Proposed Stations

I am of the opinion that many of the standard forms for Stations of the Cross are riddled with overstatement of sentimentalism. It is very Italian in style, but it poses a problem for those of us who find that forced sentimentality creates for us a bad taste, imposing feigned emotions. We tend to feel things more deeply when they are not over stated. Therefore, for Lent, I am proposing this version, which is more Biblical and better suited to Anglican piety. I have added appropriate words of Holy Scripture as versicles and responses.

I am asking for feedback. If you find them useful, they are yours. This is modeled after the version attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. 

Preparatory Prayer
Most merciful Lord, * with a contrite heart and penitent spirit * I bow down before Thy divine Majesty. * I adore Thee as my supreme Lord and Master. * I believe in Thee, * I hope in Thee, * I love Thee above all things. * I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, * my only and supreme God. * I firmly resolve to amend my life; * and although I am unworthy to obtain mercy, * yet looking upon Thy holy Cross * I am filled with peace and consolation. * I will, therefore, meditate on Thy sufferings, * and visit the Stations * in company with Thy sorrowful Mother, * to promote Thy honor and to save my soul. * Lord  Jesus, * inflame my cold heart with Thy love, * that I may perform this devotion as perfectly as possible, * and that I may live and die in union with Thee. Amen. 

1.     Jesus is condemned to death

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
R. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

(Isa. 53:3,4)

V. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
R. O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. (Ps. 22:1,2)

O innocent Lord Jesus, * I have sinned and I am guilty of eternal death; * but that I may Live, * Thou dost gladly accept the unjust sentence of death. * For whom then shall I henceforth live * if not for Thee, my Lord? * If I desire to please men, * I cannot be Thy servant. * Let me, therefore, rather displease the whole world * than not please Thee, O Jesus my Lord! 
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

2.     Jesus is given his cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

R. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa. 53:4-6)

V. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
R. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. (Ps. 22:3,4)

My Lord Jesus, * I cannot be Thy friend and follower * if I refuse to carry my cross. Far be it from me to glory in anything * save in the Cross of my Lord and Redeemer. * By it the world shall be crucified to me, * and I to the world, * that I may be Thine forever. 

Our Father, etc.

Hail Mary, etc.

Glory be. etc.

3.     Jesus falls the first time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. I am afflicted and ready to die
R. From my youth up. (Ps. 88:15)
Beloved Lord Jesus, * Thou didst carry the burden and the heavy weight of my sins. * Should I then not bear in union with Thee * my light burden of suffering, * and accept the sweet yoke of Thy commandments? * Thy yoke is sweet and Thy burden is light. * I willingly accept it. * I will take up my cross and follow Thee. 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

4.     Jesus meets His Mother

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
R. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34,35)

V. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
R. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. (Ps. 22: 9,10)

O Lord Jesus, * O Mary blessed virgin Mother, * I am the cause of the pains that pierced your hearts. * Would that my heart might experience some of your sufferings. * O Mother, * let me share in thy sufferings and those of thy Son, * that I may obtain the grace of a happy death. 
Lord Jesus, crucified: Have mercy on us.  Is there one who would not weep, Whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold? 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

5.     Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 
V. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
R. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (Matt. 16:24,25)
Simon of Cyrene was forced to help our exhausted Savior carry His Cross.  How pleased would Jesus have been, had Simon offered his services of his own accord.  However, Simon was not invited by Christ as you are.  He says: "Take up your cross and follow Me." 
O Lord Jesus, * whosoever does not take up his cross and follow Thee, * is not worthy of Thee. * I desire to carry it with all patience until death, * that I may prove worthy of Thee. 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

6.     Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,

R. Hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 4:6)

V. He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
R. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isa. 53:2,3)

Dear Lord Jesus, * what return shall I make Thee for all Thy benefits? * Behold, I consecrate myself entirely to Thy service. * My whole heart I give to Thee; * stamp on it Thy holy image, * that I may never forget Thee. 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

7.     Jesus falls the second time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth:

R. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth (Isa. 53:7)

V. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
R. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

V. But I am a worm, and no man;

R. A reproach of men, and despised of the people. (Ps. 22:4-6)

Have mercy on me, O Lord Jesus, * and help me never to fall into my former sins. * From this moment I will strive sincerely * never to sin again. * But Thou, O Jesus, strengthen me with Thy grace, * that I may faithfully carry out my resolution. 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

8.     Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. Blessed are they that mourn:

R. For they shall be comforted. (Matt. 5:4)

V. Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me,

R. But weep for yourselves, and for your children. (Luke 23:28)

O Lord Jesus, * who shall give my eyes a torrent of tears, * that I may day and night weep over my sins? * I beseech Thee by Thy bitter and bloody tears * to move my heart, * so that tears may flow in abundance from my eyes, * and that I may weep over Thy sufferings * and over my sins until death. 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

9.     Jesus falls the third time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Most merciful Lord Jesus, * I return Thee thanks * for not permitting me to die in my sins * and fall into the abyss of Hell, * as I have deserved so often. * Enkindle in me a sincere desire to amend my life. * Let me never again fall into sin, * but grant me the grace of final perseverance. 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

10. Jesus is stripped of His garments

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

v. But I am a worm, and no man;

R. A reproach of men, and despised of the people.

V. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying,
R. He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

V. They part my garments among them,

R. And cast lots upon my vesture. (Ps. 22:6-8, 18)

Help me, O Lord Jesus, to amend my life. * Let it be renewed according to Thy will and desire. * However painful the correction may be to me, * I will not spare myself. * With the assistance of Thy grace, * I will refrain from all sinful pleasure and vain amusement, * that I may die happy and live forever. 
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
R. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
V. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
R. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
V. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
R. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me:

V. They pierced my hands and my feet.
R. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. (Ps. 22:11-17)

O Lord Jesus, * meek and patient Lamb, * I renounce forever my impatience. * Crucify, O Lord, my flesh, * with its evil desires and vices. * Correct and chasten me in this life, * and spare me in the next. * I resign myself altogether to Thy holy will. * May it be done in all things. Have mercy on us.  Let me share thy pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torment died.
Our Father,  Hail Mary,  Glory be. 

12. 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. 

V. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation?

R. For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (Isa. 53:8)

V. Into thine hand I commit my spirit:

R. Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. (Ps. 31:5)

Behold Jesus crucified!  Behold His wounds received for love of you! Oh what love!  Jesus dies on the Cross, to preserve you from eternal death. 

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 Lord 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. 

13. Jesus' body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. For my soul is full of troubles:

R. And my life draweth nigh unto the grave. (Ps.88:3)

V. Thou hast brought me

R. Into the dust of death. (Ps. 22:15)

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. 

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

V. I am counted with them that go down into the pit:

R. I am as a man that hath no strength:
V. Free among the dead,

R. Like the slain that lie in the grave.

V. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit,

R. In darkness, in the deeps. (Ps. 88:4-6)

O Lord Jesus, * Thou hast chosen me out from the world, * what then shall I seek in it? * Thou hast created me for Heaven, * what then shall I desire upon earth? * Depart from me, deceitful world, with thy 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.

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 Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Virgin Mother of God, Mary most holy.
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.

Blessed be God in His Church throughout all the world.

 WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.