Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,

our sufferings that he endured,
while we thought of him as stricken,
as one smitten by God and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our offenses,
crushed for our sins;
upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by his stripes we were healed.
We had all gone astray like sheep,
each following his own way;
but the LORD laid upon him
the guilt of us all.

The Twelfth Station – Jesus Dies on the Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou Hast Redeemed the World.

Behold Jesus crucified!  Behold His wounds received for love of you!  His whole appearance betokens love.  His head is bent to kiss you.  His arms are extended to embrace you.  His heart is open to receive you.  Oh what love!  Jesus dies on the Cross, to preserve you from eternal death.

Most lovable Jesus, who will grant that I may die for love of Thee?  I will endeavor to die to the world and its vanities when I behold Thee on the Cross covered with wounds and crowned with thorns.  Merciful Jesus, take me into Thy wounded heart, that I may despise all perishable things, to live and die for Thee alone.

Our Father…; Hail Mary…; Glory be to the Father…

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.

R.  Have mercy on us.

Sung…Let me mingle tears with thee; Mourning Him who mourned for me; All the days that I may live.

The Thirteenth Station – Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou Hast Redeemed the World.

Jesus did not descend from the Cross, but remained on it till His death.  When taken down, He rested on the bosom of His beloved Mother as He had so often done in His life.  Persevere in your good resolutions, and do not flee from the cross. For he who perseveres till the end shall be saved.  Consider, moreover, how pure the heart should be that receives the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar.

O Lord Jesus crucified!  I most earnestly entreat Thee.  Help me do what is right and let me not be separated from Thy Cross, for on it I desire to live and to die.  Create in me, O Lord, a clean heart, that I may worthily receive Thee in Holy Communion, and that Thou mayest remain in me, and I in Thee, for all eternity.

Our Father…; Hail Mary…; Glory be to the Father…

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.

R.  Have mercy on us.

Sung…By the Cross with Thee to stay; There with Thee to weep and pray; Is all I ask of Thee to give.

The Fourteenth Station – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou Hast Redeemed the World.

The body of Jesus is laid in a stranger’s tomb.  He Who in this world had not whereon to rest His head, would have no grave of His own after death.  You whose heart is still attached to this world, despise it that you may not perish with it.

O Jesus, Thous hast singled me out from the world, what then shall I see in it?  Thou hast created me for Heaven, what then shall I desire upon earth?  Depart from me, deceitful world, with they vanities!  Henceforth I will walk the way of the Cross traced out for me by my Redeemer, and journey onward to my heavenly home, where my rest and my joy shall be forever.

Our Father…; Hail Mary…; Glory be to the Father…

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.

R.  Have mercy on us.

Sung…Virgin of all Virgins best; Listen to my fond request; Let me share they grief divine.

I apologize for not posting yesterday, but I had a lot of takeoff to do on a project I’m bidding.  I had every intention to post, but time got away from me.  Today is not a bad day to do three stations because they all relate to the pain Christ endured for us so many years ago – and still endures for us today.

Do something great for our Lord today – don’t be like His disciples, who abandoned Christ during His passion and death.  Stay awake and be with Christ today.  Do these three stations today and participate in whatever manner you need to in the services this afternoon/evening that commemorate His passion and death – all done for you.  “Suffering” through today’s services on line should only enhance what Christ suffered for you on this day.  Bear that cross, embrace that cross and participate in today’s services.  God Bless all of you who read this and participate in today’s solemn services.  St. Mary Magdalen’s services can be followed on  Instagram at @stmmchurchmass starting at 3 PM this afternoon.  This will be my last post until Monday morning.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.

Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.

But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.  Compete well for the faith.

Eternal God, in Whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion – inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and extend Your mercy in us so that in difficult moments we may not despair nor become despondent but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.