1st Station of the Cross – Jesus is condemned to death.
Jesus, you aren’t guilty of any crime or sin. How can you be condemned? But the unthinkable happens. The people yell: “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate finally agrees.
2nd Station of the Cross – Jesus carries His cross.
The cross is heavy and it hurts so much when it is slung across your back. Your back is raw from the beating. You begin to carry your cross, Jesus.
3rd Station of the Cross – Jesus falls the first time.
You fall to the ground beneath your heavy burden. Pain pierces every part of your body. The bystanders mock you, Jesus.
4th Station of the Cross – Jesus meets his mother.
Your heart breaks when you see your mother’s face. She feels every pain you feel. You say good-bye to your mother.
5th Station of the Cross – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross.
Simon of Cyrene doesn’t want your cross, Jesus. The soldiers make him help you. You are grateful and struggle to move up the hill a little faster.
6th Station of the Cross – Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
This woman wipes away the bloody sweat on your suffering face. It is an act of kindness, and you are so grateful. The image of your pain stains her cloth.
7th Station of the Cross – Jesus falls the second time.
The narrow street up the steep hill toward Golgotha is diffcult. Jesus, you fall again to your bloody knees. It is so diffcult to get up again. But you do.
8th Station of the Cross – Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
Do you know all of these weeping women, Jesus? They know you as the “man of sorrow,” as an innocent lamb being led to slaughter. You try to console them.
9th Station of the Cross – Jesus falls a third time.
This time, your face hits the hard stone street. Your head throbs with pain, and you are dizzy with it. Obediently, you get up to travel on to the hill of crucifxion.
10th Station of the Cross – Jesus’ clothes are taken away.
No care and no dignity is given to you now, Jesus. Even your clothes are taken. You have nothing left to give except suffering and your final breaths.
11th Station of the Cross – Jesus is nailed to the cross.
Wrists fist and then your feet. Long iron spikes nail you to the cross. Then the cross is hauled up for the world to see. I’m so sorry, Jesus.
12th Station of the Cross – Jesus dies on the cross.
In your final hours, your suffering is so great. You call to your Father. After a few more words, you release your last breath.
13th Station of the Cross – The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross.
Jesus, now you can feel no pain. No hateful statements or lies can wound you. Soldiers pull out the spikes and release your body from the cross.
14th Station of the Cross – Jesus is laid in the tomb.
In a hurry, your body is wrapped and laid on a cold stone. You have a borrowed grave, Jesus. The sun goes down and your body grows cold in the darkness.