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St. Faustina's

Way of the Cross

2 www.ourladyofbethesda.org

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OpeningPrayerAll:MercifulLord,myMaster,IwanttofollowYoufaithfully.IwanttoimitateYouinmylifeinanevermoreperfectway.ThatiswhyIaskthatbymeditatingonYourPassion,Youwouldgrantmethegraceofadeeperunderstandingofthemysteriesofthespirituallife.Mary,MotherofMercy,alwaysfaithfultoChrist,leadmeinthefootstepsofthesorrowfulPassionofyourSonandaskformethenecessarygracesforafruitfulmakingofthisWayoftheCross.SungVerse:(*SungVersestakenfromthehymnSTABATMATER.)AtthecrossherstationkeepingStoodthemournfulMotherweepingClosetoJesustothelast.

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FirstStation:JesusIsCondemnedtoDieGuide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:ThechiefpriestsandtheentireSanhedrinkepttryingtoobtainfalsetestimonyagainstJesusinordertoputHimtodeath,buttheyfoundnone,thoughmanyfalsewitnessescameforward(Matthew26:59-60).Jesus:(Guide)Donotbesurprisedthatyouaresometimesunjustlyaccused.IMyselffirstdrankthiscupofundeservedsufferingforloveofyou(289).WhenIwasbeforeHerod,Iobtainedagraceforyou;namely,thatyouwouldbeabletoriseabovehumanscornandfollowfaithfullyinMyfootsteps(1164).S.Faustina:(People)Wearesensitivetowordsandquicklywanttoanswerback,withouttakinganyregardastowhetheritisGod’swillthatweshouldspeak.Asilentsoulisstrong;noadversitieswillharmitifitperseveresinsilence.ThesilentsouliscapableofattainingtheclosestunionwithGod(477).All:MercifulJesus,helpmetoknowhowtoaccepteveryhumanjudgmentanddonotallowmeevertorenderacondemnatoryjudgmentonYouinmyneighbors.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:Throughherheart,HissorrowsharingAllHisbitteranguishbearingNowatlengththeswordhaspassed.

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SecondStation:JesusCarriesHisCross

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:ThenPilatetookJesusandhadHimscourged.AndthesoldierswoveacrownoutofthornsandplaceditonHishead,andclothedHiminapurplecloak,andtheycametoHimandsaid,“Hail,KingoftheJews!”SoJesuscameout,wearingthecrownofthornsandthepurplecloak.AndPilatesaidtothem,“Behold,theman!”WhenthechiefpriestsandtheguardssawHimtheycriedout,“CrucifyHim,crucifyHim!”(John19:1-6).Jesus:(Guide)Donotbeafraidofsufferings;Iamwithyou(151).Themoreyouwillcometolovesuffering,thepureryourloveforMewillbe(279).S.Faustina:(People)Jesus,IthankYouforthelittledailycrosses,foroppositiontomyendeavors,forthehardshipsofcommunallife,forthemisinterpretationofmyintentions,forhumiliationsatthehandsofothers,fortheharshwayinwhichwearetreated,forfalsesuspicions,forpoorhealthandlossofstrength,forself-denial,fordyingtomyself,forlackofrecognitionineverything,fortheupsettingofallmyplans(343).All:MercifulJesus,teachmetovaluelife’stoil,sick-nesses,andeverysuffering,andwithlovetocarrymydailycrosses.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:O,howsadandsoredistressedWasthatMotherhighlyblessedofthesoleBegottenOne.

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ThirdStation:JesusFallstheFirstTime

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:Wehadallgoneastraylikesheep,eachfollowinghisownway;ButtheLordlaiduponHimtheguiltofusall(Isaiah53:6,12).Jesus:(Guide)InvoluntaryoffensesofsoulsdonothinderMyloveforthemorpreventMefromunitingMyselfwiththem.Butvoluntaryoffenses,eventhesmallest,obstructMygraces,andIcannotlavishMygiftsonsuchsouls(1641).S.Faustina:(People)MyJesus,despiteYourgraces,Iseeandfeelallmymisery...OmyJesus,howproneIamtoevil,andthisforcesmetobeconstantlyvigilant.ButIdonotloseheart.ItrustGod’sgrace,whichaboundsintheworstmisery(606).All:MercifulLord,preservemefromevery,eventhetiniestbutvoluntaryandconsciousinfidelity.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:Isthereonewhowouldnotweep,WhelmedinmiseriessodeepChrist’sdearMothertobehold?

FourthStation:JesusMeetsHisSorrowfulMother

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:Behold,thischildisdestinedforthefallandriseofmanyinIsrael,andtobeasignthatwillbecontradictedsothatthethoughtsofmanyheartsmayberevealed.Andyouyourselfaswordwillpierce(Luke2:34-35).

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Jesus:(Guide)AlthoughalltheworksthatcomeintobeingbyMywillareexposedtogreatsufferings,considerwhetheranyofthemhasbeensubjecttogreaterdifficultiesthanthatworkwhichisdirectlyMine—theworkofRedemption.Youshouldnotworrytoomuchaboutadversities.(1643).S.Faustina:(People)IsawtheBlessedVirgin,unspeakablybeautiful.Sheheldmeclosetoherselfandsaidtome,IamMothertoyouall,thankstotheunfathomablemercyofGod.MostpleasingtomeisthatsoulwhichfaithfullycarriesoutthewillofGod.Becourageous.Donotfearapparentobstacles,butfixyourgazeuponthePassionofmySon,andinthiswayyouwillbevictorious(449).All:Mary,MotherofMercy,benearmealways,especiallyinsufferingasyouwereonyourSon’swayofthecross.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:CanthehumanheartrefrainFrompartakinginherpainInthatMother’spainuntold?

FifthStation:SimonHelpsJesusCarryHisCross

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:AstheyledHimawaytheytookholdofacertainSimon,aCyrenian,whowascominginfromthecountry;andafterlayingthecrossonhim,theymadehimcarryitbehindJesus(Luke23:26).

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Jesus:(Guide)WritethatbydayandbynightMygazeisfixeduponhim,andIpermittheseadversitiesinordertoincreasehismerit.IdonotrewardforgoodresultsbutforthepatienceandhardshipundergoneforMysake(86).S.Faustina:(People)Jesus,Youdonotgivearewardforthesuccessfulperformanceofawork,butforthegoodwillandthelaborundertaken.Therefore,Iamcompletelyatpeace,evenifallmyundertakingsandeffortsshouldbethwartedorshouldcometonaught.IfIdoallthatisinmypower,therestisnotmybusiness(952).All:Jesus,myLord,letmyeverythought,word,anddeedbeundertakenexclusivelyoutofloveforYou.Keeponcleansingmyintentions.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:LetmesharewiththeeHispainWhoforallmysinswasslain,Whoformeintormentsdied.

SixthStation:VeronicaWipestheFaceofJesusGuide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:Hegrewuplikeasaplingbeforehim,likeashootfromtheparchedearth;TherewasinHimnostatelybearingtomakeuslookatHim,noappearancethatwouldattractustoHim.Hewasspurnedandavoidedbymen,amanofsuffering,accustomedtoinfirmity.Oneofthosefromwhommenhidetheirfacesspurned,andweheldHiminnoesteem(Isaiah53:2-3).Jesus:(Guide)Knowthatwhatevergoodyoudotoanysoul,IacceptitasifyouhaddoneittoMe(1768).S.Faustina:(People)

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IamlearninghowtobegoodfromJesus,fromHimwhoisgoodnessitself,sothatImaybecalleda[child]oftheheavenlyFather(669).Greatlovecanchangesmallthingsintogreatones,anditisonlylovewhichlendsvaluetoouractions(303).All:LordJesus,myMaster,grantthatmyeyes,myhands,mylipsandmyheartmayalwaysbemerciful.Transformmeintomercy.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:Letmemingletearswiththee,MourningHimwhomournedforme,AllthedaysthatImaylive.

SeventhStation:JesusFallstheSecondTime

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:YetitwasourinfirmitiesthatHebore,oursufferingsthatHeendured,whilewethoughtofHimasstricken,asonesmittenbyGodandafflicted(Isaiah53:4).Jesus:(Guide)ThecauseofyourfallsisthatyourelytoomuchuponyourselfandtoolittleonMe.Butletthisnotsaddenyousomuch.YouaredealingwiththeGodofmercy(1488).Knowthatofyourselfyoucandonothing(639).WithoutspecialhelpfromMe,youarenotevencapableofacceptingMygraces(738).S.Faustina:(People)Jesus,donotleavemealoneinsuffering.Youknow,Lord,howweakIam.Iamanabyssofwretchedness,Iamnothingnessitself;sowhatwillbesostrangeifYouleavemealoneandIfall?(1489).SoYou,Jesus,muststandbymeconstantlylikeamotherbyahelplesschild—andevenmoreso(264).

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All:MayYourgraceassistme,Lord,thatImaynotkeepfallingcontinuouslyintothesamefaults;andwhenIfall,helpmetoriseandglorifyYourmercy.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:Makemefeelasthouhastfelt;MakemysoultoglowandmeltWiththeloveofChristmyLord.

EighthStation:JesusMeetstheWomenofJerusalemGuide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:AlargecrowdofpeoplefollowedJesus,includingmanywomenwhomournedandlamentedHim.Jesusturnedtothemandsaid,“DaughtersofJerusalem,donotweepforMe;weepinsteadforyourselvesandforyourchildren(Luke23:27-28).Jesus:(Guide)OhowpleasingtoMeislivingfaith!(1420).Tellall,thatIdemandthattheyliveinthespiritoffaith(353).S.Faustina:(People)IferventlybegtheLordtostrengthenmyfaith,sothatinmydrab,everydaylifeIwillnotbeguidedbyhumandispositions,butbythoseofthespirit.Oh,howeverythingdragsmantowardstheearth!Butlivelyfaithmaintainsthesoulinthehigherregionsandassignsself-loveitsproperplace;thatistosay,thelowestone(210).All:MercifulLord,IthankYouforholyBaptismandthegraceoffaith.Continuously,Icall:Lord,Ibelieve,increasemyfaith.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:

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ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:OthouMother!Fountoflove!Touchmyspiritfromabove,Makemyheartwiththineaccord.

NinthStation:JesusFallstheThirdTime

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:ThoughHewasharshlytreated,HesubmittedandopenednotHismouth.Likealambledtotheslaughterorasheepbeforetheshearers,HewassilentandopenednotHismouth.Oppressedandcondemned,thoughHehaddonenowrongnorspokenanyfalsehood.ButtheLordwaspleasedtocrushHimininfirmity.BecauseofHisafflictionHeshallseethelightinfullnessofdays(Isaiah53:7-10).Jesus:(Guide)Mychild,knowthatthegreatestobstaclestoholinessarediscouragementandanexaggeratedanxiety.Thesewilldepriveyouoftheabilitytopracticevirtue.Donotloseheartincomingforpardon,forIamalwaysreadytoforgiveyou.Asoftenasyoubegforit,youglorifyMymercy.(1488)S.Faustina:(People)MyJesus,despiteYourgraces,Iseeandfeelallmymisery.Ibeginmydaywithbattleandenditwithbattle.AssoonasIconqueroneobstacle,tenmoreappeartotakeitsplace.ButIamnotworried,becauseIknowthatthisisthetimeofstruggle,notpeace(606).All:MercifulLord,IgiveovertoYouthatwhichismyexclusiveproperty,thatis,mysinandmyhumanweakness.IbegYou,maymymiserydrowninYourunfathomablemercy.

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Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:WoundedwithHisev’rywoundSteepmysoultillithathswoonedInHisveryBloodaway.

TenthStation:JesusIsStrippedofHisGarments

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:WhenthesoldiershadcrucifiedJesus,theytookHisclothesanddividedthemintofourshares,ashareforeachsoldier.TheyalsotookHistunic,butthetunicwasseamless,woveninonepiecefromthetopdown.Sotheysaidtooneanother,“Let’snottearit,butcastlotsforittoseewhoseitwillbe,”inorderthatthepassageofscripturemightbefulfilled(John19:23-24).S.Faustina:(People)Jesuswassuddenlystandingbeforeme,strippedofHisclothes,Hisbodycompletelycoveredwithwounds,Hiseyesfloodedwithtearsandblood,Hisfacedisfiguredandcoveredwithspittle.Jesus:(Guide)ThebridemustresembleherBetrothed.S.Faustina:(People)Iunderstoodthesewordstotheirverydepth.Thereisnoroomfordoubthere.MylikenesstoJesusmustbethroughsufferingandhumility(268).All:Jesus,meekandhumbleofheart,makemyheartlikeuntoYourheart.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:

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ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:Bruised,derided,cursed,defiled,ShebeheldhertenderChildAllwithbloodyscourgesrent

EleventhStation:JesusIsNailedtotheCross

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:ThosepassingbyreviledHim,shakingtheirheadsandsaying,“Youwoulddestroythetempleandrebuilditinthreedays,saveYourself,ifYouaretheSonofGod,[and]comedownfromthecross!”LikewisethechiefpriestswiththescribesandeldersmockedHimandsaid,“Hesavedothers;HecannotsaveHimself.HetrustedinGod;letHimdeliverHimnowifhewantsHim.ForHesaid,‘IamtheSonofGod’”(Matthew27:39-43).Jesus:(Guide)Mypupil,havegreatloveforthosewhocauseyousuffering.Dogoodtothosewhohateyou(1628).S.Faustina:(People)OmyJesus,youknowwhateffortsareneededtolivesincerelyandunaffectedlywiththosefromwhomournatureflees,orwiththosewho,deliberatelyornot,havemadeussuffer.Humanlyspeaking,thisisimpossible.Atsuchtimesmorethanatothers,ItrytodiscovertheLordJesusinsuchapersonandforthesameJesus,Idoeverythingforsuchpeople(766).All:OpurestLove,ruleinallYourplenitudeinmyheartandhelpmetodoYourholywillmostfaithfully(328).Guide:

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You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:HolyMother!piercemethrough;InmyhearteachwoundrenewOfmySaviorcrucified.

TwelfthStation:JesusDiesontheCrossGuide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:ButwhentheycametoJesusandsawthatHewasalreadydead,theydidnotbreakHislegs,butonesoldierthrusthislanceintoHisside,andimmediatelybloodandwaterflowedout(John19:33-40).Jesus:(Guide)Allthisisforthesalvationofsouls.Considerwell,Mydaughter,whatyouaredoingfortheirsalvation(1184).S.Faustina:(People)ThenIsawtheLordJesusnailedtothecross.WhenHehadhungonitforawhile,IsawamultitudeofsoulscrucifiedlikeHim.ThenIsawasecondmultitudeofsouls,andathird.Thesecondmultitudewerenotnailedto[their]crosses,butwereholdingthemfirmlyintheirhands.Thethirdwereneithernailedto[their]crossesnorholdingthemfirmlyintheirhands,butweredragging[their]crossesbehindthemandwerediscontent.Jesus:(Guide)Doyouseethesesouls?ThosewhoarelikeMeinthepainandcontempttheysufferwillbelikeMealsoinglory.AndthosewhoresembleMelessinpainandcontemptwillalsobearlessresemblancetoMeinglory(446).All:Jesus,mySavior,hidemeinthedepthofYourheartthat,fortifiedbyYourgrace,ImaybeabletoresembleYouintheloveoftheCrossandhaveashareinYourglory.

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Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:ForthesinsofHisownnation,SawHimhangindesolationTillHisSpiritforthHesent.

ThirteenthStation:JesusIsTakenDownfromtheCross

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:ThecenturionwhowitnessedwhathadhappenedglorifiedGodandsaid,“Thismanwasinnocentbeyonddoubt.”Whenallthepeoplewhohadgatheredforthisspectaclesawwhathadhappened,theyreturnedhomebeatingtheirbreasts;butallHisacquaintancesstoodatadistance,includingthewomenwhohadfollowedHimfromGalilee,andsawtheseevents(Luke23:47-49).Jesus:(Guide)MostdeartoMeisthesoulthatstronglybelievesinMygoodnessandhascompletetrustinMe.IheapMyconfidenceuponitandgiveitallitasks(453).S.Faustina:(People)IflytoYourmercy,CompassionateGod,whoalonearegood.Althoughmymiseryisgreat,andmyoffensesaremany,ItrustinYourmercy,becauseYouaretheGodofmercy;and,fromtimeimmemorial,ithasneverbeenheardof,nordoheavenorearthremember,thatasoultrustinginYourmercyhasbeendisappointed(1730).All:MercifulJesus,dailyincreasemytrustinYourmercythatalwaysandeverywhereImaygivewitnesstoYourboundlessgoodnessandlove.

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Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:Virginofallvirginsblest!Listentomyfondrequest:Letmeshareyourgriefdivine.

FourteenthStation:JesusIsPlacedintheSepulchre

Guide:WeadoreYou,OChrist,andwepraiseYou.People:BecausebyYourholyCrossandResurrection,Youhaveredeemedtheworld.Guide:TheytookthebodyofJesusandboundItwithburialclothsalongwiththespices,accordingtotheJewishburialcustom.NowintheplacewhereHehadbeencrucifiedtherewasagarden,andinthegardenanewtomb,inwhichnoonehadyetbeenburied.SotheylaidJesustherebecauseoftheJewishpreparationday;forthetombwascloseby(John19:38-42).Jesus:(Guide)Butchild,youarenotyetinyourhomeland;sogo,fortifiedbyMygrace,andfightforMykingdominhumansouls;fightasaking’schildwould;andrememberthatthedaysofyourexilewillpassquickly,andwiththemthepossibilityofearningmeritforheaven.Iexpectfromyou,Mychild,agreatnumberofsoulswhowillglorifyMymercyforalleternity(1489).S.Faustina:(People)EverysoulYouhaveentrustedtome,Jesus,Iwilltrytoaidwithprayerandsacrifice,sothatYourgracecanworkinthem.Ogreatloverofsouls,myJesus,IthankYouforthisimmenseconfidencewithwhichYouhavedeignedtoplacesoulsinourcare(245).All:Grant,MercifulLord,thatnotevenoneofthosesoulswhichYouhaveentrustedtomebelost.Guide:You,whosufferedwoundsforus,

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People:ChristJesus,havemercyonus.SungVerse:Christ,whenThoushaltcallmehence,BeThyMothermydefense,BeThyCrossmyvictory.

ClosingPrayerAll:MyJesus,myonlyhope,IthankYouforthisbookwhichYouopenedtotheeyesofmysoul.ThisbookisYourPassion,undertakenoutofloveforme.Fromthisbook,IlearnhowtoloveGodandsouls.Thisbookcontainsinexhaustibletreasures.OJesus,howfewsoulsunderstandYouinYourmartyrdomoflove.HappythesoulthathascometounderstandtheloveoftheheartofJesus!FortheintentionsoftheHolyFather

OurFather....HailMary....GloryBe....

PrayerinHonoroftheHolyCross:GodourFather,inobediencetoYouYouronlySonaccepteddeathonthecrossforthesalvationofmankind.Weacknowledgethemysteryofthecrossonearth.Maywereceivethegiftofredemptioninheaven.WeaskthisthroughourLordJesusChrist,YourSon,WholivesandreignswithYouandtheHolySpiritoneGod,foreverandever.Amen.

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Bethesda,Maryland

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