The Stationsof the Cross

1.

Jesus is condemned to death

Jesus, Hēhu is accused of wrong doing that he is innocent of

We pray for the silent – let us hear their needs and forgive us for the times we have not spoken out for others

2..

Jesus takes up his cross

God, Te Atua created everything onearth. The cross came from a tree – God did not create a tree for that!

We pray that we use the resources God, Te Atua has given us for good

3.

Jesus falls the first timeJesus, Hēhu loses his balance or he is tripped up – the cross is heavy

We pray that we will reach out to help others in need to carry their heavy burdens

4.

Jesus meets his mother

Mere Takakau, Mary, must have been hurting too to see her son’s pain, but she knew he had to suffer

We pray for courage to know and accept God’s will

5.

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross

Jesus, Hēhu experiences the povertyof not being able to carry his burden alone

E te Ariki, Lord we pray for all those who support others who are weighed down by their troubles

6.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Hēhu, Jesus faces rejection, abuse and injustice as an outcast, but Veronica is unafraid and wipes Jesus’ face

We pray that we may be able to help others in their agony and pain and find practical ways to bring comfort to them

7.

Jesus falls the second timeHēhu, Jesus is getting weaker, this fall is harder and more painful

Lord, E te Ariki we pray to rise from our own falls along life’s journey and to gain strength to go forward in solidarity with others in need

8.

The women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus

The women had seen Jesus’ compassion and welcomed hiswords of healing and freedom

E Hēhu Karaiti, Christ Jesus help us to love, encourage and support those in need

9.

Jesus falls the third time

Jesus, E Hēhu you are crushed by the weight of the cross, yet still you carry on

Help us always to respond to humansuffering with sincerity and courage and inspire nations to act with justice

10.

Jesus is stripped of his garmentsHēhu, Jesus has the security of his clothing that protects him taken away, he is vulnerable and has nodefence

E te Ariki, Lord, even in destitution you are there. Help us to bring dignity and respect to those who struggle with basic needs

11.

Jesus is nailed to the crossThe weight of Jesus’ life hangs on those nails. He struggles to pull himself up to breathe. His life is slipping away

E te Ariki, E te Ariki, Lord bless the poor who are nailed to crosses of poverty due to the unjust behaviour of others

12.

Jesus dies on the cross

This is a time to express our deepest feelings

E Te Wairua Tapu, Holy Spirit, you are there even in the midst of death and destruction, help us to deal with the difficulty of loss of life

13.

Jesus is taken downfrom the cross

The cross is central in our Christian lives, from which great graces come

E Hēhu Karaiti, Christ Jesus, you bringlife out of death and open newhorizons of hope for the world

14.

Jesus is laid in the tomb

We pause to contemplate this actof closure on his life. In solidarity with all humanity, his body is taken to its grave

E te Atua, God, I ask Jesus, whose hands, feet and side still bear the signs of this journey, to grant me the graces I need to take up my cross to be able to serve others

15.

Jesus is risenHēhu, Jesus is alive - the body of Christ lives today

Take time to thank God for your life

E te Atua, you are the God who brings life out of death

Through our prayers and actions may we bring hope to the world

Photos are supplied by Adrian Heke, Phil Gibbs and the staff of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand from various projects we are involved in supporting around the Pacific and the world.

The photoopposite is from St. Anthony’s church in Seatoun, Wellington.