OPENING PRAYER

(Please kneel, preferably before an icon of the Crucified Jesus.)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus, today we lovingly recall your journey to Calvary which fulfilled your
promised redemption of our sins.

We remember your joyful attitude in carrying your cross. You endured physical
and moral suffering because of your unconditional love for us. Your sacrificial and
merciful love is a manifestation of your forgiving heart.

Lord Jesus, as we begin to make the way of the cross, we ask you to go before us
and lead us to follow your footsteps faithfully. Fill with us sorrow and contrition
for our sins.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the
beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

First Station:
THE LAST SUPPER
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading form the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew (126:26-30) (d Mk

14:22-25; Lk 22:3-6)

During the meal, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples.
"Take this and eat it," he said, "this is my body" Then he took a cup, gave thanks,
and gave it to them. "All of you must drink from it," he said, 'for this is my blood of
the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell
you, I will not drink this fruit of the vine from now until the day when I drink it new
with you in my Father's reign. "Then after singing songs of praise, they walked out
to the Mount of Olives.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for entrusting to us a memorial of your self-
giving love in the Last Supper. This event is the center of all your teachings,
miracles and healing. The Holy Eucharist that you have instituted has left us
examples of your service and humility. When we receive you in Holy Communion,
we become part of your Body. You dwell in us and we become one with you. Lord,
we will spend time with you in the Eucharist on Sundays and holidays of
obligation. We will prepare ourselves before receiving your sacred Body by
confessing our sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

Second Station:
THE AGONY IN THE GETHSEMANE

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (26:36-46) (cf. Mk
14:32-42; Lk 22:39-46; Jn 18:1-9)

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his disciples,
"Stay here while I go over there and pray." He took along Peter and Zebedee's two
sons, and began to experience sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My
heart is nearly broken with sorrow. Remain here and stay awake with me." He
advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer. "My Father, if it is possible, let this
cup pass me by. Still, let it be as you would have it, not as I" When he returned to
his disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not stay awake
with me even for an hour? Be on guard, and pray that you may not undergo the
test. The spirit is willing but nature is weak. "Withdrawing a second time, he
began to pray: "My Father, if this cannot pass me by without my drinking it, your
will be done." Once more, on his return, he found them asleep; they could not
keep their eyes open. He left them again, withdrew somewhat, and began to pray
a third time, saying the same words as before. Finally, he returned to his disciples
and said to them, "Sleep now. Enjoy your rest! The hour is on us when the Son of
Man is to be handed over to the power of evil men. Get up! Let us be on our way!
See, my betrayer is here."

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord, the hour of our salvation has come. You offered your whole life for
us. You restored us back to God. How painful it was for you to carry the burden of
our sins. But you did not give up. You accepted gladly the Father's will as you
prayed, "Father, not my will but let your will be done unto me." Your total
abandonment and obedience to the Father give us examples of deep faith and
trust in him. From you we learn to entrust everything into God's hands. We
encounter many trials and problems in our lives that sometimes we can hardly
face and accept them. There are lots of things we want to do in order to imitate
you but we are very weak. Help us, then, to reflect if in many things we are really
following God's will or our own will.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

 Third Station:
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (27:15-26) (cf. Mk 15:6-
15; Lk 23:1-25; Jn 18:28-19:16)

Now on the occasion of a festival the procurator was accustomed to release one
prisoner, whom the crowd would designate. They had at that time a notorious
prisoner named Barabbas. Since they were already assembled, Pilate said to
them, "Which one do you wish me to release for you, Barabbas or, Jesus, the so-
called Messiah?" He knew of course. that it was out of jealousy that they had
handed him over. While he was still presiding on the bench, his wife sent him a
message. "Do not interfere in the case of that holy man. I had a dream about him
today which has greatly upset me." Meanwhile, the chief priests and elders
convinced the crowds that they should ask for Barabbas and have Jesus put to
death. So when the procurator asked them, "Which one do you wish me to release
for you?" they said, -Barabbas." Pilate said to them, "Then what am I to do with
Jesus, the so-called Messiah?' Crucify him!" Pilate finally realized that he was
making no impression and that a riot was breaking out instead He called for water
and washed his hands in front of the crowd declaring as he did so, "I am innocent
of the blood of this just man. The responsibility is yours." The whole people said in
reply, "Let his blood be on us and on our children." At that, he released Barabbas
to them. Jesus, however, he first had scourged; then he handed him over to be
crucified.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you were sentenced to death though you were innocent. They
framed up lies against you, persecuted and punished you as if you were a
criminal. We cannot understand why you did not complain or even utter words of
self-defense. You accepted freely the punishment which you did not deserve.
Again, why, Lord? You suffered much for our sinfulness. You care for us very
much. May we learn from your meekness and humility. Help us to refrain from
tale-bearing, backbiting or any other act that will destroy the dignity of our
neighbor. Grant us the courage to speak for the truth rather than deny it. Give us
the grace to recognize you in our brothers and sisters.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

Fourth Station:
JESUS IS SCOURGED AND CROWNED WITH THORNS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (27:27-31) (cf. Mk
15:16-20; in 19:2-3)

The procurator's soldiers took Jesus inside the praetorium and collected the whole
cohort around him. They stripped of his clothes and wrapped him in a scarlet
military cloak. Weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on his head, and stuck
a reed in his right hand. They began to mock him by dropping to their knees
before him, saying, 'All hail, king of the Jews!" They also spat at him. Afterward
they took hold of the reed and kept striking him on the head. Finally, when they
had finished making a fool of him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in
his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion.
The Word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM
Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are our King, but what have we done to you? We gave
you a seat made of wood and crowned you with thorns. We scourged and
whipped you; we mocked you. But you accepted and endured all these!
Why did you bear all the punishment and insults, Lord? Because you love us so
much in spite of what we have done. We are precious to you. You want us to be
saved. And how have we responded to your love? We have turned away from you
in so many ways. We are afraid to follow you; we are afraid to lose our career or
our popularity. We turn away from our responsibilities as good Christians. We
need to learn from you to sacrifice ourselves for others. We need to learn to be
courageous enough to offer our lives for our neighbors. We need to say "No- to
the dictates of the flesh so that we can truly be your disciples. Lord, help us every
day.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

Fifth Station:
JESUS CARRIES THE CROSS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. John. (19:16-17)

Jesus was led away and carrying the cross by himself, went out to what is called
the Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you accepted your cross which was too heavy for your frail
body. We ourselves have made your cross heavy because you carried the burden
of our sins. And yet, you love us and you forgive our sins. How good you are to us.
But what have we given you in return? Help us Lord, to get out of our self-
centeredness, and learn to ease the burden of others. Grant that we may learn to
extend our kindness to all and not to a chosen few.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

Six Station:
JESUS FALLS UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

(Note: We do not have a gospel reading. The fall of Jesus can be read between the
lines.)
Passage: As he staggered along the road to Calvary, Jesus felt crushed by the
cross he was carrying on his shoulders. Much more, perhaps, he felt
overwhelmed by the savage jeering of the mob that kept insulting him as if
he were as criminal… Exhausted by the sleepless night and the tortures he
had already endured, Jesus fell to the ground under the weight of the cross
and the moral tortures he had suffered.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, because of the weight of the cross you were completely
drained of your strength. And you collapsed under the wooden cross. Yet, you
rose again. This is a lesson for us when we fall into sin: we should not remain
where we have fallen, but learn and grow from it. With your help, we will rise
from a senseless life to a life that is God-directed. We want to throw away the
things that enslave us such as gambling, drunkenness, self-indulgence and many
other vices. Like you, we will carry our own crosses patiently and rise with you
from our discouragement.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

Seventh Station:
SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (27:32) (cf. Mk 15:21; Lk
23:26)

On their way out they met a Cyrenian named Simon, the father of Alexander and
Rufus, was coming in from the fields. The soldiers pressed him into service to
carry the cross of Jesus.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord, your strength was depleted and you could no longer bear the cross
alone. The road to Calvary was still a long way and yet you struggled to reach it.
How greatly you appreciated Simon of Cyrene who helped you carry the cross
even if he did not volunteer to do it. How much more happy you were if the help
was offered freely. Let us learn to love you by standing by you. Help us to learn to
get involved when our help is needed. May we not be afraid nor reluctant to give
a helping hand. Give us inner strength and courage to do what is pleasing to God.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

 Eighth Station:
JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Luke. (23:27-31)

A great crowd of people followed him, including women who beat their breasts
and lamented over him. Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem,
do not weep for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children. The days are
coming when they will say 'happy are the sterile, the wombs that never bore and
the breasts that never nursed' Men they will begin saying to the mountains, Tall
on us,' and to the hills, rover us.' If they do these things in the green wood, what
will happen in the thy?"

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, what you said to the women of Jerusalem is also applicable to
us. Instead of crying over your sufferings, we should cry over our sins. It is a
contrite heart that will please you more than our expression of sympathy. Forgive
us for our infidelities, Lord.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

 Ninth Station:
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (27:33-35) (cf. Lk 23:34)

When they reached the place called Golgotha which means the Skull, they offered
him wine mixed with gall. Jesus tasted it but would not take it. There they
crucified him and divided his clothes among themselves, casting lots to decide
what each should take.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you were stripped of your garments by the soldiers. But your
fellow Jews "stripped" you more: they stripped you of your honor and dignity.
They mocked you and insulted you. Yet you endured all these for us. Lord, help us
to keep in mind that when we sin we are also stripping you. We are again nailing
you to the cross. May we love you more and partake of your love-offering in the
Eucharist.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

Tenth Station:
THE FORGIVEN THIEF
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Luke. (23:39-43)

One of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed him: "Aren't you the
Messiah? Then save yourself and us." But the other one rebuked him: "Have you
no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence? We deserve it, after all.
We are only paying the price for what we've done, but this man has done nothing
wrong." He then said, “Jesus remember me when you enter upon your reign.” And
Jesus replied, “I assure you! This day you will be with me in paradise.”

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, to be crucified between thieves is already an insult. But still
your fellow Jews kept on sneering and mocking at you. And yet you remained
forgiving. The thief himself experienced your forgiveness. He was lucky. But we
are luckier because we still live and we are continually being forgiven by you
when we fall into sin and repent for it. You want us to be in Paradise with you.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

 Eleventh Station:
MARY AND THE BELOVED DISCIPLE AT THE FOOT OF THE
CROSS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. John. (19:25-27)

Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, his mother's sister Mary, the wife
of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. Seeing his mother there with the disciple
whom he loved Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, there is your son." In turn he
said to the disciple, "There is your mother" From that hour onward the disciple
took her into his care.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the sight of your Mother in pain added to the pain in your
compassionate heart. Yes, Mother Mary suffered with you. For who among
mothers can bear to see her son suffer? How loving of you, Jesus, to entrust your
Mother to a close friend. There was a happy exchange of concern between the
two people you loved. And all of us benefited also from such low that you have
offered. Thank you, dear Jesus, for giving your Mother to be our Mother, too.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

 Twelfth Station:
THE DEATH OF JESUS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (27:45-50) (cf. Mk
15:33-41; Lk 23:44-49; in 19:28-30)

From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And
about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani?
that is, "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?" When some of those who
stood there heard this they said, “this man is calling on Elijah," and one of them
quickly ran to get a sponge, which he dipped in vinegar and putting it on a reed,
gave it to him to drink, "Wait," said the rest of them, “and see if Elijah will come
to save him.” But Jesus, again crying out in a loud voice, yielded up his spirit.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord, while you were hanging on the cross, you did not dwell on your
sufferings. Instead you were thinking of humankind. You cried out to God,
"Father, forgive them..." You have given us an example of pure love. We need this
reminder for, sometimes, we refuse to forgive those who offended us. Do grant
us the same forgiving heart that you have. Help us to realize that a life of love is
the best way to erase from our hearts the fear of death.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

 Thirteenth Station:
JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (27:57-61) (cf. Mk
15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56; Jn 19:38-42)

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, Joseph by name. He
was another of Jesus' disciples and had gone to request the body of Jesus.
Thereupon Pilate issued an order for its release. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped
it in fresh linen and laid it in his own new tomb which had been hewn from a
formation of rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance of the tomb
and went away. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there,
facing the tomb.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to make redemptive act become fruitful in our Your
lives. May we not be found unfaithful and unloving when death comes to claim
us.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

 Fourteenth Station:
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Response: Because your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from the holy gospel according to St. Matthew. (28:1-10) (cf. Mk 16:1-
20; Lk 24:1-53; Jn 20:1-21, 25)

After the Sabbath and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the sepulcher. And all at once there
was a violent earthquake, for the angel of the Lot-eh descending from heaven,
came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His face was like lightning, his robe
white snow. The guards were so shaken, so frightened of him, that they were like
dead men. But the angel spoke; and he said to the women, "There is no need for
you to be afraid I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not
here, for he has risen, as he said he would, come and see the place where he lay,
then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead' and now he is
going before you to Galilee; it is there where you will see him." Filled with awe
and great joy the women went quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell his
disciples. And there, coming to meet them was Jesus. "Greetings," he said. And
the women came up to him and falling down before him, clasped his feet. Then
Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave
for Galilee; they will see me there."

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: c/o YAF EXCOM

Reflection Song: c/o YAF EXCOM

Prayer: Lord Jesus, after three days, you came to life again. Your resurrection has
become the stronghold of our faith. Your resurrection witnesses to the truth that
you have saved us from our sinfulness through your death. Because of this, you
have offered us the way to the Father. You have opened for us the gate of
heaven. Help us, dear Jesus, so that we can carry our own crosses with faith and
courage. Let us make your life alive in our own so that all men and women will
see that your passion and crucifixion have not been in vain.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be (to be say in your own dialect)

CLOSING PRAYER

(Please kneel, preferably before the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.)

Leader: Lord Jesus, after having reflected on your passion, death and resurrection,
through this devotion called the Way of the Cross, we feel sorrow for our sins
which have caused you pain. We thank you Lord for being our Savior.

Response: We give you thanks, O Lord.

Leader: Thank you, Lord, for your forgiving heart.

Response: We give you thanks, O Lord.

Leader: Thank you, Lord, for preaching your love in word and in deed.

Response: We give you thanks, O Lord.

Leader: Guide and lead us, Lord, to life everlasting.

Response: Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory to the Father