Pray the stations / by Basil R. Reuss. Pra uj fh& s ti'ori S CShafi Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/praystationsbybareus tk StatiofU By The Reverend Basil R. Reuss Canon Regular of the Order of Premontre Nihil obstat: Jos. A. Bartelme Censor Librorum. Cum permissu superiorum, Imprimi potest : B. H. Pennings, Ord. Praem. Abbas, Abbatiae Sancti Norberti Imprimatur: fStanislaus V. Bona Episcopus Sinus Viridis. Sept. 20, 1950 Green Bay, Wis. Eighth Printing January, 1962 - 2 - - FOREWORD - The catechism definition of "prayer" is clear: "to lift the mind and heart to God " The words uttered vocally are unimportant except insofar as they correspond to and describe what is actually taking place in the mind and the heart, or perhaps, incite the mind and heart. Our Lord condemned the Pharisees pre- cisely because they did not comprehend this fundamental truth: "These men," He said, "honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me." The traditional devotion of the Way of the Cross has been for centuries a powerful aid to real prayer: the imagination quickly and with ease recalls and pictures the scenes of His sacred passion, the mind reflects on the great truths of the Redemption of mankind, the heart is drawn to respond to His great love, and thus the human will is urged to demon- strate love and gratitude by concrete practice in the daily lives of those who generously and sincerely follow the "Stations." The brief meditations which follow are sug- gestive — not definitive. The main thing is to put heart, mind and will into an earnest, honest, industrious effort to PRAY THE STATIONS - 3 - PRAYER OF PREPARATION (Priest and People) 0 my God, * I am heartily sorry * for having offended Thee; I detest all my sins * because I dread the loss of hea- ven * and the pains of hell, * but most of all * because by them * I have offended Thee, * Who are so good * and deserving of all my love. 1 beg of Thee * the grace to pray this Way of the Cross * so that I may more deeply appreciate * Thy love for me; * so that I may come * more and more * to have a horror and hatred for sin; * so that I may strive harder and harder to manifest in my own life * the virtues exemplified by my suffering Jesus * so that I may be moved * to love Thee with all my heart. I desire to gain * the rich indulgences of this devotion * and offer them for the Poor Souls, * especially for N. At the cross her station keeping. Stood the mournful Mother weeping Close to Jesus to the last. - 4 - The First Station: JESUS IS CONDEMNED BY PILATE TO DIE ON THE CROSS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus * standing silent before Pilate, * in the face of unjust accusa- tions, * false witnesses, * malice and venom; * while Pilate excuses himself for his cowardly condemnation * of the One Whom he himself calls * a "Just Man"! O Lord, help me * to be more like Thee * and less like Pilate. * God, grant me the grace * to control my tongue. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Through her heart. His sorrow sharing. All his bitter anguish bearing. Now at length the sword had pass'd. - 5 - The Second Station: JESUS IS MADE TO CARRY THE CROSS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see the heavy cross * placed on the shoulders of Jesus, * and still He re- mains silent * and uncomplaining. * I remember my own impatience and re- bellion * against comparatively trifling' difficulties * and the little trials * I have been permitted to bear. O Lord, help me * to be more like Thee * and less like my weak self. * Grant me the grace * to be patient in adversity. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Oh, how sad and sore distress'd Was that Mother, highly blest Of the sole-begotten One! - 6 - The Third Station: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus * fall under the burden of His cross * and remember that He is carrying * "the weight of the sins of the world." * I think now of how remiss * and careless * I have been in thought- lessly falling * again and again * into sin * as though it were of no conse- quence. O Lord, help me * to remember al- ways * how terrible every sin really is. * Grant me the grace to have a keen horror * of all wrong-doing. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Christ above in torment hangs; She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying glorious Son. - 7 - The Fourth Station: JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus meeting His sorrowful mother * and notice especially * how deep is the understanding between Them * — so profound that no words * or assurances are necessary * for either of Them. O Lord, help me * to be like Thee * in my family relationship. * Grant me the grace * to be gentle, * sympathetic, * loving * and understanding * in my home. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Is there one who would not weep Whelm'd in miseries so deep Christ's dear Mother to behold? - 8 - The Fifth Station: SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS TO CARRY HIS CROSS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Simon of Cyrene * forced to help Jesus * and recall how reluctant, * resentful * and unwilling * I, too, have been * in serving my Creator. O Lord, help me * to be more like Thee, * especially willing and gener- ous. * Grant me the grace * to be cheerful * in my service of Thee. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain In that Another's pain untold? - 9 - The Sixth Station: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Veronica * rewarded for her thoughtful kindness * by having His likeness * imprinted on her towel. O Lord, help me * to be more like Thee. * Good, * generous, * loving Jesus, * help me to respond to Thy graces * and mercies * with genuine gratitude. * Grant me the grace * nev- er to fall into the sin of ingratitude * either of Thee * or to man. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd She beheld her tender child: All with bloody scourges rent. - 10 - The Seventh Station: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus * fall the second time * and remember how often * I have fall- en again and again * into the same offences, * increasing the weight of His Cross. O Lord, help me * to be more like Thee, * self-controlled and mortified. * Grant me the grace * to discipline my unruly will. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! For the sins of His own nation. Saw Him hang in desolation. Till His spirit forth He sent. - 11 - The Eighth Station: JESUS MEETS THE WEEPING WOMEN OF JERUSALEM (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I hear Jesus * speak to the weeping women; * the only words uttered by Him * on this journey from Pilate's court to Calvary, * and they are a call to penance: * "Weep not for Me, * but for yourselves and your children." * O Lord, help me * to avoid senti- mentality * and emotionalism * and to engender a deep, * profound, * serious * spirit of penance. * Grant me the grace * to persevere in sorrow for my offences against Thee. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! O thou Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above; Make my heart with thine accord. - 12 - The Ninth Station: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus * fall for the third time * and remember the crushing burden * was not the weight of His cross * but the sins of mankind. O Lord, grant me * the strength to continue my fight for virtue. * Please help me especially * in my efforts to overcome * habitual sins. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ our Lord. - 13 - The Tenth Station: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus * stripped of His gar- ments. * It was as though He wanted us * to see that no material thing * could mount the Cross with Him. O Lord, * free me from all sinful attachment to created things. * Help me to avoid * searching after human consolations * and let me find my strength in Thee. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Holy Motherl pierce me through; In my heart each wound renew Of my Saviour crucified. - 14 - The Eleventh Station: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus * nailed to the cross * and I am trying to appreciate * the painful, * agonizing * suffering of His Passion. O Lord, Jesus, * help me to be like Thee * in courageously bearing with trials and grievances. * Teach me to cease all resentment * complaint * and rebellion. * Let me learn to say * from the bottom of my heart, * "Thy will be done." Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Let me share with thee His pain Who for all my sins was slain Who for me in torments died. - 15 - The Twelfth Station: JESUS DIES UPON THE CROSS (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus, * dead on the cross. * His work as True Man is completed, * the redemption of fallen man has been achieved, * but the price of our salva- tion * has been the last drop of His Precious Blood. O Lord, grant me * the grace to be constantly aware * of my continuing debt to Thee. * Fill me * with such a clear understanding of Thy goodness * that I may love Thee * even more than life itself. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Let me mingle tears with thee Mourning Him who mourn'd for me. All the days that I may live. - 16 - The Thirteenth Station: JESUS IS LAID IN THE ARMS OF HIS BLESSED MOTHER (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross. Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see the lifeless body of Jesus * placed in the arms of His Mother * and the realization comes home to me * that I, too, * hold and carry this Precious Burden * at every Holy Communion * not His lifeless body, * but the Real, * Actual, * True, * Substance of my Saviour. O Lord, let me never forget * the reality of Thy Eucharistic Presence. * Dear God, * enkindle a flame of fervor * in my heart * especially at every Communion with Thee. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! By the cross with thee to stay. There with thee to weep and pray. Is all I ask of thee to give. - 17 - The Fourteenth Station: JESUS IS LAID IN THE HOLY SEPULCHRE (Priest) We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. (People) Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. (Priest and People) I see Jesus * laid in the tomb, * the earthly terminus * of every human body * but only to await there * the glory of His Resurrection. O Lord, teach me * to think deeply * on the great truths * which Thou has graciously revealed; * let my faith in Thee be profound, * intelligent, * dy- namic. * Please help me to live * so that my faith will motivate my conduct al- ways * until I too, * am laid to rest * to await the resurrection of my body; * Let me live in, * by, * and with Thee * for all eternity. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. (Priest) Lord Jesus Crucified! (People) Have Mercy on us! Virgin of all virgins best. Listen to my fond request: Let me share thy grief divine. - 18 - PRAYER BEFORE THE TABERNACLE O Lord Jesus, I thank Thee * for the opportunity * of praying these Stations. * Help me to remember * the inspira- tions which Thou has permitted me to experience. * Let me live exemplifying * the spirit and virtues of Thy Passion: * in control of my tongue, * in patience, * mortification, * self-discipline, * unself- ishly gentle * and understanding. * Keep me close to Thee! Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, help me. May the Divine Assistance remain al- ways with us. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. - 19 - - AFTERWORD - Especially during the holy Lenten Season, generous souls may be anxious to "practice" some particular exercise of virtue. It is in order, therefore, to suggest methodical, systematic, concen- trated effort to acquire the virtues of the Passion: — 1st week — Patience and cheerful- ness. 2nd week — Gentleness. Sympathetic understanding in dealing with others. 3rd week — Control of the tongue. 4th week — Detachment and unself- ishness. 5th week — Humility. Resignation to God's Holy Will. $th week — Mortification of the flesh — purity. - 20 - O SALUTARIS HOSTIA O salutaris Hostia, Quae coeli pandis ostium, Bella premunt hostilia; Da robur fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria, Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in patria. TANTUM ERGO Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui; Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui: Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori Genitoque Laus et jubilatio, Salus honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio: Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. Priest: Panem de coelo praestitisti eis. People: Omne delectamentum in se ha- bentem. -21 - THE DIVINE PRAISES Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacra- ment of the Altar. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste Spouse. Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. - 22 - PRAYERS TO JESUS CRUCIFIED O God, Who for our sake didst will Thy Son to undergo the torments of the Cross, that Thou mightest drive far from us the power of the enemy; grant unto us Thy servants that we may attain to the grace of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen (Roman Missal) An indulgence of 5 years. A plenary indulgence once a month under the usual conditions for the daily recitation of this prayer (S. P. Ap., Nov. 22, 1934). O God, Who didst will to hallow the standard of the life-giving Cross by the Prec- ious Blood of Thine only-begotten Son; grant, we beseech Thee, that they who rejoice in honoring the same holy Cross, may rejoice also in Thine ever-present protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (Roman Missal) An indulgence of 5 years. A plenary indulgence under the usual conditions when this prayer has been devoutly said every day for a month (S. P. Ap., Feb. 7, 1935). Assist us, O Lord our God; and defend us evermore by the might of Thy holy Cross, in whose honor Thou makest us to rejoice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Roman Missal) An indulgence of 5 years. A plenary indulgence once a month under the usual conditions, when it has been recited daily with devout dispositions (S. P. Ap., Sept. 14, 1934). - 23 - O God, Who for the redemption of the world didst will to be born amongst men, to be circumcised, to be rejected by the Jews, to be betrayed by the traitor Judas with a kiss, to be bound with cords, to be led to slaughter as an innocent lamb, to be shamelessly ex- posed to the gaze of Annas, Caiphas, Pilate and Herod, to be accused by false witnesses, to be tormented by scourges and insults, defiled with spitting, crowned with thorns, smitten with blows, struck with a reed, blind- folded, stripped of Thy garments, fastened to the Cross with nails, lifted on the Cross, reck- oned among thieves, given gall and vinegar to drink and wounded with a spear; do Thou, O Lord, by these Thy most holy sufferings, upon which I unworthily meditate, and by Thy holy Cross and death, deliver me from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to bring me where Thou didst bring the penitent thief who was crucified with Thee, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be (five times). An indulgence of 3 years. A plenary indulgence under the usual conditions. If this prayer is said with devotion daily for an entire month (S. C. Ind., Aug. 25, 1820; S. P. Ap., Oct. 6, 1933). BOX 192 DE PERE, WISCONSIN