Wooden Casket: Scenes from the Life of Christ · Unknown artist
Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
The Last Supper, with a view of Christ in the Garden of Olives through the doorway at the back · Andrea Boscoli
Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me. And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done. And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me.
The Scourging at the Pillar
John 19:1; Matthew 27:26 (Douay-Rheims)
Plate Depicting Christ’s Passion · Painter of the Royal Procession
Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified.
The Crowning with Thorns
Matthew 27:27-31 (Douay-Rheims)
Preparation for the Crucifixion · Unknown artist
Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band; And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head. And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify him.
The Carrying of the Cross
John 19:16-17; Luke 23:26-27 (Douay-Rheims)
Christ Carrying the Cross · Sebastiano del Piombo
Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him forth. And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him.
The Crucifixion and Death
Luke 23:33-46 (Douay-Rheims)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John · Hendrick ter Brugghen
And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there; and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding, and the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying: If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise. And it was almost the sixth hour; and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.
The Agony in the Garden
Matthew 26:36-46 (Douay-Rheims)
The Last Supper, with a view of Christ in the Garden of Olives through the doorway at the back · Andrea Boscoli
Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me. And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done. And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me.
The Scourging at the Pillar
John 19:1; Matthew 27:26 (Douay-Rheims)
Plate Depicting Christ’s Passion · Painter of the Royal Procession
Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified.
The Crowning with Thorns
Matthew 27:27-31 (Douay-Rheims)
Preparation for the Crucifixion · Unknown artist
Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band; And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head. And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify him.
The Carrying of the Cross
John 19:16-17; Luke 23:26-27 (Douay-Rheims)
Christ Carrying the Cross · Sebastiano del Piombo
Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him forth. And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him.
The Crucifixion and Death
Luke 23:33-46 (Douay-Rheims)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John · Hendrick ter Brugghen
And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there; and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding, and the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying: If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise. And it was almost the sixth hour; and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.
Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rosary
The First Sorrow of Mary: The Prophecy of Simeon
Luke 2:34-35
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, and the Baptism of Christ · Frantz Clein
…Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The Second Sorrow of Mary: The Flight Into Egypt
Matthew 2:13-14
The Holy Family in Egypt · Albrecht Dürer
When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.
The Third Sorrow of Mary: Jesus is Lost in the Temple
Luke 2:43-45
Enthroned Virgin with the Writing Christ Child · Unknown artist
After they had completed their days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
The Fourth Sorrow of Mary: Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Luke 23:27-29
Christ Carrying the Cross · Master of the Worcester Carrying of the Cross
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’”
The Fifth Sorrow of Mary: Standing at the Foot of the Cross
John 19:25-27
The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John · Hendrick ter Brugghen
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
The Sixth Sorrow of Mary: Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross
John 19:32-34
Deposition of Christ, ‘Florence Pietà’ · Michelangelo Buonarroti
…the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
The Seventh Sorrow of Mary: Jesus is Buried in the Garden Tomb
John 19:41-42
The Entombment · Moretto da Brescia (Alessandro Bonvicino)
…in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.
The First Sorrow of Mary: The Prophecy of Simeon
Luke 2:34-35
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, and the Baptism of Christ · Frantz Clein
…Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The Second Sorrow of Mary: The Flight Into Egypt
Matthew 2:13-14
The Holy Family in Egypt · Albrecht Dürer
When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.
The Third Sorrow of Mary: Jesus is Lost in the Temple
Luke 2:43-45
Enthroned Virgin with the Writing Christ Child · Unknown artist
After they had completed their days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
The Fourth Sorrow of Mary: Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Luke 23:27-29
Christ Carrying the Cross · Master of the Worcester Carrying of the Cross
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’”
The Fifth Sorrow of Mary: Standing at the Foot of the Cross
John 19:25-27
The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John · Hendrick ter Brugghen
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
The Sixth Sorrow of Mary: Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross
John 19:32-34
Deposition of Christ, ‘Florence Pietà’ · Michelangelo Buonarroti
…the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
The Seventh Sorrow of Mary: Jesus is Buried in the Garden Tomb
John 19:41-42
The Entombment · Moretto da Brescia (Alessandro Bonvicino)
…in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.
Stations of the Cross
Station 1 — Jesus is Condemned to Death
Pilate saith: "Behold the Man." when the chief priests and the servants had seen him, they cried out saying: "Crucify Him, crucify Him. He calleth Himself the Son of God. He hath become the censurer of our thoughts. He is grevious unto us, even to behold, for His life is not like other men's, and He abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness…"
My people, what have I done to thee? Or in what have I grieved thee? Behold I have planted thee as my fairest vine, and thou hast become very bitter to Me. I went before thee in a pillar of cloud
and thou hast brought Me before Pilate's judgement seat.
He was offered because it was His own will, and He opened not His mouth. He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter and shall be dumb as a lamb before His shearer, and He shall not open His mouth. He is cut off out of the land of the living: for the wickedness of His people He was struck.
Station 2 — Jesus Is Made to Carry His Cross
Then Pilate delivered Him to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led Him forth. And bearing His own cross, He went forth to the place which is called Calvary.
My people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I grieved thee? I was thy guide through the desert for forty years, and fed thee with manna and brought thee into an excellent land, and thou hast prepared a cross for thy Savior?
He hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows; and we have thought Him as it were a leper and as one struck by God and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions: He was bruised for our sins, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Station 3 — Jesus Falls the First Time
He shall lay down his life for sin, He shall see a long-lived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in His hand. But the Lord is now pleased to bruise him in infirmity.
O Father, I am afflicted and greatly humbled, I cry aloud because of the sorrow of My Heart. Lord, all My longing is known to Thee, and My sighs are not hidden from Thee. My Heart beats furiously, My strength is gone, Mine eyes are dim and dull with weeping and pain. My friends and my companions come within sight of Me, but stand aloof, and my neighbors keep far from
me.
The arrows of Thy judgement have sunk deep in Me, and Thy hand is pressing heavily upon Me. There is no soundness in My body because of Thine anger. The iniquities of My people, like a flood, have overwhelmed Me; like a crushing burden they weigh upon Me.
Station 4 — Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother
Behold, thy Son is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign of contradiction. And thine own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.
Weeping I have wept in the night, and my tears are on my cheeks, because the comforter, the relief of my soul, is taken from me. I have spread forth my hands, there is none to comfort me. I called for my friends and they deceived me, they have become my enemies; my priests and my
ancients have rejoiced in my evil. My child is desolate and the enemy hath prevailed. O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.
Ah, Mother! fount of love, make me feel the force of thy sorrow, make me weep with thee: Who is there could contemplate the Mother and the Son in sorrow, and not join his own with theirs?6
Station 5 — Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross
As they led Him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.
Furious enemies are around Me like a herd of oxen, they hem Me like fierce bulls. I am drained like water, My bones are weakened, My heart is like melting wax in My breast.
Who will arise as My defender against the wicked? Who will stand by Me against the workers of
iniquity? My heart hath endured reproach and misery. I looked for one that would have pity on Me, but there was no man, and for one that would console Me, and I found none.
Station 6 — Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
There is no beauty in Him, nor comeliness, a worm, not a man, the object of men's contempt. We have seen Him and there is no sightliness, that we should be desirous of Him. Despised, rejected, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. His visage was inglorious among men and His form among the sons of men. Whereupon we esteemed Him not.
All ye who seek Christ, lift up your eyes on high, to behold a token of His eternal glory. O brightness of the Father's glory, incomprehensible love, by Thy presence bestow upon us the
fullness of Thy light.
Thou art beautiful above the sons of men, grace is poured abroad in Thy lips. "My heart hath uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King." He is the brightness of eternal light, the unspotted mirror, and the image of His goodness.
Station 7 — Jesus Falls the Second Time
I am afflicted and greatly humbled, I roared with the groaning of My heart. My heart is troubled, My strength hath left Me, and the light of My eyes itself is not with Me.
Thy burning wrath has swept over Me, Thy terrors have confounded Me. They have encompassed Me like water all day long, closing around on every side. Thou hast put far from Me a friend and neighbor, leaving darkness as My companion.
In Thee, O Lord! I have hoped, thou wilt hear Me, O Lord My God! For I am on the verge of ruin, and my sorrow is continually before Me. Forsake Me not, O Lord My God, do not Thou depart from Me. Attend unto My help, O Lord, the God of My salvation.
Station 8 — The Women of Jerusalem Weep Over Jesus
There followed Him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him. Jesus turning to them, said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."
My eyes are consumed with weeping, My entrails boil, My liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of My people. The children say to their mothers: "Where is what and wine?" as they faint away as wounded in the streets of the city, as they breathe out their souls in
the bosoms of their mothers. A voice was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewails her children and would not be comforted, because they are not.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thine enemies shall beat thee to the ground, and thy children who are in thee, because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation.
Station 9 — Jesus Falls the Third Time
The Lord hath made a vintage of Me, as He spoke in the day of His fierce anger. From above He hath sent fire into My bones and hath chastised Me, He hath spread a net for My feet, He hath turned Me back, he hath made Me desolate, wasted with sorrow all the day long.
O Lord, Thou hast placed Me in the nethermost pit, in dark places, and in the shadow of death. Thy wrath lies heavily upon Me, all Thy billows of fury sweep over Me. Thou hast removed Mine acquaintances far from Me, they regard Me as an abomination, I am imprisoned and
cannot escape.
The iniquities of My people are put upon My neck. My strength is weakened. The Lord hath delivered Me into a hand out of which I am not able to rise.
Station 10 — Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
Who is this that cometh from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bosra, this beautiful one arrayed in majesty, walking in the greatness of His strength? It is I, who announce vindication, I who am mighty to save. Why is then Thine apparel red and Thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone, and of My people there was no one with Me. The blood spurted on My garments, all My apparel I stained, for My year of redemption was at hand.
O My people, for thy sake I have borne reproach, shame hath covered My face. My foes gaze on Me and examine Me with malicious delight. They are dividing among them My clothes, and upon My vesture they cast lots.
Station 11 — Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
When they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him there, and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
All who pass by and see Me deride Me; they mock Me in their words, they wag their heads at Me. Like a ravening and roaring lion, they open their mouth to devour Me: He hoped in the Lord, let the Lord come to His rescue; let the Lord free him, if He cares for Him!...
My strength is dried up, My tongue hath cleaved to My jaws, and Thou hast brought Me down to the dust of death. For enemies, like a pack of dogs, have encircled Me, the council of the wicked hath besieged Me. They have pierced My hands and My feet. They have numbered all My bones.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Station 12 — Jesus Is Raised Upon the Cross and Dies
It was almost the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the veil of the Temple was rent in tow from the top to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened…And Jesus cried out with a loud voice:
Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? O My God, My God, look upon Me, why hast Thou forsaken Me? I cry by day, and Thou dost not answer, I cry in the night-time and no relief comes to Me…
Have Mercy on Me, O Lord. My eyes are troubled in Thy wrath, My soul and My bowels. My strength is giving way under misery, and My whole body is shaken. I am forgotten like one that is dead, I am cast aside like a broken vessel.
It is consummated. Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. And Jesus, bowing His head, gave up the ghost.
Station 13 — Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross and Placed in the Arms of His Mother
Let the evening come suddenly upon the whole heavens, and let the astonished sun dispatch the day, while we contemplate the spectacle of the cruel death and the divine tragedy.
My people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I grieved thee? I opened a way through the sea before thee, and thou hast opened My side with a spear.
With what a flood of tears, with what sorrow is the grief-stricken Virgin Mother overwhelmed,
while she beholds her son lying in her arms after being taken down from the bloody Tree! Full of sorrow she bathes with her tears His sweet lips, His gentle breast, His most dear side, His pierced right hand, His wounded left, and His feet red with blood.
O Mother, we beseech thee by these tears, by the cruel death of thy Son, and by the purple of His wounds, plant deep in our hearts the grief of thine own heart!15
Station 14 — Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher
There was in the place where He was crucified a garden: and in the garden a new sepulcher. There, because of the Passover of the Jews, they laid Jesus.
This day shall be a memorial for you. This is the Passage of the Lord. I will execute judgment, for I am the Lord. And this Blood shall be unto you a sign, and I shall see the Blood and shall pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I shall strike the land of Egypt.
Behold in peace is My bitterness transformed. Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, nor wilt Thou give Thy holy one to see corruption. Hell shall not confess to Thee, neither shall death praise Thee, nor shall they that go down into the abyss look for Thy truth. The living, the living shall give praise to Thee, as I do this day.
Blessing and honor, glory, and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, Who hath redeemed us to God by His blood, for ever and ever. Amen.
Station 1 — Jesus is Condemned to Death
Pilate saith: "Behold the Man." when the chief priests and the servants had seen him, they cried out saying: "Crucify Him, crucify Him. He calleth Himself the Son of God. He hath become the censurer of our thoughts. He is grevious unto us, even to behold, for His life is not like other men's, and He abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness…"
My people, what have I done to thee? Or in what have I grieved thee? Behold I have planted thee as my fairest vine, and thou hast become very bitter to Me. I went before thee in a pillar of cloud
and thou hast brought Me before Pilate's judgement seat.
He was offered because it was His own will, and He opened not His mouth. He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter and shall be dumb as a lamb before His shearer, and He shall not open His mouth. He is cut off out of the land of the living: for the wickedness of His people He was struck.
Station 2 — Jesus Is Made to Carry His Cross
Then Pilate delivered Him to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led Him forth. And bearing His own cross, He went forth to the place which is called Calvary.
My people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I grieved thee? I was thy guide through the desert for forty years, and fed thee with manna and brought thee into an excellent land, and thou hast prepared a cross for thy Savior?
He hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows; and we have thought Him as it were a leper and as one struck by God and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions: He was bruised for our sins, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Station 3 — Jesus Falls the First Time
He shall lay down his life for sin, He shall see a long-lived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in His hand. But the Lord is now pleased to bruise him in infirmity.
O Father, I am afflicted and greatly humbled, I cry aloud because of the sorrow of My Heart. Lord, all My longing is known to Thee, and My sighs are not hidden from Thee. My Heart beats furiously, My strength is gone, Mine eyes are dim and dull with weeping and pain. My friends and my companions come within sight of Me, but stand aloof, and my neighbors keep far from
me.
The arrows of Thy judgement have sunk deep in Me, and Thy hand is pressing heavily upon Me. There is no soundness in My body because of Thine anger. The iniquities of My people, like a flood, have overwhelmed Me; like a crushing burden they weigh upon Me.
Station 4 — Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother
Behold, thy Son is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign of contradiction. And thine own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.
Weeping I have wept in the night, and my tears are on my cheeks, because the comforter, the relief of my soul, is taken from me. I have spread forth my hands, there is none to comfort me. I called for my friends and they deceived me, they have become my enemies; my priests and my
ancients have rejoiced in my evil. My child is desolate and the enemy hath prevailed. O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.
Ah, Mother! fount of love, make me feel the force of thy sorrow, make me weep with thee: Who is there could contemplate the Mother and the Son in sorrow, and not join his own with theirs?6
Station 5 — Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross
As they led Him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.
Furious enemies are around Me like a herd of oxen, they hem Me like fierce bulls. I am drained like water, My bones are weakened, My heart is like melting wax in My breast.
Who will arise as My defender against the wicked? Who will stand by Me against the workers of
iniquity? My heart hath endured reproach and misery. I looked for one that would have pity on Me, but there was no man, and for one that would console Me, and I found none.
Station 6 — Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
There is no beauty in Him, nor comeliness, a worm, not a man, the object of men's contempt. We have seen Him and there is no sightliness, that we should be desirous of Him. Despised, rejected, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. His visage was inglorious among men and His form among the sons of men. Whereupon we esteemed Him not.
All ye who seek Christ, lift up your eyes on high, to behold a token of His eternal glory. O brightness of the Father's glory, incomprehensible love, by Thy presence bestow upon us the
fullness of Thy light.
Thou art beautiful above the sons of men, grace is poured abroad in Thy lips. "My heart hath uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King." He is the brightness of eternal light, the unspotted mirror, and the image of His goodness.
Station 7 — Jesus Falls the Second Time
I am afflicted and greatly humbled, I roared with the groaning of My heart. My heart is troubled, My strength hath left Me, and the light of My eyes itself is not with Me.
Thy burning wrath has swept over Me, Thy terrors have confounded Me. They have encompassed Me like water all day long, closing around on every side. Thou hast put far from Me a friend and neighbor, leaving darkness as My companion.
In Thee, O Lord! I have hoped, thou wilt hear Me, O Lord My God! For I am on the verge of ruin, and my sorrow is continually before Me. Forsake Me not, O Lord My God, do not Thou depart from Me. Attend unto My help, O Lord, the God of My salvation.
Station 8 — The Women of Jerusalem Weep Over Jesus
There followed Him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him. Jesus turning to them, said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."
My eyes are consumed with weeping, My entrails boil, My liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of My people. The children say to their mothers: "Where is what and wine?" as they faint away as wounded in the streets of the city, as they breathe out their souls in
the bosoms of their mothers. A voice was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewails her children and would not be comforted, because they are not.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thine enemies shall beat thee to the ground, and thy children who are in thee, because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation.
Station 9 — Jesus Falls the Third Time
The Lord hath made a vintage of Me, as He spoke in the day of His fierce anger. From above He hath sent fire into My bones and hath chastised Me, He hath spread a net for My feet, He hath turned Me back, he hath made Me desolate, wasted with sorrow all the day long.
O Lord, Thou hast placed Me in the nethermost pit, in dark places, and in the shadow of death. Thy wrath lies heavily upon Me, all Thy billows of fury sweep over Me. Thou hast removed Mine acquaintances far from Me, they regard Me as an abomination, I am imprisoned and
cannot escape.
The iniquities of My people are put upon My neck. My strength is weakened. The Lord hath delivered Me into a hand out of which I am not able to rise.
Station 10 — Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
Who is this that cometh from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bosra, this beautiful one arrayed in majesty, walking in the greatness of His strength? It is I, who announce vindication, I who am mighty to save. Why is then Thine apparel red and Thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone, and of My people there was no one with Me. The blood spurted on My garments, all My apparel I stained, for My year of redemption was at hand.
O My people, for thy sake I have borne reproach, shame hath covered My face. My foes gaze on Me and examine Me with malicious delight. They are dividing among them My clothes, and upon My vesture they cast lots.
Station 11 — Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
When they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him there, and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
All who pass by and see Me deride Me; they mock Me in their words, they wag their heads at Me. Like a ravening and roaring lion, they open their mouth to devour Me: He hoped in the Lord, let the Lord come to His rescue; let the Lord free him, if He cares for Him!...
My strength is dried up, My tongue hath cleaved to My jaws, and Thou hast brought Me down to the dust of death. For enemies, like a pack of dogs, have encircled Me, the council of the wicked hath besieged Me. They have pierced My hands and My feet. They have numbered all My bones.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Station 12 — Jesus Is Raised Upon the Cross and Dies
It was almost the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the veil of the Temple was rent in tow from the top to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened…And Jesus cried out with a loud voice:
Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? O My God, My God, look upon Me, why hast Thou forsaken Me? I cry by day, and Thou dost not answer, I cry in the night-time and no relief comes to Me…
Have Mercy on Me, O Lord. My eyes are troubled in Thy wrath, My soul and My bowels. My strength is giving way under misery, and My whole body is shaken. I am forgotten like one that is dead, I am cast aside like a broken vessel.
It is consummated. Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. And Jesus, bowing His head, gave up the ghost.
Station 13 — Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross and Placed in the Arms of His Mother
Let the evening come suddenly upon the whole heavens, and let the astonished sun dispatch the day, while we contemplate the spectacle of the cruel death and the divine tragedy.
My people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I grieved thee? I opened a way through the sea before thee, and thou hast opened My side with a spear.
With what a flood of tears, with what sorrow is the grief-stricken Virgin Mother overwhelmed,
while she beholds her son lying in her arms after being taken down from the bloody Tree! Full of sorrow she bathes with her tears His sweet lips, His gentle breast, His most dear side, His pierced right hand, His wounded left, and His feet red with blood.
O Mother, we beseech thee by these tears, by the cruel death of thy Son, and by the purple of His wounds, plant deep in our hearts the grief of thine own heart!15
Station 14 — Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher
There was in the place where He was crucified a garden: and in the garden a new sepulcher. There, because of the Passover of the Jews, they laid Jesus.
This day shall be a memorial for you. This is the Passage of the Lord. I will execute judgment, for I am the Lord. And this Blood shall be unto you a sign, and I shall see the Blood and shall pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I shall strike the land of Egypt.
Behold in peace is My bitterness transformed. Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, nor wilt Thou give Thy holy one to see corruption. Hell shall not confess to Thee, neither shall death praise Thee, nor shall they that go down into the abyss look for Thy truth. The living, the living shall give praise to Thee, as I do this day.
Blessing and honor, glory, and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, Who hath redeemed us to God by His blood, for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner!
