Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa

THE

STATIONS OF THE

CROSS A Via Dolorosa Fr Marcus Holden

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The Stations of the Cross at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Balham, South West London, date from 1931. They were installed by the then Parish Priest, Canon William Thompson, who was Rector of Balham for more than forty years (1917 1963). Canon Thompson was known as a very spiritual man, who served for a long time as Chaplain to the Guild of the Blessed Sacrament. Each of these Stations of the Cross was paid for by a different family in the parish, no doubt many of them in memory of relatives who had died in the First World War – a plaque in the church porch records the large number of parishioners who died serving in the armed forces during that conflict.

Photographs: The Stations of the Cross, Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Balham, South West London © Sue Oakford and Jane Lyons.

All rights reserved. First published 2022 by The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society, 42-46 Harleyford Road, London SE11 5AY. Tel: 020 7640 0042. www.ctsbooks.org. © The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society.

ISBN 978 1 78469 739 6

Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Prayer before the Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The First Station - Jesus is condemned to death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Second Station - Jesus receives the Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Third Station - Jesus falls the first time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 The Fourth Station - Jesus meets his Sorrowful Mother . . . . . . . 21 The Fifth Station - Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 The Sixth Station - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus . . . . . . . . . . 29 The Seventh Station - Jesus falls the second time . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 The Eighth Station - The Women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus . . 37 The Ninth Station - Jesus falls the third time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 The Tenth Station - Jesus is stripped of his garments . . . . . . . . . 45 The Eleventh Station - Jesus is nailed to the Cross . . . . . . . . . . . 49 The Twelfth Station - Jesus dies on the Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 The Thirteenth Station - Jesus is taken down from the Cross and placed in the arms of his Mother Mary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 The Fourteenth Station - Jesus is laid in the tomb . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Prayer after the Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

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INTRODUCTION

In 2017 while on a bible study sabbatical in the Holy Land I had the opportunity to live for a few weeks on the ‘Via Dolorosa’ in Jerusalem, literally next to where Pontius Pilate had his Pretorium. Living on the ‘Way of Cross’, and daily walking the route where Our Lord carried the load of all the sins of the world, was the inspiration for writing these Stations of the Cross. After some days in Jerusalem, putting my biblical studies aside, I began to spend more and more time at each traditional ‘station’ to ponder and pray. The text that follows is the fruit of those meditations, written where the original saving actions took place and where millions of pilgrims have prayed. My hope is that these short stations can be an aid for anyone, in any place, but especially around our churches, to follow the fourteen steps of the Redeemer, to feel with Jesus in his Passion and thereby to carry our own cross alongside him.

May this ancient devotion continue to be a source of deep conversion, renewal in the spiritual life, and a powerful means of interceding for others.

Fr Marcus Holden (December 2021)

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PRAYER BEFORE THE STATIONS

L

ord Jesus Christ, as I prepare to walk the Way of the Cross with you, I beg of you the grace to make this journey a moment of spiritual conversion. I bring with me all the intentions in my heart this day. I know that what I do now was known to you then and what you did then, in your eternal sacrifice, is present to me now. Help me to realise as I walk this way that you are with me and that time and space are as nothing before God. I implore your mercy that this devotion may bring me closer to the Kingdom of Heaven, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Amen.

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9

THE FIRST STATION

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

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

R. Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

In an atmosphere of political and religious intensity, Jesus is condemned by Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judaea. He stands silently, with great composure and resignation, before a mocking crowd. Pilate has given way to pressure, and Our Lord is unjustly condemned to die a shameful and agonising death. Every face and every voice seem to condemn him, representing all humanity captivated by sin. The crowd cries out ‘Crucify him’, and the author of justice, the innocent Lamb of God, is led away as the worst and most despised of criminals. Never has the world seen such a contradiction, and never has a verdict been so unjust. He is already bruised and bloodied, and humiliated with a purple robe and crown of thorns.

In this condemnation the judgements of the world are weighed in the balance and found wanting.

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ord Jesus, you are justice itself and only in you is found the true state of innocence and righteousness.

I pray that I may always promote true justice and never merely heed the judgement of the world.

I pray for all those who today receive unfair treatment and those who are persecuted for faith in you.

I pray for all those who have a duty to make and to carry out the law, that no falsehood may sway them.

I pray that, like you, I may accept if necessary the shame of being misjudged by others in the cause of right.

I offer this all in union with your sacred Passion.

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I

love you, Jesus, my love above all things; I repent with my whole heart for having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again.

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory be.

At the Cross, her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last.