mercy, yet the sight * of Thy holy Cross, * on which Thou didst die, * inspires me with hope * and consolation. * I will, therefore, * meditate on Thy sufferings, * and visit the stations * of Thy bitter Passion * in company * with Thy sorrowful Mother * and my Guardian Angel, * with the intention * of promoting Thy honour * and saving my soul. I desire to gain * all the indulgences * granted for this holy exercise * for myself * and for the suffering souls in purgatory. * 0 merciful Redeemer, * Who hast said: * ^'And I, * if I be lifted from earth, * will draw all things * to myself,’^ * draw my heart * and my love * to Thee, * that I may perform this devotion * as perfectly as possible, * and that I may live * and die * in union with Thee. * Amen. FIRST STATION Jesus is Condemned to Death y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION Jesus, most innocent, who neither did nor could commit a sin, was condemned to death, and moreover, to the most ignominious death of the cross. To remain a friend of Caesar, Pilate delivered Him into the hands of His ene- mies. A fearful crime — to condemn Innocence to death, and to offend God, in order not to displease men. Prayer 0 INNOCENT Jesus! ^ Having sinned, * I am guilty * of eternal death, * but Thou dost willingly accept * the unjust sentence of death, * that I might live. * For whom, then, * shall I henceforth live, * if not for Thee, * my Lord? * Should I desire * to please men, * I could not be Thy servant. * Let me, therefore, rather dis- please men, * and all the world, * than not please Thee, * 0 Jesus. Our Father, Sec. Hail Mary, Scc. V. Lord Jesus, crucified: R. Have mercy on us! At the Cross her station keeping. Stood the mournful Mother weeping. Close to Jesus to the last. SECOND STATION Jesus Carries His Cross y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION When OUT' divine Saviour beheld the cross, He most willingly stretched out His bleeding arms, lovingly em- braced it, and tenderly kissed it and, placing it on His bruised shoulders. He, although almost exhausted, joyfully carried it. Prayer O MY Jesus! * I cannot be Thy friend * and follower, ^ If I refuse * to carry the Cross. * 0 dearly beloved Cross! * I embrace thee, * I kiss thee, * I joyfully accept thee * from the hands of my God. * Far be it from me * to glory in any- thing, ^ save in the Cross * of my Lord * and Redeemer. * By it * the world * shall be crucified to me, * and I to the world, * that I may be Thine for ever. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. V. Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! Through her heart. His sorrow sharing. All His bitter anguish bearing, Lo ! the piercing sword had passed ! THIRD STATION Jesus Falls the First Time y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION Our dear Saviour carrying the cross was so weakened by its heavy weight, as to fall exhausted to the ground. Our sins and misdeeds were the heavy burden which oppressed Him; the cross was to Him light and sweet, but our sins were galling and insupportable. Prayer O MY Jesus! * Thou didst bear my burden * and the heavy weight * of my sins. * Should I not then * bear, in union with Thee, * my easy burden of suffering, * and accept the sweet yoke * of Thy commandments? * Thy yoke is sweet * and Thy burden is light: * I therefore * willingly accept it, * and I will take up my Cross * and follow Thee. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c, V. Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! 0, how sad, and sore distressed. Now was she, that Mother Blessed Of the sole-begotten One. FOURTH STATION Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION How painful and how sad it must have been for Mary, the sorrowful Mother, to behold her beloved Son laden with the burden of the cross! What unspeakable pangs her most tender heart experienced! How earnestly did she desire to die in place of Jesus, or at least with Him! Im- plore this sorrowfid Mother that she assist you in the hour of your death. Prayer 0 JESUS! * 0 Mary! * I am the cause * of the great and manifold pains * which pierce * your loving hearts. 0 that also my heart * would feel and experience * at least some * of your suf- ferings! * 0 Mother of Sorrows! * Let me par- ticipate * in the sufferings which thou * and thy Son * endured for me, * and let me experience * thy sorrow, * that, afflicted with thee, * I may enjoy thy assistance in the hour * of my death. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. V, Lord Jesus, crucified: R. Have mercy on us! Woe-begone, with heart’s prostration Mother meek, the bitter Passion Saw she of her glorious Son. FIFTH STATION Simon Helps Jesus to Carry the Cross y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION Simon of Cyrene was compelled to help Jesus carry His cross, and Jesus accepted his assistance. How willingly would He also permit you to carry the cross: He calls, but you hear Him not: He invites, hut you decline. What a reproach to hear the cross reluctantly. Prayer 0 JESUS! * Whosoever does not take up * his cross * and follow Thee, * is not worthy of Thee. * Behold, * I join Thee ^ in the Way of Thy Cross : * I will be Thy assistant, * following Thy bloody footsteps, * that I may come to Thee * in eternal life. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. V. Lord Jesus, crucified: R. Have mercy on us! Who could mark, from tears refraining, Christ’s dear Mother uncomplaining. In so great a sorrow bowed? SIXTH STATION Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION Veronica, impelled by devotion and compassion, pre- sents her veil to Jesus to wipe His disfigured face. And Jesus imprints on it His holy countenance; a great recowr pense for so small a service. What return do you make to your Saviour for His great and manifold benefits? Prayer Most merciful Jesus! * What return * shall I make ^ for all the benefits * Thou didst bestow * upon me? * Behold, * I consecrate my- self * entirely to Thy service. * I offer ^ and con- secrate * to Thee ^ my heart: * imprint on it * Thy sacred image, * never again * to be effaced by sin. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c, V, Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! Who, unmoved, behold her languish. Underneath His cross of anguish, ’Mid the fierce, unpitying crowd? SEVENTH STATION Jesus Falls the Second Time y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION The suffering Jesus, under the weight of His cross, again falls to the ground; but His cruel executioners do not permit Him to rest a moment. Pushing and striking Him, they urge Him onward. It is the frequent repetition of our sins which oppresses Jesus, Witnessing this, how can 1 continue to sin? Prayer 0 JESUS, * Son of David, * have mercy on me! * Offer me * Thy helping hand, * and aid me, * that I may not fall again * into my former sins. * From this verymoment ^ I will earnestly strive * to reform; never more * will I sin! * Thou, 0 sole support * of the weak, * by Thy grace, * without which * I can do nothing, * strengthen me * to carry out faithfully * this my resolution. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c, V, Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! For His people’s sins rejected. She her Jesus, unprotected. Saw with thorns, with scourges rent. EIGHTH STATION The Women of Jerusalem Weep Over Jesus y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION These devoted women, moved by compassion, weep over the suffering Saviour, But He turns to them, saying: ‘‘Weep not for me, who am innocent; but weep for your- selves and for your children^ Weep thou also; for there is nothing more pleasing to our Lord, and nothing more profitable for thyself, than tears shed from contrition for thy sins. Prayer 0 JESUS! * Who shall give to my eyes * a tor- rent of tears, * that day and night * I may weep for my sins? * I beseech Thee, * through Thy bitter * and bloody tears, * to move my heart ^ by Thy divine grace, * so that from my eyes * tears may flow abundantly, * and that I may weep * all my days * over Thy sufferings, * and still more ^ over their cause, * my sins. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c, V. Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! Saw her Son from judgment taken. Her beloved in death forsaken Till His Spirit forth He sent. NINTH STATION Jesus Falls the Third Time y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION Jesus arriving exhausted at the foot of Calvary, falls for the third time to the ground. His love for us, how- ever, is not diminished, not extinguished. What a fearfully oppressive burden our sins must be to cause Jesus to fall so often! Had He, however, not taken them upon Himself, they would have plunged us into the abyss of hell. Prayer Most merciful Jesus! * I return Thee * in- finite thanks * for not permitting me to continue in sin * and to fall, * as I have so often deserved, * into the depths of hell. * Enkindle in me * an earnest desire * of amendment; * let me never again relapse, * but vouchsafe me * the grace to persevere * in penance * to the end of my life. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, See. Y. Lord Jesus, crucified: R. Have mercy on us! Fount of love and holy sorrow. Mother, may my spirit borrow Somewhat of thy woe profound. TENTH STATION Jesus is Stripped of His Garments y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION When our Saviour had arrived on Calvary He was cruelly despoiled of His garments. How painfid must this have beeUy because they adhered to His wounded and torn bodyy and with them parts of His bloody skin were re- moved! All the wounds of Jesus are renewed, Jesus is despoiled of His garments that He might die possessed of nothing; how happy will I also die after laying aside my former self with all evil desires and sinful inclinations! Prayer I NDUCE me, * 0 Jesus! * to lay aside * my for- mer self * and to be renewed * according to Thy will * and desire. ^ I will not spare myself, * however painful ^ this should be for me; * de- spoiled of things temporal, * of my own will, * I desire to die, * in order to live * for Thee forever. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c, y. Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! Unto Christ, with, pure emotion. Raise my contrite hearths devotion. Love to read in every wound. ELEVENTH STATION Jesus is Nailed to the Cross V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R, Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION Jesus, being stripped of His garments, was violently thrown upon the cross, and His hands and feet were most cruelly nailed thereto. In such excruciating pains He re- mained silent, because it pleased His heavenly Father, He suffered patienty, because He suffered for me. How do I act in sufferings and in troubles? How fretful and im- patient, how full of complaints I am! Prayer 0 JESUS! * gracious Lamb of God! * I re- nounce for ever my impatience. * Crucify, * 0 Lord, * my flesh ^ and its concupiscences; scourge, * scathe, * and punish me * in this world; * do but spare me * in the next. * I commit my destiny * to Thee, * resigning myself * to Thy holy will: * may it be done * in all things! Our Father, Sec, Hail Mary, Sec, V, Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! Those five wounds on Jesus smitten. Mother ! in my heart be written. Deep as in thine own they be. TWELFTH STATION Jesus is Raised Upon the Cross, and Dies y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the Behold Jesus crucified! Behold His wounds, received for the love of you! His whole appearance betokens love: His head is bent to kiss you; His arms are extended to embrace you; His Heart is open to receive you, 0 super-abundance of love! Jesus, the Son of God, dies upon the cross, that man may live and be delivered from everlasting death. MOST amiable Jesus! * Who will grant me * that I may die * for love of Thee? * I will endeavor *^at least * to die to the world. * How must I regard * the world and its vanities, * when I behold Thee * hanging on the Cross, * covered with wounds? * 0 Jesus, * receive me * into Thy wounded Heart: * I belong entirely to Thee; * for Thee alone * do I desire to live * and to die. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. V. Lord Jesus, crucified: R. Have mercy on us! world. MEDITATION Prayer Thou, my Saviour’s Cross who bearest. Thou thy Son’s rebuke who sharest. Let me share them both with Thee ! THIRTEENTH STATION Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross F. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION Jesus did not descend from the cross, but remained on it until He died. And when taken down from it, He, in death as in life, rested on the bosom of His Mother, Per- severe in your resolutions of reform, and do not part from the cross: he who persevereth to the end shall be saved. Consider how pure the heart should, be that receives the body and blood of Christ in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar, Prayer O LORD Jesus! * Thy lifeless body, * mangled and torn, * found a worthy resting place on the bosom * of Thy Virgin Mother. * Have I not often * compelled Thee * to dwell in my heart, * full of sin * and impurity * as it was? * Create in me * a new heart, * that I may worthily receive * Thy most sacred body * in Holy Communion, * and that Thou mayest remain in me * and I in Thee, * for all eternity. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c, V, Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! In the Passion of my Maker, Be my sinful soul partaker. Weep till death, and keep with thee. FOURTEENTH STATION Jesus is Laid in the Sepulchre y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. MEDITATION The body of Jesus is interred in a stranger^s sepulchre. He who in this world had not whereupon to rest His head, would not even have a grave of His own, because He was not of this world. You, who are so attached to the world, henceforth despise it, that you may not perish with it. Prayer 0 JESUS! Thou hast set me * apart from the world: * what, then, ^ shall I seek therein? * Thou hast created me * for heaven: * what, then, * have I to do * with this world? * Depart from me, * deceitful world, * with thy vanities! * Henceforth, * I will follow ^ the Way of the Cross, * traced out for me * by my Redeemer, * and journey onward * to my heavenly home, * there to dwell * forever and ever. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c, V, Lord Jesus, crucified: R, Have mercy on us! Mine with Thee be that sad station, There to watch the great Salvation Wrought upon th^ atoning Tree. Conclujfion ALMIGHTY and Eternal God! * Merci- Father! * Who hast given * to the human race * Thy beloved Son * as an ex- ample of humility, * obedience, * and pa- tience, * to precede us * on the way of life, * bearing the Cross; * graciously grant us, * that we, * inflamed by His inflnite love, may take up * the sweet yoke of His Gospel * together with * the mortiflcation of the Cross, * and follow Him * as His true dis- ciples, * so that we shall one day * gloriously rise with Him * and joyfully hear the flnal sentence: * “Come, ye blessed ofMy Father, * and possess the kingdom * which was pre- pared for you * from the beginning,” * where Thou reignest * with the Son * and the Holy Ghost, * and where * we hope to reign * with Thee, * world without end. * Amen. New ‘‘Way of the Cross” tvith Cover and Stations printed in Beautiful Colors Arranged for Congregational Prayer Printed in Clear and Legible Type No. 1 Size 3^/4 X — Ideal Size for Church Book Rack — Handy Vest Pocket and Ladies’ Purse Size •For the Use of the Laity—