STATIONS OF THE CROSS

AND

ADORATION AND BENEDICTION OF

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

AND

ADORATION AND BENEDICTION OF

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

ACCORDING TO THE WESTERN RITE

OF THE HOLY EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH

~ FOREWORD ~

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~ CONTENTS ~

Stations/Way of the Cross.

Adoration/Benediction.

All stand and sing "At The Cross Her Station Keeping" as the entrance processional as the Priest, preceded by the processional Cross, leaves the Sacristy from the Royal Doors. If the procession is short, the first and fifteenth verse are sung. If longer, then, as many verses as necessary are sung, always ending with the fifteenth verse. Upon arriving at the First Station, the first verse is again sung for the first station.

+ + +

THE FIRST STATION

The first verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

At the cross her station keeping,

Mary stood in sorrow weeping

When her Son was crucified

as the Priest proceeds to the First Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The First Station, Jesus is condemned to death. (In some places it is the custom to kneel or genuflect at this verse for each Station and to arise after the response.) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world! (If it is the custom to kneel or genuflect at the verse, then all arise here, at the end of this response, for each Station.)

V. The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, pronounced the sentence of death upon Thee, O Jesus. Be Thou a gracious Judge to me when my last hour comes, and do not sentence me to eternal death.

V. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.

R. 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.

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary, full of Grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy woumb, Jesus.

R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE SECOND STATION

The second verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

While she waited in her anguish

Seeing Christ in torment languish

Bitter sorrow pierced her heart

as the Priest proceeds to the Second Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Second Station, Jesus carries His cross. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. My Jesus, Thou patiently acceptest the cross upon Thy torn and wounded shoulders. Give me the Grace to bear patiently the heavy burdens of this life. Strengthen and comfort me in all my sorrows and sufferings.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE THIRD STATION

The third verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

With what pain and desolation

With what noble resignation

Mary watched her dying Son

as the Priest proceeds to the Third Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Third Station, Jesus falls the first time beneath the cross. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Dear Lord, Thou hast fallen to the ground under Thy cross. The weight of my sins has pressed Thee down. I detest them with my whole heart. Give me the grace to see sin as the worst of evils, to hate it and to flee from it.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE FOURTH STATION

The fourth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Ever patient in her yearning

Though her tear filled eyes were burning

Mary gazed upon her Son

as the Priest proceeds to the Fourth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Fourth Station, Jesus meets His afflicted Mother. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Bowed beneath the cross, bleeding and torn, now Thou meetest Thy grief-stricken Mother. O beloved Jesus, I too, will look upon thy bitter pains and death with a stricken heart. I beg Thou sorrowful Mother to pray for me in life and in death.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE FIFTH STATION

The fifth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Who, that sorrow contemplating

On that passion meditating

Would not share the Virgin's grief

as the Priest proceeds to the Fifth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Fifth Station, Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Simon bore with Thee, my Redeemer, my part of the weight of Thy heavy cross. I also, will walk with Thee on this Way of the Cross, and accept suffering in union with the Divine Will, that thus I may be truly Thy child.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE SIXTH STATION

The sixth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Christ she saw, for our salvation

Scourged with cruel aclamation

Bruised and beaten by the rod

as the Priest proceeds to the Sixth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Sixth Station, Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Veronica pitied Thee, O sweet Jesus, and with a cloth wiped away the blood and sweat that stained Thy face. Thou didst stamp upon the cloth the likeness of Thy wounded face. Print deep in my soul the memory of Thy bitter pains, that I may never offend Thee. My Jesus, I love Thee.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE SEVENTH STATION

The seventh verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Christ she saw with life-blood failing

All her anguish unavailing

Saw Him breathe His very last

as the Priest proceeds to the Seventh Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Seventh Station, Jesus falls the second time. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. O Jesus, a second time Thou hast fallen beneath the cross. My sins, my bad habits, have made it heavy to Thee. Let me not fall back into them. Help me to amend my life.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE EIGHTH STATION

The eighth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Mary fount of love's devotion

Let me share with true emotion

All the sorrow you endured

as the Priest proceeds to the Eighth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Eighth Station, The daughters of Jerusalem weep over Jesus. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Dearest Lord, Thou speakest to the weeping women who pitied Thee saying: "Weep not over Me, but weep for yourselves and your children." Thou seest the coming destruction of Jerusalem. I will heed Thy warning, and weep for my sins, that they may not destroy me. My Jesus, mercy!

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE NINTH STATION

The ninth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Virgin, ever interceding

Hear me in my fervent pleading

Fire me with your love of Christ

as the Priest proceeds to the Ninth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Ninth Station, Jesus falls the third time. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. O dearest Jesus, utterly exhausted, Thou fallest under the cross the third time. The hardness and impenitence of men have crushed Thee to the ground. Grant that I may always cooperate with Grace, and readily follow pious instructions. Thy will be done.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE TENTH STATION

The tenth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Mother, may this prayer be granted

That Christ's love may be implanted

In the depths of my poor soul

as the Priest proceeds to the Tenth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Tenth Station, Jesus is stripped of His garments. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Thou wert stripped of Thy garments, O Thou Most Holy One, to atone for my sins of impurity. I firmly resolve to keep my heart clothed in purity, all my thoughts and actions chaste.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE ELEVENTH

STATION

The eleventh verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

At the cross, your sorrow sharing

All your grief and torment bearing

Let me stand and mourn with you

as the Priest proceeds to the Eleventh Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Eleventh Station, Jesus is nailed to the cross. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. My Jesus, They nailed Thee upon the cross. How great was that agony, and Thou didst bear it for me! All my life I will thank Thee for it. I will remember Thy pain when sinful desires attack me.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE TWELFTH STATION

The twelfth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Fairest maid of all creation

Queen of hope and consolation

Let me feel your grief sublime

as the Priest proceeds to the Twelfth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Twelfth Station, Jesus dies on the cross. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Beloved Jesus, Thou wert raised upon the cross, and didst die upon it. May Thy death bring me to eternal life. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee above all things.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE THIRTEENTH

STATION

The thirteenth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Virgin, in your love befriend me

At the Judgment Day defend me

Help me by your constant prayer

as the Priest proceeds to the Thirteenth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Thirteenth Station, Jesus is taken down from the cross. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. Thou wert taken down from the cross, my Redeemer, and laid upon Thy Mother's breast. In Holy Communion I receive Thee within my breast. Give me the Grace always to receive Thee worthily. Grant that through the intercession of Thy Sorrowful Mother, I may live a holy life and die a happy death.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

THE FOURTEENTH

STATION

The fourteenth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Saviour, when my life shall leave me

Through your mother's prayers reveive me

With the fruits of victory

as the Priest proceeds to the Fourteenth Station. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. The Fourteenth Station, Jesus is laid in the sepulcher. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

V. After Thy death, O my blessed Lord, Thy body was placed within the tomb. But Thou didst rise again the third day. I implore Thee, by Thy resurrection, make me rise glorious with Thee at the Last Day to be forever united with Thee in heaven, to love Thee and bless Thee with the angels and the saints throughout eternity.

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen

PRAYERS CONCLUDING THE STATIONS

The fifteenth verse of At the Cross Her Station Keeping, is sung

Let me to your love be taken

Let my soul in death awaken

To the joys of Paradise

as the Priest proceeds to the to the Royal Doors. If the procession is long, the first verse is then begun, and as many verses as necessary, always ending with the fifteenth verse. At the end of the verse, the Priest prays:

V. Now, O good Jesus, I thank Thee for all the graces which Thou hast given me i making this Way of the Cross. Let not Thy bitter agony and death be fruitless in my soul, but may they make me wholly Thine.

R. Amen

V. Our Father . . .

R. Give us this day . . .

All. Amen

V. Hail Mary . . .

R. Holy Mary . . .

All. Amen

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, throughout all Ages of Ages.

All. Amen

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy upon us!

V. May our souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A. Amen.

+ + +

"Humbly We Adore Thee" is then sung as the Priest enters the Royal Doors.

If adoration of, and benediction with the Blessed Mystery follows, all remain standing.

ADORATION OF AND BENEDICTION WITH THE

BLESSED MYSTERY

(BLESSED SACRAMENT)

All stand as the Priest enters, then kneel as he reaches the Altar and places the Eucharist in the monstrance (or remain standing if the Church does not have kneelers.)

The Priest incenses the Eucharist after it is placed in the monstrance and prays:

P. O Jesus, Who art about to give Thy benediction to me, and to all here present, I humbly beseech Thee that it may impart to each and all of us the special graces we need. Yet more than this I ask. Let Thy blessings go forth far and wide. Let it be felt in the souls of the afflicted who can not come here to receive it at Thy feet. Let the weak and tempted feel its power wherever they may be. Let poor sinners feel its influence, arousing them to come to Thee. Grant to me O Lord, and to all here present, a strong personal love of Thee, a lively horror of sin, a higher esteem of grace, great zeal for Thy honor and glory, for the interests of Thy Sacred heart, for our own sanctification, and for the salvation of souls.

R. Amen

Then is sung "O Saving Victim / O Salutaris" and "Sing My Tongue"

P. Thou didst give them Bread from Heaven.

R. Containing in itself all sweetness.

P. Let us pray:

O God, Who in this wonderful sacrament, hast left us a memorial of Thy passion; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy redemption, Who livest and reignest with the Father, in unity of the Holy Spirit, one God throughout all Ages of Ages.

R. Amen.

(ALL KNEEL)

then the Priest blesses the people silently making the sign of the cross with the monstrance which enthrones the Sacred Bread)

P. Let us adore for ever the Most Holy Sacrament.

P. Praise the Lord all ye nations; praise Him all ye people.

R. Because His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for all ages.

P. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,

R, As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, throughout all ages of ages. Amen.

P. Let us adore for ever the Most Holy Sacrament.

V. Blessed be God.

R. Blessed be God.

V. Blessed be His holy Name.

R. Blessed be His holy Name.

V. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.

R. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.

P. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

R. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

V. Blessed be His most sacred Heart.

R. Blessed be His most sacred Heart.

V. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Alter.

R. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

P. Blessed be the Great Mother of God, Mary, the Most Holy.

R. Blessed be the Great Mother of God, Mary, the Most Holy.

P. Blessed be her most Holy and Immaculate Conception.

R. Blessed be her most Holy and Immaculate Conception.

P. Blessed be the name of Mary, virgin and Mother.

R. Blessed be the name of Mary, virgin and Mother.

P. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.

R. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.

P. Blessed God in His angels and in His saints.

R. Blessed God in His angels and in His saints.

(All stand)

P. We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.

Thee, the Father everlasting, all the earth doth worship.

To Thee, all the angels, to Thee the heavens, and all the powers,

To Thee the cherubim and seraphim cry out unceasingly;

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts.

Full are the heavens and the earth of the majesty of Thy glory.

Thee, the glorious choir of the apostles,

Thee, the admirable company of the prophets,

Thee, the white robed army of the martyrs doth praise.

Thee, the holy Church throughout the world doth confess.

The Father of infinite majesty.

Thine adorable, true, and only Son.

And the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete.

Thou, O Christ, art the King of glory.

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.

Thou, having taken upon Thee to deliver man, didst not distain the virgin's woumb.

Thou, having overcome the sting of death, hast opened to believers the kingdom of heaven.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the Glory of the Father.

Thou, we believe, art the Judge to come.

(All kneel, or stand if there are no kneelers)

We beseech thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood.

Make them to be numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.

And govern them and exhault them forever.

Day by day we bless Thee.

And we praise Thy name forever; yea, throughout all ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, to keep us without sin.

Have mercy on us, Lord; have mercy on us.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; as we have hoped in thee.

In thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be confounded.

P. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

R. And worthy to be praised, and glorified, throughout all ages of ages.

P. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost.

R. Let us praise and magnify Him throughout all ages.

P. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven,

R. And worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exhaulted for all ages.

P. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

R. And forget not all His benefits.

P. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

(Priest stands, all others remain kneeling)

P. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

P. Let us pray:

O God, Whose mercies are without number, and the treasure of whose goodness is infinite; we render thanks to Thy most precious majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us; evermore beseeching Thy clemency that as Thou grantest the petitions of those who seek Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the rewards to come.

O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation.

0 God, Who sufferest none that hope in Thee to be overmuch afflicted, but dost lend a gracious ear unto their prayers; we render Thee thanks for having heard our supplications and promises; and we most humbly beseech Thee, that we may evermore be protected from all adversities. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, throughout all ages of ages.

R. Amen.

(All remain in place while the Sacred Mystery is removed from the monstrance)

P. Now to the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory throughout all ages of ages.

R. Amen.

P. In the name of the Father +, and of the Son +, and of the Holy Spirit +,

All: Amen.

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GENERAL USAGE AND

TRADITION

GENERAL RUBRICS AND PROCESSION NOTES FOR THE WAY OF THE CROSS - The Way of the Cross need not be conducted or lead by a Priest, but may be prayed, even privately, by anyone or any group. If there is a procession, it is traditional that there be a processional Crucifix with corpus either in Icon or relief or in statue. At each station the portion of the crucifix with the body of our Lord is turned to face the congregation. In procession from the Royal Doors to the first station, the crucifix is held in normal position of leading the procession, facing front, and so too from the last station to the Royal Doors. Between stations and at each station, and at the closing prayer before the Royal Doors, it is held under or next to the station icon, facing the congregation. If possible, two servers, each with candle, should at all times be on either side of the space between the Priest and the cross, and if there is a censor, he should be at the right side of the cross (or on each side if there are two), thus:

Candle

Priest Processional Cross

Candle Censor

However, these rubrics are optional, and bow to local custom.

ADORATION OF AND BENEDICTION WITH THE BLESSED MYSTERY - It is not necessary that the Way of the Cross be followed by Adoration of and Benediction with the Blessed Mystery (Blessed Sacrament), nor is it necessary that Adoration of and Benediction with the Blessed Mystery be preceded by the Way of the Cross.

WHEN - The Stations of the Cross, or Way of the Cross, in this last decade of the 20th Century USA, is normally prayed only during Great Lent. However, that is not the tradition. The Tradition is, that it may be prayed at any time, and is considered to be most beneficial to all when prayed regularly. Some monastics have made it a part of their daily prayer life, and all are encouraged to pray it at least weekly, particularly on Fridays.

Adoration of and Benediction with the Blessed Mystery may be celebrated and prayed independent of any other prayer, but it is customary that it be celebrated in conjunction with another celebration or prayer, such as the Way of the Cross, after Novena Prayers, after certain feasts or celebrations of the Divine Liturgy, or the Lesser and Greater Litanies.

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