Stations of the Cross
Opening Devotions
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
O Lord open our lips
And our mouth shall show forth your praise.
O God make speed to save us
O Lord make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be,
world without end,
Amen
Let us pray
The president kneels at the chancel step facing the altar
Silence is kept

Father, Creator,
we disfigure your world.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Son, Redeemer,
we reject your sacrifice and crucify you daily.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Holy Spirit, Giver of life,
we, too often, choose death.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Eternal God,
Earth-maker, pain-bearer, life-giver,
Source of all that is and all that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom 	sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.  Amen.
We praise you, O Christ, for entering into the life of the world
May we also be signs of your presence as we follow in your way.
Let us pray.
Silence is kept
Christ Jesus, born of our Mary,
you did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped
but took the form of a servant and suffered death on the cross.
Help us to learn from you
as we enter into contemplation of your last journey on this earth.
Amen
The First Station
Jesus is condemned to death

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

As soon as it was morning, the religious authorities held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And they all condemned him and said, “He deserves to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgement seat at the place called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. Then he handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Moreover I saw under the sun
that in the place of justice, wickedness was there,
And in the place of righteousness,
wickedness was there as well. 

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Almighty God, who’s 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, do not cause more suffering to one another and the creation but find the paths of true justice and righteousness.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Second Station
Jesus takes up his Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter; and like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.

Honour and glory to you, O Lamb,
for you have redeemed us to serve our God
From every family, language, people and nation.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Almighty God, you willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow you.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Third Station
Jesus falls for the first time.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped; but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker, for his the Lord our God.

Surely he has borne our griefs;
And carried our sorrows.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

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.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Fourth Station
Jesus meets his mother

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

To what can I liken you, to what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem?  What likeness can I use to comfort you.  For vast as the sea is your grief.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.

A sword will pierce your own soul also:
And fill your heart with bitter pain.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Holy God, comforter and judge; as Mary wept for her son and Rachel wept for her children, let us never cease to cry out on behalf of all children who suffer at the hands of power and injustice.  Amen

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Fifth Station
The Cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

As they led Jesus away, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. “Those who would come after me, let them deny themselves and take up the cross and follow me.”

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Holy One of Blessing, you came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in your footsteps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister to all in need. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Sixth Station
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.

Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts:
Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

The woman who wiped your face reached out from her heart of compassion to honour you, so teach us to honour those who need our help, that we may give without condescension, and receive with humility. Show us how to give you what we have, for nothing is too big or small for us to offer, or for you to use.  Amen

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Seventh Station
Jesus falls a second time

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to our own ways;  and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.  For the transgression of his people was he stricken.

A bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Saviour to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Help us to turn from our unjust ways, that suffering may end and all might live in peace.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Eighth Station
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

There followed after Jesus a great multitude of the people, and among them were women who bewailed and lamented him.  But Jesus, turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
Those who sowed with tears:
Will reap with songs of joy.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Lord God of our Mothers and Fathers, deliver us from coming to you for solace only and not for strength. Help us to know when to grieve and when to act, that we may worthily serve this world in your name.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Ninth Station
Jesus falls a third time

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light. He has besieged me and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago. Though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes.
“Remember, O Lord, my affliction and bitterness, the wormwood and the gall!”

My soul is thirsting for you O God,
thirsting for the living God.
When shall I come to appear in your presence?

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Jesus, when you rode into Jerusalem the people waved palms with shouts of acclamation.  Grant that when the shouting dies we may still walk beside you even to a cross.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Tenth Station
Jesus is stripped of his garments

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And they divided his garments among them by casting lots. This was to fulfil the scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.”

On you I was cast from my birth,
and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Blessed Saviour, you gave your body to be whipped and your face to be spat upon:  Help us to remember that there is nothing in death or life, in the world as it is, or the world as it shall be, nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in you.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Eleventh Station
Jesus is nailed to the Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

When they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him; and with him they crucified two criminals, one on the right, and one on the left, and Jesus between them. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was numbered with the transgressors.”

They pierce my hands and my feet.
They stare and gloat over me.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

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 to those who do not know you the knowledge and love of you;  for the honour of your name.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Twelfth Station
Jesus dies on the Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “woman, behold your son!”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”  And when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!”  And then, crying with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”  And he bowed his head, and handed over his spirit.

Pointing to his disciples, he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers!”
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven
is my brother and sister and mother.” 

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Crucified saviour, naked God,
you hang disgraced and powerless.
Grieving, we dare to hope;
as we wait at the cross with your mother and your friend.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Thirteenth Station
The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

All you who pass by, behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. My eyes are spent with weeping; my soul is in tumult; my hear is poured out in grief because of the downfall of my people. “Do not call me Naomi (which means Pleasant), call me Mara (which means Bitter); for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”

Her tears run down her cheeks:
And she has none to comfort her.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Lord Jesus, you consoled Mary and Martha in their distress, you wept at the grave of Lazarus your friend, dry the tears of those who weep and comfort us in our sorrow that we may go forth strengthened in your love.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
The Fourteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the tomb

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus.  He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.  And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock;  and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.

You will not abandon me to the grave:
Nor let your Holy One see corruption.

Let us pray.
Silence is kept

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 be sustained by your Holy Spirit; that we may have inquiring and discerning hearts, the courage to will and to persevere, and a spirit to know and to love you in the world and in one another.  Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
Closing Devotions
The president kneels at the chancel step facing the altar
Christ for us became obedient unto death
Even death on the cross
Let us pray.
Silence is kept

Gather your little ones to you, O God,
as a hen gathers her brood to protect them.
Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you;
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Often you weep over our sins and our pride,
tenderly you draw is from hatred and judgement.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds,
in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life;
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness,
through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead,
Your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us;
in your love and tenderness, remake us.
In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness,
for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.
Gather your little ones to you, O God,
as a hen gathers her brood to protect them.

Silence is kept
O God of unchanging power and eternal light:
Look favourably on your whole Church,
that wonderful and sacred mystery.
By the working of your Holy Spirit,
bring about your plan of salvation.
Let the whole world see and know
that things which were cast down are being raised up,
and things which had grown old are being made new,
and that all things are being brought to their perfection
by him through whom all things were made,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The president turns to face the people
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us now
and for evermore.
Let us go in peace, to follow in the steps of our Lord.
The president departs in silence