Stations of the Cross By Imogen Stuart
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The Stations of the Cross in the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish of Firhouse, were carved by Imogen Stuart and are reproduced here with her kind permission. We, in the Parish of Firhouse, hope that you will benefit from meditating on the Stations of the Cross as now presented.
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Our Church is open on Sundays until approximately 1 p.m. and on weekdays following 10.00 a.m. Mass until about 12.00 noon. You are invited to visit our Church, at these times, to view the Stations should you so wish.
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1. Jesus is Condemned to Death
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Pilate washes his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man´s blood.” Then he hands over Jesus to be crucified.
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Lord, I am Pilate every time I fail to do what is right or allow injustice to happen or blame others for my failures. For the times I have washed my hands of my responsibilities, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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2. Jesus takes up the Cross
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The hands of Jesus grasp the cross as he takes upon himself my sins and the sins of all the world.
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Lord it is for love of me that you take up the cross and place it upon your bruised and bleeding shoulder. For the times I have burdened others with my selfishness, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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3. Jesus falls for the First Time
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Jesus´s foot slips on the rough cobbled street and he falls heavily to the ground, crushed beneath the weight of the cross.
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Lord, my weakness is the cause of your weakness, my fall is the cause of your fall. May your rising give me strength to rise too from my falls. For the times I have fallen or caused others to fall, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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4. Jesus meets his Mother
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Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of sorrows, meets her son on his journey and suffers with him for our salvation.
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Lord, by your compassion, your Mother took part in your work of redemption. May we too share your agony so that we can rejoice in your victory. For the times I have been indifferent to the sufferings of others, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross
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The strong hand of Simon takes some of the burden of the cross and eases the weight on the shoulders of Jesus.
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Lord, you are the creator of heaven and earth, yet you need the help of my hands to carry out your work of mercy in this world For the times I have done nothing to ease the burden of others, Lord have
mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed
the world.
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6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
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The face of Jesus remains imprinted on the towel with which Veronica wipes away his sweat and blood.
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Lord, as often as I do an act of kindness to the least of your brothers or sisters, I do it for you. For the times I failed to see you in the suffering of others, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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7. Jesus falls the Second Time
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Once again Jesus loses his footing and falls full length upon the hard unyielding street.
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Lord, you know that my heart is as hard and unyielding as the street on which you fall. Help me to weep for your sufferings. For the times I have hardened my heart against your grace, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
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The women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus. 'Weep rather for yourselves,' he tells them, 'and for your children.'
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Lord, we weep for ourselves and for our children. Spare us from the threat of war and destruction that hangs over the world. For all the hatred and cruelty in the world, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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9. Jesus falls the third time
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The hand of Jesus scarcely has the strength to lift him from the ground, yet he rises again and continues on his way.
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Lord, I am weak and helpless without you, but you give me your strength and I will move mountains. For the
times I have lost heart and been tempted to despair, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the
world.
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10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
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The soldiers strip Jesus of his garments and throw dice for the bloodstained robe he wore on the way to Calvary.
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Lord, I am too much in love with the things of this world, so worthless in comparison with the things of heaven. For the times I have set my heart on this world rather than on you, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the
world.
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11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
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The nail is hammered through the flesh of Jesus with a noise that echoes throughout the universe.
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Lord, you suffered willingly for my sake. Give me strength when I have to suffer for your sake. For my fear of having to suffer in the cause of right, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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12. Jesus dies on the cross
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'Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.' Jesus bows his head and dies.
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Lord Jesus Christ, you are my saviour and my king, you are my hope and my refuge, you are my Lord and my God. For my sins and the sins of all the world, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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13. Jesus is taken down from the cross
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Mary stood by the cross of Jesus when others had deserted him and run away.
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Now she receives his body into her loving arms.Lord, on the cross you gave us Mary your mother to be our mother too. May she love and protect us now and at the hour of our death. For the times I have failed in love towards Mary my mother, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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14. Jesus is laid in the tomb
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At rest in the tomb, Jesus awaits his resurrection, when the wounds of pain will be transformed into the wounds of glory.
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Lord the ordeal is over, the victory is won. Remember me when you come into your kingdom. For the times I have feared death and forgotten the resurrection, Lord have mercy.
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Response: We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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Copyright © Imogen Stuart