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Good Friday 04/15/2022 |
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The Way of the Cross
Opening Devotions
Officiant: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Officiant: Lord, have mercy.
People: Christ, have mercy.
Officiant: Lord, have mercy.
Officiant and People: Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen
Officiant: We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ:
People: In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence)
Assist us mercifully with your help, 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 and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All: At the cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful mother weeping,
Where he hung, her dying lord.
First Station
Officiant: Jesus is condemned to death
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: Pilate said to him: "Do you know that I have power to release you and power to condemn you?" Jesus answered: " You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above," Then said our good Lord Jesus to me: "Are you well satisfied with my suffering for you?" And I said: "Yes, good Lord, in your mercy. Yes, good Lord, may you be blessed forever!: Then said Jesus, our kind Lord, may you be blessed forever!" Then said Jesus, our kind Lord: If you are satisfied, I am satisfied. It is a joy, a bliss and an endless delight to me that I suffered my passion for you. And if it were needful or possible that I should suffer more: I would suffer more."
People: God did not spare his own Son:
Officiant: But delivered him up for us all. Let us pray. (Silence)
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Son, our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
For her soul of joy bereaved,
Bowed with anguish, deeply grieved,
Felt the sharp and piercing sword.
Second Station
Officiant: Jesus takes up his Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: So they took Jesus to the place called the place of the skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. And I saw that the love which made him suffer passes as for all his pains as heaven is above earth. For his passion was a noble, precious and worshipful deed done in time by the working of love. And that love was without beginning, is now, and shall be forever.
Officiant: The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all:
People: For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
O how sad and sore distressed
Now was she, that mother blessed
Of the sole-begotten One.
Officiant: Jesus takes up his Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: So they took Jesus to the place called the place of the skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. And I saw that the love which made him suffer passes as for all his pains as heaven is above earth. For his passion was a noble, precious and worshipful deed done in time by the working of love. And that love was without beginning, is now, and shall be forever.
Officiant: The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all:
People: For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
O how sad and sore distressed
Now was she, that mother blessed
Of the sole-begotten One.
Third Station
Officiant: Jesus falls the first time
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: Although he was a Son, he learned to obey through suffering, that being made perfect he might become the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. When Adam fell, God's Son fell, as God's Son chose not to be parted from Adam. For Adam signifies to my understanding every man. Adam fell from life to death, into the vale of this wretched world and after that into hell: God's Son fell, with Adam, into the vale of the maiden's womb, who was the fairest daughter of Adam; and for this end, to excuse Adam from blame in heaven and on earth.
Officiant: Surely he has borne our griefs:
People: And carried our sorrows.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Deep the woe of her affliction,
When she saw the crucifixion
Of her ever-glorious Son.
Officiant: Jesus falls the first time
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: Although he was a Son, he learned to obey through suffering, that being made perfect he might become the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. When Adam fell, God's Son fell, as God's Son chose not to be parted from Adam. For Adam signifies to my understanding every man. Adam fell from life to death, into the vale of this wretched world and after that into hell: God's Son fell, with Adam, into the vale of the maiden's womb, who was the fairest daughter of Adam; and for this end, to excuse Adam from blame in heaven and on earth.
Officiant: Surely he has borne our griefs:
People: And carried our sorrows.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Deep the woe of her affliction,
When she saw the crucifixion
Of her ever-glorious Son.
Fourth Station
Officiant: Jesus meets his afflicted mother
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: My Son, have pity on me, I carried you nine months in the womb, and nursed you for three years, and have reared you and brought you up. I beseech you, my Child, look at the heavens and the earth and see everything that is in them and know that it was God who made them all out of nothing. Accept death now so that in God's mercy I may receive you back with your brothers. Here I saw a part of the compassion of Our Lady Saint Mary: for Christ and she were so made one in love, that the greatness of her loving was the cause of the greatness of her pain. In this, I saw an example of the natural love, strengthened by grace, that creatures have for him; which kind love was most fully and overpassingly shown in his sweet Mother. For ever the higher, the mightier, the sweeter that the love be, the more sorrow it is to the lover to see that body in pain that is so loved.
Officiant: A sword will pierce your own soul also:
People: And fill your heart with bitter pain..
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, who willed that in the passion of your Son a sword of grief should pierce the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother: Mercifully grant that your Church, having shared with her in his passion, may be made worthy to share in the joys of his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing,
Pierced by anguish so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep?
Officiant: Jesus meets his afflicted mother
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: My Son, have pity on me, I carried you nine months in the womb, and nursed you for three years, and have reared you and brought you up. I beseech you, my Child, look at the heavens and the earth and see everything that is in them and know that it was God who made them all out of nothing. Accept death now so that in God's mercy I may receive you back with your brothers. Here I saw a part of the compassion of Our Lady Saint Mary: for Christ and she were so made one in love, that the greatness of her loving was the cause of the greatness of her pain. In this, I saw an example of the natural love, strengthened by grace, that creatures have for him; which kind love was most fully and overpassingly shown in his sweet Mother. For ever the higher, the mightier, the sweeter that the love be, the more sorrow it is to the lover to see that body in pain that is so loved.
Officiant: A sword will pierce your own soul also:
People: And fill your heart with bitter pain..
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, who willed that in the passion of your Son a sword of grief should pierce the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother: Mercifully grant that your Church, having shared with her in his passion, may be made worthy to share in the joys of his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing,
Pierced by anguish so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep?
Fifth Station
Officiant: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: And as they led Jesus away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. And all his disciples and all his true lovers then suffered anguish more than their own bodily dying. For I am sure by my own feelings that the least of them loved him so far above himself, that it passes beyond the power of my telling. Here I saw a great oneness between Christ and us, to my understanding, for when he is in pain we are in pain.
Officiant: Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me:
People: Cannot be my disciple.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Who, on Christ's dear mother thinking,
Such a cup of sorrow drinking,
Would not share her sorrows deep?
Officiant: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: And as they led Jesus away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. And all his disciples and all his true lovers then suffered anguish more than their own bodily dying. For I am sure by my own feelings that the least of them loved him so far above himself, that it passes beyond the power of my telling. Here I saw a great oneness between Christ and us, to my understanding, for when he is in pain we are in pain.
Officiant: Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me:
People: Cannot be my disciple.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Who, on Christ's dear mother thinking,
Such a cup of sorrow drinking,
Would not share her sorrows deep?
Sixth Station
Officiant: Veronica touches the face of Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and neglected, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces. And I saw in the face of the crucifix that hung before me a part of his passion, and it made me think of the holy veil of Veronica which is at Rome, which he portrayed with his own blessed face when he bore his hard passion. Of the brownness and blackness and ruefulness of this image many have marveled how it may be, since he portrayed it with his own blessed face, who is the fairness of heaven and the flower of earth and the fruit of the Maiden's womb. But it was shown me that it was the image and likeness of our foul black deed's shame in which our fair bright blessed Lord God was hid. Blessed may he be.
Officiant: Restore us, O Lord God of hosts:
People: Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
For his people's sins chastised,
She beheld her Son despised,
Scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined.
Officiant: Veronica touches the face of Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and neglected, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces. And I saw in the face of the crucifix that hung before me a part of his passion, and it made me think of the holy veil of Veronica which is at Rome, which he portrayed with his own blessed face when he bore his hard passion. Of the brownness and blackness and ruefulness of this image many have marveled how it may be, since he portrayed it with his own blessed face, who is the fairness of heaven and the flower of earth and the fruit of the Maiden's womb. But it was shown me that it was the image and likeness of our foul black deed's shame in which our fair bright blessed Lord God was hid. Blessed may he be.
Officiant: Restore us, O Lord God of hosts:
People: Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
For his people's sins chastised,
She beheld her Son despised,
Scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined.
Seventh Station
Officiant: Jesus falls a second time
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons and daughters of glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. And in this woe, he suffered seven great pains. The first was the sore bruising he took from his falling, which was to him a pain proper to his human condition; the second was the heaviness of his body; the third was the feebleness following from these two; the fourth that he was blinded in his reason and stunned in his mind, to such length that he had almost forgotten his own love; the fifth was that he might not rise; the sixth was most marvelous to me, that he lay all alone. and I saw none to help him; and the seventh was that the place where he lay was hard and grievous. And I marveled how this servant might meekly suffer there all his woe.
Officiant: But as for me, I am a worm and no man:
People: Scorned by all and despised by the people.
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Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Saw him then from judgment taken,
And in death by all forsaken,
Till his spirit he resigned.
Officiant: Jesus falls a second time
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons and daughters of glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. And in this woe, he suffered seven great pains. The first was the sore bruising he took from his falling, which was to him a pain proper to his human condition; the second was the heaviness of his body; the third was the feebleness following from these two; the fourth that he was blinded in his reason and stunned in his mind, to such length that he had almost forgotten his own love; the fifth was that he might not rise; the sixth was most marvelous to me, that he lay all alone. and I saw none to help him; and the seventh was that the place where he lay was hard and grievous. And I marveled how this servant might meekly suffer there all his woe.
Officiant: But as for me, I am a worm and no man:
People: Scorned by all and despised by the people.
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Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Saw him then from judgment taken,
And in death by all forsaken,
Till his spirit he resigned.
Eighth Station
Officiant: The women of Jerusalem mourn for Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” But specially and highly and with full lovely manner of look, it was shown to me that we shall meekly bear and suffer the penance that God himself gives us in life with a mind to his blessed Passion. For when we have a mind in his blessed Passion, with pity and love, then we suffer with him as did his friends who saw it. Flee we to our Lord and we shall be comforted.
Officiant: Those who sowed with tears:
People: Will reap with songs of joy.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Teach your Church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Jesus, may her deep devotion
Stir in me the same emotion,
Fount of love, Redeemer kind.
Officiant: The women of Jerusalem mourn for Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” But specially and highly and with full lovely manner of look, it was shown to me that we shall meekly bear and suffer the penance that God himself gives us in life with a mind to his blessed Passion. For when we have a mind in his blessed Passion, with pity and love, then we suffer with him as did his friends who saw it. Flee we to our Lord and we shall be comforted.
Officiant: Those who sowed with tears:
People: Will reap with songs of joy.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Teach your Church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Jesus, may her deep devotion
Stir in me the same emotion,
Fount of love, Redeemer kind.
Ninth Station
Officiant: Jesus falls a third time.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: For we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that, by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone. And I saw that it is right and fitting by virtue of the Lord's greatness and his own worship that his dearworthy servant, who he loved so much, should be truly and blissfully rewarded, above all that he would have been if he had not fallen. Yes, and to such a length, that his falling and his woe shall be turned into high and overpassing worship and endless bliss.
Officiant: He was led like a lamb to the slaughter:
People: And like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
That my heart fresh ardor gaining,
And a purer love attaining,
May with thee acceptance find.
Officiant: Jesus falls a third time.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: For we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that, by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone. And I saw that it is right and fitting by virtue of the Lord's greatness and his own worship that his dearworthy servant, who he loved so much, should be truly and blissfully rewarded, above all that he would have been if he had not fallen. Yes, and to such a length, that his falling and his woe shall be turned into high and overpassing worship and endless bliss.
Officiant: He was led like a lamb to the slaughter:
People: And like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
That my heart fresh ardor gaining,
And a purer love attaining,
May with thee acceptance find.
Tenth Station
Officiant: Jesus is made naked for the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Our good Lord showed me in the spirit a sight of his homely loving. I saw that he is to us everything that is good and comfortable to our help. He is our clothing that for love is wound round us and wraps us up and shrouds us, and all encloses us and is twined about us for tender love, that he may never leave us. For as the body is clad in cloth and the flesh in the skin and the bones in the flesh and the heart in the whole, so we are clad and enclosed in the goodness of God. Yes, and he is yet more homely, for all these vanish and pass away but the goodness of God is ever whole and more near to us without any comparison.
Officiant: They gave me gall to eat:
People: And when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
In the Passion of my Maker,
Be my sinful soul partaker,
May I bear with her my part.
Officiant: Jesus is made naked for the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Our good Lord showed me in the spirit a sight of his homely loving. I saw that he is to us everything that is good and comfortable to our help. He is our clothing that for love is wound round us and wraps us up and shrouds us, and all encloses us and is twined about us for tender love, that he may never leave us. For as the body is clad in cloth and the flesh in the skin and the bones in the flesh and the heart in the whole, so we are clad and enclosed in the goodness of God. Yes, and he is yet more homely, for all these vanish and pass away but the goodness of God is ever whole and more near to us without any comparison.
Officiant: They gave me gall to eat:
People: And when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
In the Passion of my Maker,
Be my sinful soul partaker,
May I bear with her my part.
Eleventh Station
Officiant: Jesus is nailed to the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." We pray to God by his holy flesh and by his precious blood, his holy passion, his dearworthy death and worshipful wounds. For all the blessed kindness and endless life that we have is through all this: it is all the goodness of God. For the blessed wounds of our Savior be open, and enjoy to heal us.
Officiant: They pierce my hands and my feet:
People: They stare and gloat over me.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Of his Passion bear the token,
In a spirit bowed and broken
Bear his death within my heart.
Officiant: Jesus is nailed to the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." We pray to God by his holy flesh and by his precious blood, his holy passion, his dearworthy death and worshipful wounds. For all the blessed kindness and endless life that we have is through all this: it is all the goodness of God. For the blessed wounds of our Savior be open, and enjoy to heal us.
Officiant: They pierce my hands and my feet:
People: They stare and gloat over me.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Of his Passion bear the token,
In a spirit bowed and broken
Bear his death within my heart.
Twelfth Station
Officiant: Jesus dies on the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this, that a man or woman should lay down their lives for their friends...And Jesus said: "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up the spirit. And with this our good Lord said blissfully: "See how much I love you," as if he had said: "My darling, behold and see your Lord, the God that made you, and your endless joy. For now I have died for you and suffered all that can possibly be suffered, all my bitter pain and hard travail are turned into endless bliss and joy for you and for me. See what satisfying bliss I have in your salvation, and for my love rejoice with me."
Officiant: Christ for us became obedient unto death:
People: Even death on a cross.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
May his wounds both wound and heal me,
He enkindle, cleanse, and heal me,
Be his cross my hope and stay.
Officiant: Jesus dies on the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this, that a man or woman should lay down their lives for their friends...And Jesus said: "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up the spirit. And with this our good Lord said blissfully: "See how much I love you," as if he had said: "My darling, behold and see your Lord, the God that made you, and your endless joy. For now I have died for you and suffered all that can possibly be suffered, all my bitter pain and hard travail are turned into endless bliss and joy for you and for me. See what satisfying bliss I have in your salvation, and for my love rejoice with me."
Officiant: Christ for us became obedient unto death:
People: Even death on a cross.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
May his wounds both wound and heal me,
He enkindle, cleanse, and heal me,
Be his cross my hope and stay.
Thirteenth Station until Easter
Officiant: The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: Since therefore the children share in the same flesh and blood, he likewise partook of the same nature that through death might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. And his body being slain and dead, he yielded his soul into the Father's hands with all mankind for whom he was sent. At this point he began first to show his might, for he went into hell and there uprooted Adam from the bitter valley and rightfully knit him to himself in high heaven. His body was in the grave until Easter morning, but from that time he was never more to be counted among the dead. For then was rightfully ended the struggling and writhing, the groaning and the moaning. And our foul deadly flesh, which God's Son took on him--which was Adam's old serving robe--was then by our Savior made fair, new, white and bright and of endless cleanness.
Officiant: Her tears run down her cheeks:
People: And she has none to comfort her.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
May he, when the mountains quiver,
From the flame my soul deliver
On the glorious judgment day.
Officiant: The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: Since therefore the children share in the same flesh and blood, he likewise partook of the same nature that through death might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. And his body being slain and dead, he yielded his soul into the Father's hands with all mankind for whom he was sent. At this point he began first to show his might, for he went into hell and there uprooted Adam from the bitter valley and rightfully knit him to himself in high heaven. His body was in the grave until Easter morning, but from that time he was never more to be counted among the dead. For then was rightfully ended the struggling and writhing, the groaning and the moaning. And our foul deadly flesh, which God's Son took on him--which was Adam's old serving robe--was then by our Savior made fair, new, white and bright and of endless cleanness.
Officiant: Her tears run down her cheeks:
People: And she has none to comfort her.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
May he, when the mountains quiver,
From the flame my soul deliver
On the glorious judgment day.
Fourteenth Station
Officiant: Jesus is laid in the tomb
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation of our sins. Would you learn our Lord's meaning in this thing? Learn it well: Love was his meaning. Who showed it to you? Love. What did he show you? Only Love. And for what reason did he show you? For Love. Hold on to this, and you will learn more of the same. But you will never, without end, learn in it any other meaning.
Officiant: You will not abandon me to the grave:
People: Nor let your holy One see corruption.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
When to dust my dust returneth,
Grant a soul that to thee yearneth
In thy Paradise a place.
Concluding Prayers
Officiant: Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us:
People: Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in his own blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant: Jesus is laid in the tomb
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reader: In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation of our sins. Would you learn our Lord's meaning in this thing? Learn it well: Love was his meaning. Who showed it to you? Love. What did he show you? Only Love. And for what reason did he show you? For Love. Hold on to this, and you will learn more of the same. But you will never, without end, learn in it any other meaning.
Officiant: You will not abandon me to the grave:
People: Nor let your holy One see corruption.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant and People:
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
When to dust my dust returneth,
Grant a soul that to thee yearneth
In thy Paradise a place.
Concluding Prayers
Officiant: Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us:
People: Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord.
Officiant: Let us pray. (Silence) We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in his own blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Mond Crucifixion is a painting by Italian Renaissance artist Raphael, originally made up of a main panel and a two-panel predella.
