St. Thomas More
The Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale
New Haven, CT

Good Friday: The Stations of the Cross

The first station: Jesus is condemned to death
All: “They all shouted back, crucified him!” (Mark 15:12)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.

The second station: Jesus takes up his cross
All: Then they led him away to crucify him.” (Mathew 27:31)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword had passed.

The third station: Jesus falls for the first time
All: “By his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: O, how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blessed, of the sole-begotten One!

The forth station: Jesus meets His mother
All: “And a sword will pierce you own soul too.” (Luke 2:34)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying glorious Son.

The fifth station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
All: “And they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

The sixth station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
All: “And among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him.” (Luke 23:27)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain in that Mother’s pain untold?

The seventh station: Jesus falls for the second time
All: “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.” (Luke 22:44)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: For the sins of His own nation, she saw Jesus wracked with torment all with scourges rent.

The eighth station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
All: “Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me’. (Luke 23:28)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: She beheld her tender Child, saw Him hand in desolation ‘til His spirit forth He sent.

The ninth station: Jesus falls for the third time
All: “I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” (John 16:28)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: O thou Mother! Font of love! Touch my spirit from above; Make my heart with thine accord.

The tenth station: Jesus is stripped of His garments
All: “For my clothing they cast lots.” (Psalm 22:18)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ our Lord.

The eleventh station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
All: “Darkness came over the whole land.” (Mark 15:33)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Holy Mother! Pierce me through; in my heart each wound renew of my Savior crucified.

The twelfth station: Jesus dies on the cross
All: “Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’.” (Luke 23:46)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Let me share with thee His pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torments died.

The thirteenth station: Jesus is taken down from the cross
All: The Centurion and those with him…said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son.’.” (Matthew 27:54)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: Let me mingle tears with thee, mourning Him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live.

The fourteenth station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
All: “They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths.” (John 19:40)
Reflection
Pause
Acclamation: By the cross with thee to stay, there with thee to weep and pray, is all I ask of thee to give.


Remain for a brief time of personal reflection.

What does the death of Jesus mean for me?
How do I carry my crosses after Him?