The Diocese of Southwark Holy Land Pilgrimage 2013 The Way of the Cross
Leaving the Grounds of the Church of St Anne turn right and walk up the road which rises before you. The road passes through two tunnels/covered ways. When you come to an old half-arch over the road, turn to you right and you will find yourself at the Church of the Condemnation and Stations I and II. Go into the grounds where you will find the Dean. The Dean will give the group a wooden cross to carry with them during the stations and will say this collect: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The first two stations can be remembered in this open space, or in the churches The first two stations are remembered inside the courtyard to the right of this picture
THE FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Pilate said to the people, I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him. But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. (Luke 23. 22-24) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us for those times when we have not colluded silently in the practice of injustice. And forgive us the times we have. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 1 Were you there when Pilate washed his hands? Were you there when Pilate washed his hands? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when Pilate washed his hands? Station II is in the other corner of the compound the Dean will point the way for you.
The Church of the Condemnation where traditionally Jesus took up his cross
THE SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP THE CROSS We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Jesus said, The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Then he said to them all, If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9. 22-23) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us when we are made scapegoats. And forgive us when we put our hatred on others. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 2. Were you there when he bore the wooden cross? Were you there when he bore the wooden cross? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when he bore the wooden cross? Leave the grounds of these first stations and turn right out of the gate. Continue along the road some distance. At the end you will reach a T-Junction. Here turn left. The building on your left as you make this left houses station III you are likely to see Station IV first but station III is there next to it. You have to turn back on yourself to see it. If you can go into the little chapel
Station III Jesus falls the first time
THE THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow... For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage; (Lamentations 1. 12,16) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us when we fall under the weight of our burdens. And forgive us when we fail to help others with their burdens. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 3. Were you there when he stumbled to the ground? Were you there when he stumbled to the ground? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when he stumbled to the ground? Station IV is immediately next to station III. It can be difficult to get into this station and you may simply need to pray on the street.
Station IV Jesus meets his Mother THE FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too. (Luke 2. 34-35)
Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, be with us in the terror of suffering. And help us, through your love, to find hope. One of the following prayers may be used if desired: 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. or Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. Amen. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 4. Were you there when he met his mother s gaze? Were you there when he met his mother s gaze? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when he met his mother s gaze? Standing in front of the gate to Station IV (shown opposite) turn to your right and continue into the thick of the bazaar, leaving Station III behind you. The road is quite narrow so encourage your party to stick together. You will soon see a square stone building by a right turn this is station V. Try and go into the chapel.
Station V Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
THE FIFTH STATION: SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS TO CARRY HIS CROSS We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23.26) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us for those times when we have helped others with their burdens. And forgive the times we have failed to do so. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 5. Were you there when Simon shared his cross? Were you there when Simon shared his cross? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when Simon shared his cross? As you come out of the Chapel turn left and continue following the Via Dolorosa. The route goes further into the Bazaar and up shallow steps. You will go under arches and through a tunnel under a building. After this you will see Station VI on your left. The first door, marked as the entrance to the chapel is often closed. You can sometimes get into the chapel by going into the icon shop run by nuns next door. Otherwise pray the station on the street.
Station VI Veronica wipes the face of Jesus (This door to the chapel is often closed. Sometimes you can get in through the door to the right of this one.)
THE SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Then the king will say to those at his right hand, Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. (Matthew 25. 34-36) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us for our unseen acts of charity and generosity. And forgive us the times when we have failed to show compassion and love. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 6. Were you there when she offered him her veil? Were you there when she offered him her veil? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when she offered him her veil? From station VI continue in the direction you were going up the Via Dolorosa. The route becomes narrower and this is another point to check you are all together. At the end of this road, directly in front of you is Station VII. If you can go in, do. This station marks where the city wall would have been in Jesus time and so is the point at which he would have left the city for the last time through the Gate of Judgement. Inside this station there is part of a Roman Column from the time of Jesus.
Station VII Jesus falls for the second time
THE SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS FOR THE SECOND TIME We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Jesus answered them, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12. 23-24) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us when the journey seems long and hard. And help us when we stumble and fall. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 7. Were you there when he fell a second time? Were you there when he fell a second time? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when he fell a second time? Coming out of Station VII turn right and almost immediately right again at The Seventh Station Bazaar Souvenir Shop. Hopefully one of our guides will be stood here to help you. Continue up this road until you come to Station VIII which is marked by a little sign, an ancient cross carved into the wall and not much else! This station has no chapel to go into and is remembered on the street.
Turn right here! And head up the road towards Station VIII
THE EIGHTH STATION: JESUS SPEAKS TO THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Jesus turned to them and said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. (Luke 23.28) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us when we weep for the suffering of others. And forgive us when we fail to understand why others suffer. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse: 8. Were you there when the women wept for him? Were you there when the women wept for him? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when the women wept for him? Now retrace your steps back to the Seventh Station Bazaar Souvenir Shop. When you reach the shop, which will be on your right, turn right into the Covered Bazaar. Walk through the Bazaar a short distance and you will come to a stall on your right selling hats. Next to this stall, in fact almost behind it, running parallel to the street is a set of shallow stairs. Turn onto the stairs and climb up. We hope that one of our guides will be stood here to help. At the top you will find yourself on a quiet residential street and following this as it moves towards the domes of the Holy Sepulchre you will come to Station IX at St Helen s Coptic Church. Depending on what is happening in the Church you might be better to pray this station on the street, where there is also a neon light depicting the station!
Here are the steps you need to go up the picture is taken standing in the middle of the street, which runs across the image from right left. You come from Stations VII/VIII which are to the right. At the top of the stairs you will end up on this street Station IX can be remembered under this arch with it s neon sign or in the church immediately to the right (before you go under the arch)
THE NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS FOR THE THIRD TIME We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. (Hebrews 12. 22-23) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, be with us when we have lost hope. And help us to remember all that you have done for us. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 9. Were you there when he struck the ground again? Were you there when he struck the ground again? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when he struck the ground again? Go under the arch with its neon depiction of the third fall and turn to your left, through a green door. You will come into a large open space. You are now on part of the roof of the Holy Sepulchre. You will find the Bishop there. The final 5 stations are traditionally remembered in the Church. However it is difficult to do that in practice and so we will remember them here.
Stations X-XIV will be remembered here on the roof of part of the Holy Sepulchre. You will come into this space through the arch on the right of the picture. Station IX is remembered on the other side of the wall on the right. The roof houses an Ethiopian Monastery
THE TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one! The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! There was also an inscription over him, This is the King of the Jews. (Luke 23. 34-38) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us when we are utterly vulnerable. And forgive us when we mock others in their weakness. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse 10. Were you there when the soldiers stripped his clothes? Were you there when the soldiers stripped his clothes? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when the soldiers stripped his clothes?
The mosaic in the Holy Sepulchre marking Station XI
THE ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: When they came to the place that is called Calvary, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23. 33-34) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us when we become the victims of others. And forgive us the ways in which others become our victims. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse11. Were you there when he opened wide his arms? Were you there when he opened wide his arms? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when he opened wide his arms?
The place of the XII Station in the Holy Sepulchre and the rock of Calvary
THE TWELFTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Having said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23. 44-46) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, bless us when we breathe our last. And be light for us in our darkness. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse12. Were you there when he bowed his head and died? Were you there when he bowed his head and died? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when he bowed his head and died?
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre: Looking down towards the Stone of Anointing where the preparation of Jesus body for burial is remembered
THE THIRTEENTH STATION: THE BODY OF JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out...these things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, None of his bones shall be broken. (John 19. 32-36) Meditation and Prayer: Jesus, remember us in your kingdom. And heal us in our brokenness. Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse13. Were you there when they took him from the cross? Were you there when they took him from the cross? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when they took him from the cross?
The Aedicule which contains the Holy Sepulchre and the rotunda above it
THE FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHRE We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph...from the Jewish town of Arimathea. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (Luke. 23.50-56) Meditation and Prayer: Soul of Christ, sanctify us, Body of Christ, save us, Blood of Christ, inebriate us, Water from the side of Christ, wash us, Passion of Christ, strengthen us. O good Jesus, hear us. Within your wounds hide us. Let us not be separated from you. From the malicious enemy defend us. In the hour of our death call us And bid us come to you, That with all your saints we may praise you For ever and ever. Amen. (Anima Christi adapted) Silence... Thank you for your great love in sending your Son for our salvation. Hymn Verse14. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
CONCLUSION The Lord s Prayer is said 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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits and blessings which you have won for us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us, O merciful Redeemer, friend and brother; may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen (After S. Richard of Chichester) We then visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with our guides and then move to the Church of the Redeemer where the Pilgrimage Eucharist will celebrate the Resurrection.
The Church of the Redeemer