First Station - Jesus is condemned to death

Story: Jesus stands in the most human of places. He has

already experienced profound solidarity with so many on

this earth, by being beaten and tortured. Now he is
wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. His
commitment to entering our lives completely begins its
final steps. He has said “yes” to God and placed his life in
God’s hands. We follow him in this final surrender, and
contemplate with reverence each place along the way, as
he is broken and given for us.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: As I view the scene, I become moved by both

outrage and gratitude. I look at Jesus. His face, the crown
of thorns, the blood, His clothes stuck to the wounds on
his back. Pilate washes his hands of the whole affair.
Jesus’ hands are tied behind his back. This is for me that I
might be free that I might have eternal life. As the journey
begins I ask to be with Jesus, to follow his journey. I
express my love and thanks.

Song: “We Remember”

We remember how you loved us to your death,

and still we celebrate, for you are with us here;
and we believe that we will see you when you come in
your glory, Lord.
We remember, we celebrate, we believe.

Here, a million wounded souls are yearning just to touch

you and be healed.
Gather all your people, and hold them to your heart.

We remember how you loved us to your death,

and still we celebrate, for you are with us here;
and we believe that we will see you when you come in
your glory, Lord.
We remember, we celebrate, we believe.

Now we recreate your love, we bring the bread and wine

to share a meal.
Sign of grace and mercy, the presence of the Lord.

We remember how you loved us to your death,

and still we celebrate, for you are with us here;
and we believe that we will see you when you come in
your glory, Lord.
We remember, we celebrate, we believe.

Christ, the Father's great "Amen" to all the hopes and

dreams of ev'ry heart,
Peace beyond all telling, and freedom from all fear.

We remember how you loved us to your death,

and still we celebrate, for you are with us here;
and we believe that we will see you when you come in
your glory, Lord.
We remember, we celebrate, we believe.

See the face of Christ revealed in ev'ry person standing by

your side,
Gift to one another, and temples of your love.

Second Station - Jesus carries His cross

Story: Jesus is made to carry the cross on which he will

die. It represents the weight of all our crosses. What he
must have felt as he first took it upon his shoulders! With
each step he enters more deeply into our human
experience. He walks in the path of human misery and
suffering, and experiences its crushing weight.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I contemplate the wood of that cross. I

imagine how heavy it is. I reflect upon all it means that
Jesus is carrying it. I look into his eyes. It’s all there. This
is for me. So I place myself with him in this journey, in its
anguish, in his freedom and surrender, in the love that
must fill his heart. With sorrow and gratitude, I continue
the journey. Moved by the power of his love, I am drawn
to him and express my love in the words that come to me.

Song: “Then Sings My Soul”

Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

… Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Third Station - Jesus falls the first time

Story: The weight is unbearable. Jesus falls under it. How

could he enter our lives completely without surrendering
to the crushing weight of the life of so many on this earth!
He lays on the ground and knows the experience of
weakness beneath unfair burdens. He feels the
powerlessness of wondering if he will ever be able to
continue. He is pulled up and made to continue.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I stare at the weakness in his eyes. I can look

at his whole body and see the exhaustion. As I behold him
there on the ground, being roughly pulled up, I know
forever how profoundly he understands my fatigue and my
defeats. This is for me. In grief and gratitude I want to let
him remain there. As I watch him stand again and gain an
inner strength, I accept his love and express my thanks.

Song: “We Exalt Thee”

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth

Thou art exalted far above all gods
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods

I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee

I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord

We exalt Thee, We exalt Thee

We exalt Thee, O Lord
We exalt Thee, We exalt Thee
We exalt Thee, O Lord

Oh with all we have

And with all we are
We have come so far
To lift Your name
Lift Your name on high, Jesus
'Cause it's all about You, oh Jesus
Oh it's all about You, oh yeah yeah yeah
And this love, this song, this praise
Is what we bring to You

Fourth Station - Jesus meets his mother

Story: Jesus’ path takes him to a powerful source of his

strength to continue. All his life, his mother had taught
him the meaning of the words, “Behold, the handmaid of
the Lord.” Now they look into each other’s eyes. How
piercedthrough her heart must be! How pained he must be
to see her tears! Now, her grace-filled smile blesses his
mission and stirs his heart to its depth. Love and trust in
God bind them together.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Meditation: As I watch them in this place along the way,
I contemplate the mystery of love’s power to give
strength. She knows the sorrow in every mother’s heart
who has lost a child to tragedy or violence. I look at the
two of them very carefully and long for such love and
such peace. This is for me, such incredible freedom, the
availability of a servant. I find the words to express what
is in my heart.

Song: “Fill My Cup, Lord”

Like the woman at the well

I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy
And then I heard my Savior speaking
"Draw from My well that never shall run dry"

Fill my cup, Lord

I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of Heaven, feed me 'til I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole

There are millions in this world

Who are craving
The pleasures, earthly things of gold
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord

Fill my cup, Lord

I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of Heaven, feed me 'til I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Here's my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Fifth Station - Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his
cross

Story: Jesus even experiences our struggle to receive help.

He is made to experience the poverty of not being able to
carry his burden alone. He enters into the experience of all
who must depend upon others to survive. He is deprived
of the satisfaction of carrying this burden on his own.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I look into his face and contemplate his

struggle, His weariness and fragility, His impotence. I see
how he looks at Simon, with utmost humility and
gratitude. This is for me. So I feel anguish and gratitude. I
express my thanks that he can continue this journey. That
he has help. That he knows my inability to carry my
burden alone. I say what is in my heart, with deep feeling.

Song: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near

When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near

And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Sixth Station - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Story: Jesus’ journey is at times brutal. He has entered

into the terrible experiences of rejection and injustice. He
has been whipped and beaten. His face shows the signs of
his solidarity with all who have ever suffered injustice and
vile, abusive treatment. He encounters a compassionate,
loving disciple who wipes the vulgar spit and mocking
blood from his face. On her veil, she discovers the image
of his face – his gift to her, and, for us to contemplate
forever.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: What does the face of Jesus hold for me?

What do I see, as I look deeply into his face? Can I try to
comfort the agony and pain? Can I embrace him, with his
face so covered with his passion? The veil I behold is a
true icon of his gift of himself. This is for me. In wonder
and awe, I behold his face now wiped clean, and see the
depth of his suffering in solidarity with all flesh.

Song: “Goodness of God”

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

And all my life You have been faithful (oh)

And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)

'Cause Your goodness is running after

It's running after me
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me
With my life laid down
I'm surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness is running after
It's running after me (oh-oh)

'Cause Your goodness is running after

It's running after me
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me
With my life laid down
I'm surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God
(I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna sing)

'Cause all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

Seventh Station - Jesus falls the second time

Story: Even with help, Jesus stumbles and falls to the

ground. In deep exhaustion he stares at the earth beneath
him. “Remember, you are dust and to dust you will
return.” He has seen death before. Now he can feel the
profound weakness of disability and disease and aging
itself, there on his knees, under the weight of his cross.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I contemplate Jesus brought very low. As I

behold him there on the ground, with all the agony taking
its toll on him, I let my heart go out to him. I store up this
image in my heart, knowing that I will never feel alone in
my suffering or in any diminishment, with this image of
Jesus on the ground before me. This is for me, so I express
the feelings in my heart.
Song: “More Love To Thee”

More love to Thee, O Christ,

More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make
On bended knee;
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

2 Once earthly joy I craved,

Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek,
Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

3 Then shall my latest breath

Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry
My heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Eighth Station - Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Story: The women of Jerusalem, and their children, come

out to comfort and thank him. They had seen his
compassion and welcomed his words of healing and
freedom. He had broken all kinds of social and religious
conventions to connect with them. Now they are here to
support him. He feels their grief. He suffers, knowing he
can’t remain to help them more in this life. He knows the
mystery of facing the separation of death.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I look at their faces so full of love and

gratitude, loss and fear. I contemplate what words might
have passed between them. I remember all his tender,
compassionate, merciful love for me. I place myself with
these women and children to support him. This is for me.
So, I let this scene stir up deep gratitude

Song: “He Leadeth Me”

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!

O words with heav'nly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll'wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict'ry's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Ninth Station - Jesus falls a third time

Story: This last fall is devastating. Jesus can barely

proceed to the end. Summoning all this remaining strength
supported by his inner trust in God, Jesus collapses under
the weight of the cross. His executioners look at him as a
broken man, pathetic yet paying a price he deserves. They
help him up so he can make it up the hill of crucifixion.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I pause to contemplate him there on the

ground: The brokenness that makes me whole; the
surrender that gives me life. I pause to experience and
receive how completely he loves me. He is indeed
completely poured out for me. As I treasure this gifted
experience, I express what is in my heart

Song: “Through It All”

You are forever in my life

You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You

I'll sing to You, Lord

A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You

I'll sing to You, Lord

A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go

I'll sing to You, Lord

A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

I'll sing to You, Lord

A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

Tenth Station - Jesus’ clothes are taken away

Story: Part of the indignity is to be crucified naked. Jesus

is completely stripped of any pride. The wounds on his
back are torn open again. He experiences the ultimate
vulnerability of the defenseless. No shield or security
protects him. As they stare at him, his eyes turn to heaven.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I pause to watch the stripping. I contemplate

all that is taken from him and how he faces his death with
such nakedness. I reflect upon how much of himself he
has revealed to me holding nothing back. As I look at him
in his humility, I know that this is for me, and I share my
feelings of gratitude.

Song: “I Surrender All”

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

All to Jesus I surrender

Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender

Make me Savior wholly thine
May Thy Holy Spirit fill me
May I know Thy power divine

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Eleventh Station - Jesus is nailed to the cross

Story: Huge nails are hammered through his hands and

feet to fix him on the cross. He is bleeding much more
seriously now. As the cross is lifted up, the weight of his
life hangs on those nails. Every time he struggles to pull
himself up to breathe, his ability to cling to life slips away.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I make myself watch the nails being driven

through his flesh. And I watch his face. I contemplate the
completeness of his entry into our lives. Can there be any
pain or agony he would not understand? This is for me,
nailed to a cross to forever proclaim liberty to captives.
What sorrow and gratitude fill my heart!

Song: “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone”

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace

My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Twelfth Station - Jesus dies on the cross

Story: Between two criminals, a mocking title above his

head, with only Mary and John and Mary Magdalene to
support him, Jesus surrenders his last breath: “Into your
hands I commend my spirit.”
Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I stand there, at the foot of the cross, side by

side with all of humanity, and behold our salvation. I
carefully watch and listen to all that is said. And then, I
experience the one who gives life pass from life to death,
for me. I console Mary and John and Mary. And let them
console me. This is the hour to express the deepest
feelings within me.

Song: “Here I Am, Lord”

I, the Lord of sea and sky

I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I have made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord

Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart

I, the Lord of wind and flame

I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
'Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart

I will hold Your people in my heart

Thirteenth Station - The body of Jesus is taken down

from the cross

Story: What tender mourning! Jesus’ lifeless body lies in

his mother’s arms. He has truly died…A profound
sacrifice, complete.

Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I behold this scene at the foot of the cross. I

contemplate touching, caressing his body. I remember all
his hands have touched, all who have been blessed by his
warm embrace. I pause to let it soak in. He knows the
mystery of death. He has fallen into God’s hands. That I
might love as I have been loved. I pour out my heart to the
God of all mercies.

Song: “Rise Again”

Go ahead, drive the nails in my hands

Laugh at me where you stand
Go ahead, and say it isn't me
The day will come, when you will see!
'Cause I'll rise again
Ain't no power on earth can tie me down
Yes, I'll rise again
Death can't keep me in the ground!

Go ahead, and mock my name

My love for you is still the same
Go ahead, and bury me
But very soon I will be free!

'Cause I'll rise again

Ain't no power on earth can tie me down
Yes, I'll rise again
Death can't keep me in the ground!

Go ahead, and say I'm dead and gone

But you will see that you were wrong
Go ahead, try to hide the Son
But all will see that I'm the One!

'Cause I'll Come again

Ain't no power on earth can keep me back
Yes, I'll come again
Come to take my people back

Fourteenth Station - Jesus is laid in the tomb

Story: They take the body of Jesus to its resting place.

The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the
permanence of death. In this final act of surrender, who
would have imagined this tomb would soon be empty or
that Jesus would show himself alive to his disciples, or
that they would recognize him in the breaking of bread?
Oh, that our hearts might burn within us, as we realize
how he had to suffer and die so as to enter into his glory,
for us.
Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: I pause to contemplate this act of closure on

his life. In solidarity with all humanity, his body is taken
to its grave. I stand for a moment outside this tomb. This
final journey of his life has shown me the meaning of his
gift of himself for me. This tomb represents every tomb I
stand before with fear, in defeat, struggling to believe it
could ever be empty. In the fullness of faith in the Risen
One I express my gratitude for this way of the cross. I ask
Jesus, whose hands, feet and side still bear the signs of this
journey, to grant me the graces I need to take up my cross
to be a servant of his own mission.

Song: “Lord I Come to You (The Power of Your Love”

Lord I come to You

Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I found in You.
And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love.

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side.
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love.
Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me.
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love.