​Franciscan Way of the Cross

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The Franciscan Way Of The Cross
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Franciscan Way Of The Cross

Current Superiores, ut pium Viae Crucis exercitium feria VI, vel alia hebdomanae die, numquam a Communitate omittatur; quod etiam loco meditationis vespertinae haberi poterit.
 
Let the superiors take care that the devout exercise of the Way of the Cross never be omitted from Community on Friday or another day of the week. The [Way of the Cross] may also be celebrated in place of the evening meditation.
 
Const. No. 214 (translation from Latin)
Photo credits: © Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR All Rights Reserved
St. Francis Holding Crucified Christ – Holy Spirit Friary Courtyard, Steubenville OH
Stations of the Cross mosaics – St. Francis Friary Chapel, Loretto PA
Text: Original Source Unknown
Preparatory Prayer
 
O most merciful Jesus! With a contrite heart and a penitent spirit I bow down in profound humility, before Your Divine Majesty. I adore You as my Supreme Lord and Master; I believe in You, I hope in You, I love You above all things. I am heartily sorry for having offended You, my supreme and only Good. I resolve to amend my life; and although I am unworthy to obtain mercy, yet the sight of Your holy Cross, on which You did die, inspires me with hope and consolation. I will, therefore, meditate on Your sufferings, and visit the stations of Your bitter passion in company with Your sorrowful Mother and my guardian angel, with the intention of promoting Your honor and saving my soul.
 
I desire to gain all the indulgences granted for this holy exercise: a plenary one for myself, and all others for the souls in purgatory.
 
O merciful Redeemer, Who has said: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself," draw my heart and my love to You, that I may perform this devotion as perfectly as possible, and that I may live and die in union with You. Amen.

First Station

  Jesus is Condemned To Death
 
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
 
Jesus, most innocent, who neither did nor could commit a sin, was condemned to death, and, moreover, to the most shameful death of the Cross. To remain a friend of Caesar, Pilate delivered Him into the hands of His enemies. A fearful crime – to condemn Innocence to death, and to offend God in order not to displease men.
 
Prayer: O innocent Jesus, having sinned, I am guilty of eternal death, but You willingly did accept the unjust sentence of death, that I might live. For whom, then, shall I henceforth live, if not for You, my Lord? Should I desire to please men, I could not be Your servant. Let me, therefore, rather displease men, and all the world, than not please You, O Jesus.
 
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory to…
 
V. Lord Jesus crucified.
R. Have mercy on us.
 
For the complete Franciscan Way of the Cross, see download link at top of page.