FIFTH STATION: Jesus Receives the Cross

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When they had finished mocking Jesus, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.(Mt 27:31)

(Pause for silent reflection)

Prayer

Dear Lord, the cross was the punishment for criminals and insurgents. Who could believe that it was placed on the shoulders of the Son of God, the source of all holiness and goodness? And yet, you accepted it in all humility because you knew that such was the condition to save us from eternal damnation. The cross you accepted to carry was our cross – the cross of our sins, the cross of our weaknesses, our discouragements, our failures, our wickedness … To this very day, innocent men, women and children are made to bear the cross of other people’s faults, greed, pride, lust… Grant us the grace, dear Lord, never to burden others with our moral defects, and bravely to carry with you * the cross of our daily duty.

Our Father | Hail Mary | Glory Be

Leader: Jesus Christ, Crucified.

All: Have Mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

All: Amen.