THE FOURTH STATION OF THE CROSS
Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

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L:  We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
     (Bow)
All:  By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

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L:  When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.    (John 19:26-27)

(Kneel/sit and pause for reflection)

L:  Then Simeon blessed them:

All:  And said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed -- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."    (Luke 2:34-35)

L:  Let us pray.  Father of mercies, a sword of grief pierced deep into the heart of Mary as she witnessed her Son's passion.  As we share in her sorrow by walking the way of sorrows, may we also share in the joy that is to come,  the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen

(Stand and move to the next station, singing:)

          Simon stopped in hesitation,
          Not foreseeing his proud station,
          Called to bear the cross of Christ.

On to THE FIFTH STATION
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross...

The Stations Of The Cross: . .

OPENING PRAYER
Before the Altar

THE FIRST STATION
Jesus Is Condemned to Death

THE SECOND STATION
Jesus Carries His Cross

THE THIRD STATION
Jesus Falls the First Time

THE FOURTH STATION
Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

THE FIFTH STATION
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

THE SIXTH STATION
A Woman Offers Comfort to Jesus

THE SEVENTH STATION
Jesus Falls a Second Time

THE EIGHTH STATION
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

THE NINTH STATION
Jesus Falls a Third Time

THE TENTH STATION
Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes

THE ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

THE TWELFTH STATION
Jesus Dies on the Cross

THE THIRTEENTH STATION
Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross

THE FOURTEENTH STATION
Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

Closing Prayer
Before the Altar