In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection
Let us pray
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.
The procession goes to the First Station
Christ Speaks
These fourteen steps that you are now about to walk you do not take alone.
I walk with you.
Though you are you, and I am I, yet we truly are one -- one Christ
And therefore my way of the cross two thousand years ago and your "way" now are also one.
But note this difference. My life was incomplete until I crowned it by my death. Your fourteen steps will only be complete when you have crowned them by your life.
Christ Speaks In Pilate's hands, my other self, I see my Fathers will. Though Pilate is unjust, he is the lawful governor and he has power over me. And so the Son of God obeys.
If I can bow to Pilate's rule because it is my Fathers will, can you refuse obedience to those I place over you?
I reply
My Jesus, Lord, obedience cost you your life. For me it costs an act of will -- no more -- and yet how hard it is for me to bend.
Remove the blinders from my eyes that I may see it is you whom I obey in all who govern me Lord, it is you.
When I survey the wondrous cross Where the young prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride
2. Jesus Takes His Cross Christ Speaks This cross, this chunk of tree, is what my Father chose for me.
The crosses you must bear are largely products of your daily life. And yet my Father chose them, too, for you.
Receive them from his hands.
Take heart my other self, I will not let burdens grow one ounce too heavy for your strength.
I reply
My Jesus, Lord, I take my daily cross. I welcome the monotony that often marks my day, discomforts of all kinds, the summers heat, the winters cold, my disappointments, tensions, setbacks, cares
Remind me often that In carrying my cross, I carry yours with you. And though I bear a sliver only of your cross, You carry all of mine, except a sliver, in return.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the cross of Christ, my God: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood
3. Jesus Falls
Christ Speaks
The God who made the Universe and holds it in existence by his will alone, becomes a man, too weak to bear a piece of timbers weight.
How human in his weakness is the Son of God
My Father willed it thus. I could not be your model otherwise.
If you would be my other self, you also must accept without complaint your human frailties.
I reply
Lord Jesus, how can I refuse?
I willingly accept my weaknesses, my irritations and my moods, my headaches and fatigue, all my defects of body, mind and soul.
Because they are your will for me, these "handicaps" of my humanity, I gladly suffer them.
Make me content with all my discontents, but give me strength to struggle after you.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown
4. Jesus Meets His Mother
Christ speaks
My mother sees me whipped, She sees me kicked and driven like a beast. She counts my every wound But though her soul cries out in agony, no protest or complaint escapes her lips or even enters her thoughts
She shares my martyrdom -- and I share hers, We hide no pain, no sorrow, from each others eyes. This is my Fathers will
I reply
My Jesus, Lord, I know what you are telling me To watch the pain of those we love is harder than to bear our own.
To carry my cross after you, I, Too, must stand and watch the sufferings of my dear ones -- the heartaches, sicknesses and grief of those I love.
And I must let them watch mine, too.
I do believe -- for those who love you all things work together unto good.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an off'ring far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all
5. Simon Helps Jesus
Christ speaks
My strength is gone; I can no longer bear the cross alone. And so the legionaries make Simon give me aid
This Simon is like you, my other self.
Give me your strength.
Each time you lift some burden from anthers back, you lift as with your very hand the cross' awful weight that crushes me.
I Reply
Lord make me realize that every time I wipe a dish, pick up and object off the floor, assist a child in some small task, or give another preference in traffic or the store; each time I feed the hungry. clothe the naked teach the ignorant, or lend my hand in any way -- it matters not to whom -- my name is Simon. And the kindness I extend to them I really give to you.
Glory be to Jesus; Who in bitter pains Poured for me lifeblood From his sacred veins
6. Veronica Helps Jesus
Christ Speaks
Can you be brave enough, my other self, to wipe my bloody face?
Where is my face you ask?
At home whenever eyes fill up with tears, at work when tensions rise, on playgrounds, in the slums, the courts, the hospitals, the jails -- wherever suffering exists -- And there I look for you to wipe my blood and tears.
I reply
Lord, what you ask is hard. It calls for courage and self-sacrifice, and I am weak Please give me strength. Don't let me run away because of fear.
Lord, live in me and act in me and love in me. And not in me alone -- in all of us-- so that we may reveal no more your bloody but your glorious face on earth.
Grace and life eternal In that blood I find. Blessed be his compassion Infinitely kind.
7. Jesus Falls Again
Christ Speaks
This seventh step, my other self, is one that tests your will. From this fall learn to persevere in doing good.
The time will come when all you efforts seems to fail and you will think, "I cant go on."
Then turn to me My heavy-laden one, and I will give you rest.
Trust me and carry on.
I Reply
Give me your courage, Lord. When failure presses heavily on me and I am desolate, stretch our your hand to lift me up.
I know I must not cease, but persevere in doing good.
But help me, Lord Alone there's nothing I can do. With you, I can do anything you ask. I will.
Blest through endless ages Be the precious stream Which from sin and Sorrow Doth the world redeem!
8. Jesus Consoles the Women
Christ Speaks
How often had I longed to take the children of Jerusalem and gather them to me. but they refused.
But now these women weep for me and my heart mourns for them -- mourns for their sorrows that will come.
I comfort those who sseek solace in me.
How gentle can you be, my other self? How kind?
I reply
My Jesus, Your compassion in your passion is beyond compare.
Lord, teach me help me learn. When I would snap at those who hurt me with their ridicule, those who misunderstand, or hinder me with some misguided helpfulness, those who intrude upon my privacy-- then help my curb my tongue
May gentleness become my cloak.
Lord make me kind like you.
Lift ye then your voices: Swell the mighty flood; Louder still and louder Praise the precious blood
9 The Third Fall
Christ Speaks
Completely drained of strength I lie, collapsed, upon the cobblestones. My body cannot move. No blows, no kicks, can rouse it up.
And yet my will is mine.
And so is yours.
Know this, my other self, your body may be broken, but no force on earth and none in hell can take away your will.
Your will is yours.
I reply
My Lord, I see you take a moment's rest then rise and stagger on. So I can do because my will is mine.
When all my strength is gone and guilt and self-reproach press me to earth and seem to hold me fast, protect me from the sin of Judas -- save me from despair!
Lord, never let me feel that any sin of mine is greater than your love. No matter what my past has been I can begin anew
Now my tongue, the myst'ry telling, Of the glorious Body sing. And the Blood, all price excelling. Which the Gentiles' Lord and King. Once on earth among us dwelling, Shed for this world's ransoming
10. Jesus Is Stripped
Christ Speaks
Behold, my other self, the poorest king who ever lived. before my creatures I stand stripped. The cross-- my deathbed-- even this is not my own.
Yet who has ever been so rich?
Possessing nothing, I own all -- my Fathers love.
If you, too. would own everything, be not solicitous about your food, your clothes your life.
I reply
My Lord, I offer you my all -- Whatever I posses, and more, my self.
Detach me from the craving for prestige, position, wealth. Root out of me all trace of envy of my neighbor who has more than I. Release me from the vice of pride, my longing to exalt myself, and lead me to the lowest place.
May I be poor in spirit, Lord, so that I can be rich in you.
Given for us, and condescending to be born for us below, He with men and converse blending Dwelt the seed of truth to sow. Till he closed with wondrous ending His most patient life of woe.
11. Jesus is Crucified
Christ Speaks
Can you imagine what a crucifixion is?
My executioners stretch my arms; they hold my hand and wrist against the wood and press the nail until it stabs my flesh. Then, with one heavy hammer smash, they drive it through -- and pain bursts like a bomb of fire in my brain.
They seize the other arm and agony again explodes.
Then raising up my knees so that my feet are flat against the wood, they hammer them fast, too.
I reply
My God, I look at you and think: Is my soul worth this much?
What can I give you in return?
I here and now accept for all my life whatever sickness, torment, agony may come. To every cross I touch my lips.
O blessed cross that lets me be -- with you -- a co-redeemer of humanity.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
12. Jesus Dies
Christ Speaks
The cross becomes a pulpit now -- "Forgive them, Father... You will be with me in Paradise... There is your mother...There ...your son... I thirst... It is complete."
I reply
My Jesus, God, what can I say or do?
I offer you my death with all its pains, accepting now the time and kind of death in store for me. Not by a single instant would I lengthen my life's span.
I offer you my death for my own sins and for those of all humanity.
My God! My God! Forsake us not. We know not what we do.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
13. Jesus Is Taken Down
Christ Speaks
The sacrifice is done.
Yes, My Mass is complete; but not my mother's and not yours, my other self.
My mother still must cradle in her arms the lifeless body of the son she bore.
You, too, must part from those you love, and grief will come to you.
In your bereavements think of this: A multitude of souls were saved by Mary's sharing in my Calvary. Your grief can also be the price of souls.
I reply
I beg you, Lord, help me accept the partings that must come -- from friends who go away, my children leaving home, and most of all my dear ones when you shall call them to yourself.
Then, give me grace to say: "As it has pleased you, Lord, to take them home, I bow to your most holy will, And if by just one word I might restore their lives against your will I would not speak."
Grant them eternal joy.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
14. Jesus Is Buried
Christ Speaks
So ends my mortal life.
But now another life begins For Mary, and for Magdalen, for Peter and for John, and you.
My life's work is done. My work within and through my church must now commence.
I look to you, my other self.
Day in, day out, from this time forth, be my apostle -- victim-- saint.
I reply
My Jesus, Lord, You know my spirit is as willing as my flesh is weak.
The teaching you could not impart, the sufferings you could not bear, the works of love you could not do in your short life on earth, let me impart, and bear, and do through you.
But I am nothing, Lord, Help Me!
Glory let us give and blessing, To the Father and the Son, Honor, thanks, and praise addressing While eternal ages run. Ever too his love confessing Who from both with both is One.
Conclusion
Christ Speaks
I told you at the start, my other self, my life was not complete until I crowned it by my death. Your "way" is not complete unless you crown it by your life.
Accept each moment as it comes to you, with faith and trust that all that happens has my mark on it. A simple fiat, this is all it takes; a breathing in your heart, "I will it, Lord."
So seek me not if far-off places. I am close at hand. Your workbench, office, kitchen, these area altars where you offer love. And I am with you there.
Go now! Take up your cross and with your life complete your way.
Everyone's Way of the Cross Clarence Enzler 1970 and 1986 Ave Maria Press Nihili Obstat: John L Reedy C.S.C. Censor Dapatus Imprimatur: Most Reverend Leo A Pursley, D.D. Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend
