Holy Week

Stations of

the Cross

Introduction & WelcomeSign of the Cross

Priest:During Lent, and especially onGood Friday, we take time toremember the journey of Jesusto Calvary.

Priest:

Jesus loved his Father always. In his journey to Calvary, Jesus loved his Father to the end.

Priest:

We will hear about people who hurt

Jesus by their sins. We will beasked to reflect on how we havehurt others by our sins.

Priest:

We will hear of the people who helped Jesus by the goodthings they did. We will be asked to reflect on how we help others.

All say:Lord, with your help we know thatevery single action we do can bringabout change that will count. If westart today, we can make adifference. Let us work together todismantle the cross of injustice inthe world and build from that woodan ark of refuge for all in need ofsafety.

All say:Lord, you took on our troubles, oursins and carried them to Calvary. Your sacrifice was not in vain. Eachtime we participate in the Eucharist maywe become more resolved to help othersto carry their cross in life and to ensurethat our thoughtlessness andextravagance does not add further burdento the already troubled lives of ourbrothers and sisters.

All say:Lord, you fell down under the weightof the cross and the taunts of yourcaptors. Help us to find our voice forchange and begin again with newdetermination to be worthy,responsible stewards of creation. Give us the strength to rise abovethe scorn of others and our humanweakness.

All say:Lord, you and your mother had a specialbond. Her sadness at your suffering canonly be imagined. Be with all motherstoday who face the loss of theirchildren, especially through naturaldisasters in our world. Be their comfort,ease their heartbreak and heal theirpain.

All say:Lord, help end our indifference to theplight of others. Because we cannot seethem face to face we shut out theirsilent pleas for help. May webecome Simon for them in their hour ofneed and take on the role of servants inimitation of Jesus who came ‘to serve’and not to be served.

All say:Lord, Veronica shows us your face ofsuffering. Give us the insight to see yourface in the poor and marginalizedthroughout the world. As we enjoy our

liveshere in this country, let us not forgetthose who hunger and thirst. Let us notforget those who weep because of diseaseand loss. Let us resolve to face up to thepart we play in the pain of others.

All say:Lord, it is tempting to lie low, hideourselves away when we know that ourinaction is increasing the suffering ofothers. Sometimes we can hit a low pointabout the things that depress us in our ownsituations. Give us the perspective to seethe relative nature of our pain. Give us thegrace to take the first step on the longroad to ensure a brighter tomorrow for allhumankind.

All say:Lord, you teach us patience as we

seethe suffering of others in our worldborne with dignity. Keep us on theroad of selflessness with hearts opento the needs of others. May we reflectyour outreach to others in spite of ourown pain.

All say:Lord, we are human and sometimes we

giveup completely if we fail more than once. Give us the courage and strength to pickourselves up as you did on the road toCalvary. Give us the humility to accept

thehelp of others on our journey and turn toyou for inner strength when we feel aloneand dispirited.

All say:Lord, you knew humiliation andembarrassment when you were robbed ofyour very dignity. You were always thechampion of the poor. Now we are calledto cover the shame of the world’s greedwith the garments of generosity andpositive action. May we be instrumentalin restoring the dignity of those who aremade poor because of our selfishness.

All say:Lord, words are not enough to describe

the pain and suffering of your ordeal. Open

oureyes to the tragedy our selfishness caninflict on others. May we never turn

awayfrom our responsibility for the whole ofcreation. May our efforts ensure areduction in the suffering of others.

All say:Lord, keep us focused on the power we

haveto change society and to improve thesituation of others. May we never forgetthose who have died as a result of climatechange. May we resolve to change ourhabits today, so that others might live.

All say:Lord, the sadness of Mary is lived again inthe sorrow of mothers throughout theworld. Give us the grace to continue tooffer relief to those whose lives areblighted by the effects of climate change.May we resolve to change our lifestyles so that mothers may no longer be faced withthe tragedy of loss and suffering.

All say:Lord, we recognize the hopelessness ofpeople who are facing almost inevitable painand loss because of climate change. Let usnot bury our heads in the sand and donothing. Let us carry in our hearts thosewho suffer as a result of earthquakes,tsunami, hurricane, tornado, drought orfamine. May we be always mindful of ourneed to work together for new life and abetter world for all people.

All say:Lord, we celebrate the gift of new lifeon Easter day. We know that even thedarkest hour can be turned around ifwe act with compassion and withresponsibility for our global neighbours. Keep us joyful as we work to bringabout change in our world. May hopelive in our hearts.

Closing PrayerPriest:Lord Jesus, you were sent by yourFather to bring us the Good News. You never stopped showing us

God’slove. Even on the cross you forgave thosewho were putting you to death.

Priest:On Easter Day you rose again to new life. You ask us to live like you now so that we will live with you for ever in your new life.

Let us say together: ‘Glory Be’

All pray: Glory be to the Father,And to the Son,And to the Holy Spirit;As it was in the beginning,Is now and ever shall be,World without end. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

Concluding Hymn: City of God

Awake from your slumber!Arise from your sleep!A new day is dawningFor all those who weep.

The people in darknessHave seen a great lightThe Lord of our longing Has conquered the night.

Refrain:Let us build the city of God.May our tears be turned into dancing.For the Lord, our light and our loveHas turned the night into day.

God is light; in God there is no darkness. Let us walk in the light, God’s children one and all.O comfort my people, make gentle your words,Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.

Refrain:Let us build the city of God.May our tears be turned into dancing.For the Lord, our light and our loveHas turned the night into day.