Via Crucis - The Way of the Cross

According to St. Alphonsus Liguori

From a "Station Book" we used at St. Bridget's grade school in north Minneapolis when I was a kid in the 50's. We had Stations every Friday afternoon in Lent, right after school; attendance was not optional. The book was first published in 1936; mine is the 33rd edition, 1953, and the text and illustrations are taken from it.

To be said kneeling at the altar:

Priest and people:

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 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.

Stand

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

or:

Stabat Mater dolorosa

Juxta Crucem lacrymosa

Dum pendebat Filius.

The cross bearer and acolytes with candles proceed to the first station.

Priest: The first station - Jesus is condemned to death

Genuflect

Priest: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

People: Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Stand

Priest: Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the Cross.

Kneel

People: My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins that condemned Thee to die. I beseech Thee by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey towards 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 wilt.

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .

Priest: Lord, Jesus crucified!

People: Have mercy on us:

Stand

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,

All His bitter anguish bearing,

Now at length the sword had passed.

or

Cujus animam gementem,

Contristatem et dolentem,

Pertransivit gladius.

The cross bearer and acolytes proceed to the second station.