Sacred Way

The Way of the Cross is a set of fourteen stations that represent the main moments of Christ's passion, death and Resurrection. The walk is done in silence and can be done individually or in a group.

The Way of the Cross is a profound spiritual experience that helps us understand the suffering of Christ and our relationship with Him.

The origin of the Way of the Cross

The Way of the Cross is a prayer celebrated during Lent, Holy Week, and which dates back to the earliest days of Christianity. The origin of the word comes from Latin and means “sacred path”.

The Way of the Cross is a journey of meditation, which relives and reflects on the last events of Jesus Christ, from his arrest to his crucifixion. This practice is very significant today to connect on a deeper level with the path of Christ, and to obtain a more spiritual experience.

The origin of the Way of the Cross dates back to the 5th century, when the Way of the Eucharist was created in West Jerusalem.

Now, the Way of the Cross is celebrated by Catholics around the world, and is often used as a way to perform meditation.

Praying the 14 Stations of the Cross

Opening prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, you with so much love entered this path to die for me; But I have despised you so many times! Now with all my soul I love you and, because I love you, I regret from the bottom of my heart that I have offended you. Forgive me and allow me to accompany you on this path. You, out of love for me, walk to the place where you will die for me, and I also, out of love for you, wish to accompany you to die with you, most loving Redeemer. O my Jesus, I wish to live and die with you!

First Station – Jesus is sentenced to death

℣. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
℟. Because, through your holy Cross, you redeemed the world.

Let us contemplate how Jesus Christ, already scourged and crowned with thorns, was finally unjustly condemned to death by Pilate .

Prayer. — O adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, but my wicked life that condemned you to death. Due to the merit of this very painful itinerary, on which you embark towards Mount Calvary, I ask you to kindly accompany me on the path along which my soul heads towards eternity. I love you, O Jesus, my Love, more than myself, and from the bottom of my heart I regret having offended you. Do not allow me to be separated from you again. Give me everlasting love to you and do with me what you will. What is pleasant for you will also be pleasant for me.

Our Father , Hail Mary , Glory .

To die crucified,
Your Jesus is condemned
For your crimes, sinner.
For the painful Virgin,
Your Mother so pious,
Forgive me, my Jesus.

Second Station – Jesus carries the cross

℣. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
℟. Because, through your holy Cross, you redeemed the world.

Let us contemplate how Jesus Christ, carrying the Cross on his shoulders, remembered on the way to offer the death he would suffer for us to the eternal Father .

Prayer. — O most loving Jesus, I embrace all the adversities that, by your will, I will tolerate until death and, for the hard suffering that you endured carrying the Cross, I ask you to give me strength so that I too can carry it, with strong spirit and patient, my own cross. I love you, O Jesus, my Love, and I regret having offended you. Do not allow me to separate from you again. Give me everlasting love to you and do with me what you will.

Our Father , Hail Mary , Glory .

With the Cross he is carried,
And from the crushing weight,
I will die for your love.
For the painful Virgin,
Your Mother so pious,
Forgive me, my Jesus.

Third Station – Jesus falls for the first time

℣. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
℟. Because, through your holy Cross, you redeemed the world.

Let us contemplate the first fall of Jesus under the weight of the Cross. His flesh, because of the bloody scourging, was wounded in many ways and his head was crowned with thorns; He had still shed so much blood that he could barely move his feet due to lack of strength. And because he was oppressed by the heavy weight of the Cross and pushed mercilessly by the soldiers, he often fell to the ground along the way.

Prayer. — O my Jesus, it is not the weight of the Cross, but the weight of my sins that covers you with so much pain. I beg you, for this first fall of yours, to protect me from every fall into sin. I love you, O Jesus, with all my heart; I regret having offended you. Do not allow me to fall into sin again. Give me everlasting love to you and do with me what you will.

Our Father , Hail Mary , Glory .

By the Cross so oppressed,
Jesus falls, fainting,
For your salvation.
For the painful Virgin,
Your Mother so pious,
Forgive me, my Jesus.

Fourth Station –

℣. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
℟. Because, through your holy Cross, you redeemed the world.

Let us contemplate what the meeting, on this path, of the Son and the Mother must have been like. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and the silent looks they exchanged were like so many arrows piercing their loving hearts .

Prayer. — O most loving Jesus, for the bitter pain you experienced in this encounter, make me, I ask you, truly devoted to your most holy Mother. And you, O my sorrowful Queen, intercede for me and obtain for me such a memory of the torments of your Son, that my mind may forever be detained in the pious contemplation of them. I love you, O Jesus, my Love; I regret having offended you. Do not allow me to sin against you again. Give me everlasting love to you and do with me what you will.

Our Father , Hail Mary , Glory .

Of tearful Mary,
In the pitiful encounter,
You see the immense compassion.
For the painful Virgin,
Your Mother so pious,
Forgive me, my Jesus.

Fifth Station –

Sixth Station –

Seventh Station –

Eighth Station –

Ninth Station –

Tenth Station –

Eleventh Station –

Twelfth Station –

Thirteenth Station –

Fourteenth Station –

References: Father Paulo Ricardo