How to Pray the Way of the Cross
The main thing about this prayer, is to reflect on the scenes at each station. Consider what Jesus endured for our sake. And consider that at any time, being Almighty God, He could have simply said "stop, enough", been healed and walked away.
Many people have suffered, and many people have suffered to the point of death. But none had so ready a way, or even so many ways - to avoid it. In the history of wars, heroes have given their lives for others. In the history of love, people have sacrificed their lives for those they've loved. And Jesus recognises the significance of such sacrifice:
John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life on behalf of his friends"
But usually, once such people entered on the path to death, there was no way back. But for Jesus there was always and at every moment a way out. Yet He Himself had said:
Luke 9:62 “Anyone who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.”
And so it was that Jesus went suffering to the cross. Now that's true-grit, and true-love. Let's admire our Saviour, and be grateful for what He did for us. Let's learn to love Him, and try to love like He does. Let's acknowledge our shortcomings and wrong-doings and call them 'sin'. Let's bring them to the Lord and out of love for Love incarnate, let's repent. Let's allow His grace into our lives. And let's play our part in the life of His mystical body - the Church.
The traditional way
Since the 18th Century, Christians have used the following formula:
First, so as to orient your prayer well, make the sign of the cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Then recite the Apostle's creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Then at each station say:
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.
Then meditate for a while upon the scene for that particular station of the Cross.
Pray for a relevant intention, and finish with:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
And go on to the next station.
At the very end, how about a concluding prayer. Perhaps in your own words? Or perhaps the Lord's prayer? And then take the experience with you into your daily life. It will prompt you to something good: perhaps first to the sacrament of reconciliation? Perhaps to better love your neighbour? Perhaps to pray more?..
Top of page 
Menu Start of narrative
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence
