Stations of the Cross / the Way of the Cross

There is no set format for the Way of the Cross. However, it is customary to do the basics: name of the station, genuflect or bow, say the phrase "We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.", mention something concerning that station and end with an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and then move to the next station. Some like to read a scripture verse at each station or meditate on how the station affects their own life. There is no wrong or right form. It is more a matter of the time available and how deep you wish to go into the passion of Christ.

Below is a simple form

Act of Contrition

Forgive me my sins, O Lord, Forgive me my sins, The sins of my youth, The sin of my age, The sins of my soul, The sins of my body, My idle sins, My serious voluntary sins, The sins I know, The sins I do not know, The sins I have concealed so long, that are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial, for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour. I know my sins have wounded Thy Tender Heart, O my Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil through the most bitter passion of my Redeemer. Amen. O my Jesus, forgive and forget what I have been. Amen. 

At each station say
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
After each meditation say: One Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

* 1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Meditation
Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody helps defend you. You devoted your entire life to helping others. Help me be grateful for what you did for me. Help me to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt me. 

Say One Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

• 2nd Station: Jesus carries His cross
We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Meditation
Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew it wouldn't be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same. My Jesus,  I made thy cross heavy by my sins, make me feel their heavy weight. 

Say one Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

• 3rd Station: Jesus falls the first time
Meditation
Jesus, You are becoming weak and you fall down. My Jesus, the heavy burden of my sins is on Thee, beneath the cross. I loathe them, I detest them; I call on Thee to pardon them; may Thy grace aid me never more to commit them

• 4th Station: Jesus meets His Mother
Meditation
Jesus, You see your mother. She can't make the hurting stop, but it helps to see  that she is suffering with you. Jesus most suffering, Mary most sorrowful, my sins caused you pain and anguish, by God's assisting grace it shall be so no more.

• 5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
Meditation
Jesus, as you grow weaker, they grab a man out of the crowd and make him help carry your cross. My Jesus, give me the graces to bear the crosses Thou shalt send me during life.

• 6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Meditation
Jesus, Veronica takes a cloth and wipes the blood and sweat from your face. My tender Jesus, print in my soul deep, the lasting memory of Thy bitter pains.

• 7th Station: Jesus falls the second time
Meditation
As the cross grows heavier it becomes more difficult to get up. You don't give up. My Jesus, often have I sinned, thus beating Thee to the ground beneath the cross. Help me to use the efficacious means of grace that I may never fall again. 

• 8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Meditation
Jesus, you see a group of weeping women along the road. You stop and say "Weep not for Me but for your children's children". My Jesus, Who didst comfort the pious women of Jerusalem, comfort my soul with Thy tender pity.

• 9th Station: Jesus falls a third time
Meditation
Jesus, You fall again for the third time beneath your cross. You get up and keep going. My Jesus, never let me fall again into sin. My Jesus, let me die than ever offend Thee again.

• 10th Station: Jesus clothes are taken away
Meditation
The soldiers strip your clothes and throw dice for them. Your wounds are torn open. My Jesus, strip me of love for things of earth, and make me loathe all that savors of the world and sin.

• 11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
Meditation
You are stretched out on the cross you have carried. The soldiers take big nails and drive them into your hands and feet. My Jesus, by Thine agony help me make amends for the harm I have done to others.

• 12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross
Meditation
As Jesus hung on the cross, he forgave the soldiers who had crucified him. He gave all he had for us. My Jesus, three hours didst Thou hang in agony, and then die for me; let me die before I sin, and if I live, live for love of Thee.

• 13th Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
Meditation
Jesus, gently your are taken from the cross  and put in the lap of your mother. O Mary, Mother most sorrowful, the sword of grief pierced thy soul when thou didst see Jesus lying lifeless on thy bosom; obtain for me hatred of sin because sin slew thy Son and wounded thine own heart and grace to live a Christian life.

• 14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Meditation
Jesus, your body is prepared for burial. Joseph of Arimathea gave you his own tomb. My Jesus, let me live for love of Thee and enjoy with Thee in heaven the fruits of Thy passion and death.

Let us Pray

O God, whose death opened for us the gates of life eternal help us to carryout in our lives the desires you inspire in us. This we ask through Christ, our Lord, who now lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.