Prayers for Reflection and Meditation

Each station usually begins with:

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

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

After each station, often sung:

The Stabat Mater

By Blessed Jacopone da Todi

At the Cross her station keeping

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart his sorrow sharing,

All his bitter anguish bearing,

Lo! The piercing sword had passed.

For his people’s sins rejected,

Saw her Jesus unprotected,

Saw with thorns, with scourges rent.

Saw her Son from judgment taken,

Her beloved in death forsaken,

Till his spirit forth he sent.

Jesus, may your Cross defend me,

And your Mother’s prayer befriend me:

Let me die in your embrace.

When to dust my dust returns

Grant a soul, which for you yearns,

In your Paradise a place. Amen.

Prayer Before the Crucifix

Behold, O kind and gentle Jesus, I kneel before you and pray that you would impress upon my heart the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment. At the same time, with sorrow I meditate on your five precious wounds, having in mind the words which David spoke in prophecy: "They have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones" (Ps 22).

Anima Christi ("Soul of Christ")

Soul of Christ, sanctify me;

Body of Christ, save me;

Blood of Christ, inebriate me;

Water from the side of Christ, wash me;

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me;

Within your wounds hide me;

Never permit me to be separated from you;

From the wicked enemy defend me;

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come to your side,

That with your saints I may praise you,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

A Prayer by St. Clare of Assisi

Praise and glory to you, O loving Jesus Christ,

for the most sacred wound in your side,

and by that adorable wound

and by your infinite mercy

which you made known to us in the opening

of your breast to the soldier Longinus,

and so to us all.

I pray to you, O most gentle Jesus,

having redeemed me by baptism

from original sin,

so now, by your Precious Blood,

which is offered and received

throughout the world,

deliver me from all evils,

past, present, and to come.

And, by your most bitter death,

give me a lively faith,

a firm hope, and

a perfect charity,

so that I may love you

with all my heart

and all my soul,

and all my strength;

make me firm and steadfast

in good works

and grant me perseverance

in your service

so that I may be able to please you always.

Amen.