The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

Second Station: Jesus Takes Up His Cross

The Way of the Cross, Prayed in honor of the way of our martyrs in the Middle East: 

Please scroll down for Spanish and Arabic Translations

2-Second Station2nd Station: Jesus Takes Up His Cross

Call: We adore you, O, Christ, and we bless you.

Response: Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Meditation prayer:

Dear Jesus, the Roman soldiers showed you no mercy; you know the fear of facing and taking up your cross. Yet, you found strength from your Father-our Father-as you carried your cross. Give strength to those who suffer for their faith-for love of you. Be with them through every moment-send your angels to minister to them. Lift their burdens, calm their fears, and shower your grace upon them so that nothing remains but your peace. May the same peace breakthrough to the hearts of their persecutors-with you all things are possible. We pray for a miracle this day. May your mercy reign and may it begin with me as I stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters in Iraq and the Middle East. I pledge to be merciful to all I meet.

Continue the Journey with the Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

 

Vía Crucis, una oración honrando el camino de nuestros mártires en Irak y el Oriente Medio:

2* Segunda Estación: Jesús carga su cruz

Guía: Te adoramos, oh Cristo, y te bendecimos.

Respuesta: Que por tu santa Cruz redimiste al mundo.

“El que quiera venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo, tome su cruz y sígame.” Mateo 16:24

Meditación:

Querido Jesús, los soldados romanos no te tuvieron piedad; tú sabes el miedo de enfrentar y cargar la cruz. Sin embargo, encontraste la fuerza en tu Padre – nuestro Padre – cuando cargabas tu cruz. Dale fuerza a los que sufren por su fe – por amor a ti Señor. Acompáñalos en cada momento y envía tus ángeles para guiarlos a ellos. Levanta sus cargas, calma sus temores, y envuélvelos en tu gracia para que sólo quede tu paz. Que esa misma paz entre a los corazones de sus perseguidores – contigo todas las cosas son posibles. Oramos por un milagro el día de hoy. Que tu misericordia reine y que comience conmigo mientras estoy en solidaridad con mis hermanos y hermanas en Irak y el Oriente Medio. Me comprometo a ser misericordioso con todos los que conozco.

Continuamos con la próxima estación: Tercera Estación: Jesús cae por primera vez

 

Download the Arabic Translation: Standing at the Foot of the Cross – Arabic Translation

Ash Wednesday

On March 2, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday. 

Most of us learned early in our Catholic lives that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, and that is a time of special sacrifice in preparation for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving…. These words of Pope Francis, taken from his Lenten Message of last year, 2021, and echoing the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, can still inspire our answer to the question: “What am I giving up for Lent?” 

We can draw our Lenten sacrifices out of our daily life: 

Share our faith in God’s presence by sharing in prayer with our family or with those in our parish community.
Share our hope in God’s promises by encouraging positive and respectful dialogue in our family circle and among our friends. 
Share the charity God has bestowed on us in the Passion of Jesus, with those whose sufferings are ignored or aggravated.

Let us pray for one another as we enter the season of Lent. Our Passionist “motto” can be our daily prayer during Lent, “May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.”