Stations of the Cross is a devotion used during the Season of Lent. There are 14 icons placed around the Church, the so-called Stations, which depict the Passion of our Lord.
Preparation Prayers
Lord's Prayer
OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Let us Pray.
First Collect for Good Friday
ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
℣. God forbid that I should glory.
℟. Save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Station 1: Jesus is condemned to death
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: John 19:13-16
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. God spared not his own Son.
℟. But Delivered him up for us all.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Station 2: Jesus Takes up His Cross
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: John 19:17
They took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
℟. For the transgression of his people was he stricken.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for Monday in Holy Week in the American Prayer Book
ALMIGHTY God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 3: Jesus falls for the first time
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. Surely he hath borne our griefs.
℟. And carried our sorrows.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
O GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 4: Jesus meets His Mother
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Lamentations 2:13
What thing shall I take to witness for thee? What thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: Who can heal thee?
Silence shall be kept.
℣. A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.
℟. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for the Annunciation
WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 5: The Cross is Laid on Simon of Cyrene
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Mark 15:21
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. Whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me.
℟. Cannot be my disciple.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for Passiontide from the Scottish Prayer Book
O God, whose blessed Son did overcome death for our salvation: Mercifully grant that we, who have his glorious passion in remembrance, may take up our cross daily and follow him; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 6: A Woman Wipes the Face of Jesus
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Isaiah 53:2b-5
He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs,and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts.
℟. Show us the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany in the American Prayer Book
O God, who before the passion of thy only‑begotten Son didst reveal his glory upon the holy mount: Grant unto us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Station 7: Jesus Falls for the Second Time
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. But as for me, I am a worm and no man.
℟. A very scorn of men, and the outcast of my people.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for Palm Sunday
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 8: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Luke 23:27-30
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. They that sow in tears.
℟. Shall reap in joy.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for Ash Wednesday
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 9: Jesus Falls for the Third Time
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Hebrews 10:5-10
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter.
℟. And like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
KEEP, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 10: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Matthew 27:35
They divided his garments among them by casting lots: then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. They gave me gall to eat.
℟. And when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
Then the Minister shall pray:
A Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Lent from the Church of England
O LORD GOD, whose blessed Son our Saviour gave his back to the smiters and did not hide his face from shame: give us grace to endure the sufferings of this present time with sure confidence in the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 11: Jesus is Nail to the Cross
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Mark 15:27-28
And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. I, if I be lifted up.
℟. Will draw all men unto me.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for Holy Cross Day from the Church of England
O GOD, who by the passion of thy blessed Son hast made the instrument of shameful death to be unto us the means of life and peace Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss; for the sake of the same thy Son our Lord. Amen.
Station 12: Jesus Dies on the Cross
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: Mark 15:37-39
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. Christ for our sake became obedient unto death.
℟. Even the death of the Cross.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for the Easter Vigil from the American Prayer Book
O God, who for our redemption didst give thine only‑begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through the same thy Son Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 13: The Body of Jesus is Placed in the Arms of His Mother
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: John 19:25b
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many Israel.
℟. And a sword will pierce through your own soul also.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for the Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity
GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace; that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Station 14: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
℣. O Saviour of the world who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed.
℟. Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The Lesson: John 19:38-42
And after this Joseph of Arimathæa, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Silence shall be kept.
℣. Thou shalt not leave my soul in hell.
℟. Neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
Then the Minister shall pray:
Collect for Easter Even
GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that, through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Concluding Prayers
A Collect from Sext
BLESSED Saviour, who didst hang upon the Cross, stretching out thy loving arms: grant that all the nations of the earth may look unto thee and be saved; for thy tender mercies' sake. Amen.
A Collect from the Irish service of Compline
O LORD Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who at this evening hour didst rest in the sepulchre, and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to thy people: make us so to abound in sorrow for our sins, which were the cause of thy passion, that when our bodies lie in the dust, our souls may live with thee: who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God world without end. Amen.
A Collect from the Canadian Prayer Book
ALMIGHTY Father, who of thy great love to men didst give thy dearly beloved Son to die for us; Grant that through his Cross our sins may be put away, and remembered no more against us, and that, cleansed by his Blood, and mindful of his sufferings, we may take up our cross daily, and follow him in newness of life, until we come to his everlasting kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.