I. Jesus receives the sentence of death.
The entire assembly rose up and led Jesus before Pilate.
They started his prosecution by saying, "We found this man subverting our nation and calling himself the Messiah, a king." They demanded with loud cries that he be crucified, and their shouts increased in violence. Pilate then decreed that what they demanded should be done. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

II. Jesus accepts the cross.
The procurator's soldiers stripped off Jesus' clothes and wrapped him in a scarlet military cloak. Then they began to mock him. They also spat at him. Finally, when they had finished making a fool of him they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion. It was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured.

III. Jesus falls the first time.
He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. The Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth. God, in Christ, was reconciling the world to himself, and
he has entrusted the message of reconciliation to us.

IV. Jesus meets Mary, his mother.
Rejoice and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning. For thus says the Lord: As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you. When you see this, your heart shall rejoice; the Lord's power shall be known to his servants. You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices; but your grief will be turned into joy.

V.Simon helps Jesus carry the cross.
As the chief priests, the ruling class, and the people led Jesus away, they laid hold of one Simon the Cyrenean who was coming in from the fields. They pressed him into service to carry the cross. A great crowd of people followed him. If anyone would serve me, let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be.

VI. Veronica cleanses Jesus' face.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; for he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.

VII. Jesus falls again under the cross.
Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city against Judah's kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. It was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death.

VIII. Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.
A great crowd of people followed Jesus, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. Jesus turned to them and said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children."I give you a new commandment: love one another.

IX. Jesus falls a third time.
The man who loves his life loses it, while the man who hates his life in this world preserves it to life eternal. If anyone would serve me, let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be. If anyone serves me, him the Father will honor. Whoever wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

X. Soldiers remove Jesus' robe.
When the crowd brought Jesus to the site of Golgotha, which means "Skull Place," they tried to give him wine drugged with myrrh, but he would not take it. Then they crucified him and divided up his garments by rolling dice for them to see what each should take. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth.

XI. Soldiers crucify Jesus.
The crowd crucified Jesus and the criminals as well, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing." God has loved us and has sent his Son as an offering for our sins.

XII. Jesus dies on the cross.
When noon came, darkness fell on the whole countryside and lasted until mid-afternoon. At that time Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?," which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Then, uttering a loud cry, he breathed his last. Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!

XIII. Jesus' mother and friends lower his body from the cross.
There was a man named Joseph, an upright and holy member of the Sanhedrin, who had not been associated with this plan or action. He was from Arimathea and he looked expectantly for the reign of God. This man approached Pilate with a request for Jesus' body. He took it down and wrapped it in fine linen. Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like my suffering.

XIV. Jesus' mother and friends lay his body in the tomb.
Taking Jesus' body, Joseph wrapped it in fresh linen and laid it in his own new tomb which had been hewn from a formation of rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. With your blood you purchased for God men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation.

XV. Jesus rises victorious over death.
As the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene came with the other Mary to inspect the tomb. Suddenly there was a mighty earthquake, as the angel of the Lord descended from heaven. He came to the stone, rolled it back, and sat on it. Then the angel spoke: "Do not be frightened. I know you are looking for Jesus the crucified, but he is not here. He has been raised, exactly as he promised. Come and see the place where he was laid." "I shall see you again; your hearts will rejoice with a joy no one can take from you."

[During Lent there are: The Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at The Church of St. Gregory.]