At St Michael's we are blessed with a set of 14 carved Stations which focus our thoughts during Passion Week and which we share with you here:

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death,
Take my mind, my memory,
above all my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

To pray the way of the cross requires only that you meditate before each station.

Before each station you may say:

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross,
you have redeemed the world.

After each station you may say an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...

1 - Jesus condemned

Pilate brought Jesus outside and said to the people, "Look at your king!"

At this they shouted,"Away with him! Crucify him!"

Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.

2 - Jesus carries his cross

Jesus was led away,
and carrying the Cross by himself,
went out to what is called
the Place of the Skull, Golgotha.

3 - Jesus falls

Jesus emptied himself,
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
He humbled himself,
to death and a Cross.

4 - Jesus meets his mother

Simeon said to Mary his mother:
"This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed. And you yourself shall be pierced with a sword, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be laid bare."

5 - Simon helps carry the cross

A man named Simon of Cyrene, was coming in from the fields, and they pressed him into service to carry the Cross.

6 - Veronica wipes Jesus's face

He who welcomes you welcomes me; and he who welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me. And I promise that whoever gives a cup of cold water will not want for a reward.

7 - Jesus falls a second time

But I am a worm and no man; the scorn of all, despised by the people. All who see me scoff at me.

8 - Jesus meets the women

A great crowd of people followed him,including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him.

9 - Jesus falls a third time

I am like water poured out;
all my bones are racked.
You have brought me down to the dust of death.

10 - Jesus is stripped

They stripped off his clothes
and began to mock him saying:
"All hail, king of the Jews!"

11 - Jesus is nailed to the cross

After carrying his Cross, Jesus came to the
Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).
There they crucified him and two others with him.

12 - Jesus dies

Jesus said, "I thirst!"
and they gave him wine.

"It is finished"!" he cried,
and gave up his spirit.

13 - Jesus is taken down from the cross

When the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and blood and water flowed out.

14 - Jesus is buried

Joseph of Arimethea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus, and wrapped it in perfumed oils. Then he buried Jesus in a tomb close at hand.

Jesus rises

On the third day he rose again.