STATIONS OF THE CROSS: OPENING PRAYER
Before the Altar

(Stand)

Leader:   In the name of the Father, and + of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All:  Amen

L:  Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."  (Matthew 16:24-25)

L:  Christ has humbled himself and become obedient to death:
All:  Even to death on a cross.

(Kneel/sit)

L:  Mercifully assist us:

All:  O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts whereby you have given us life everlasting;  through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
(Opening Prayer for Passion Sunday)

L:  Let us follow the way of the cross:
All:  In the name of our Lord.  Amen

(Stand and move to the first station, while singing the following to the tune "Stabat Mater")

          Jesus, Lord, condemned, defiled,
          May we too be meek and mild
          As we tread your holy Way.

          May we feel no bitter hatred,
          When we too are persecuted,
          Left alone to walk with you.

On to . THE FIRST STATION
Jesus Is Condemned to Death...

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

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