STATIONS OF THE CROSS
History of Our Stations of the Cross
Our Stations of the Cross come from Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Mckeesport, PA. Holy Trinity was established as a parish for the growing Slovak community in McKeesport in December 1892 and the church's cornerstone was from 1911. Holy Trinity merged with St. Peter's, St. Mary's (German) and Sacred Heart(Croatian) churches to form St. Martin de Porres Parish in 1993. The final Mass was on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 10:30 am.
The Stations of the Cross were refurbished by King Richards and installed at St. Francis of Assisi Church on September 21, 2013.
The Stations of the Cross were refurbished by King Richards and installed at St. Francis of Assisi Church on September 21, 2013.
The Way of the Cross
Heavenly Father, out of love for us you sent your own Son,
our Lord, Jesus Christ, as our Savior.
In Him we are redeemed and saved.
Despite our weakness and sinfulness we wish to imitate Him.
Send your Holy Spirit, we implore you, to assist us as we make
the way of the cross.
We invoke the aid of our Blessed Lady, and that of all the other
saints that we may be enabled to follow Christ and to make
His way of the cross our way of life and love. Amen.
our Lord, Jesus Christ, as our Savior.
In Him we are redeemed and saved.
Despite our weakness and sinfulness we wish to imitate Him.
Send your Holy Spirit, we implore you, to assist us as we make
the way of the cross.
We invoke the aid of our Blessed Lady, and that of all the other
saints that we may be enabled to follow Christ and to make
His way of the cross our way of life and love. Amen.
5. Simon Carries the Cross of Jesus
They met a Cyrenean named Simon. This man they pressed into service to carry the cross. (Mt 27:32) Christ's yoke is easy and His burden light, as Simon learned in helping Him. Though we naturally resist pain and hardship, we also will find that serving Christ will be a joy. |
6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me. (Mt 25:40) Anything else we can do for anyone, Our Lord counts as done for Him. To help those in pain or trouble is always an act pleasing to God, one that will not go without a reward here and hereafter. |
7. Jesus Falls the Second Time
Strengthen the hands that are feeble; make firm the keens that are weak. (Is 35:3) Our Lord fell again under the weight of His cross. When we weaken, falter and fall, Our Savior knows how hard our way is. he will strengthen us in sorrow and come to help us. He will be our strength. |
9. Jesus Falls the Third Time
Be not far from me for I am in distress; be near, for I have no one to help me. (Ps 22:12) How frail at this stage is Christ in His human nature! Yet, He endured despite His weakness and failing strength. So must we carry on in spite of our infirmity and failings to do God's work. |
10. Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
They divided up His garments by rolling dice for them to see what each should take. (Mk 15:37) Just as Christ's clothing was taken away, so one day will we be separated from all the possession given to us in life. Nothing we own belongs with us permanently; so we must each be generous with the gifts God gives us. |
11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
With Him they crucified two insurgents, one at His right and one at His left. (Mk 15:27) The soldiers nailed Christ to the cross so that He knew the pain and anguish of being unable to move hand or foot. In distress He cried out Psalm 22, "My God , My God, why have you forsaken me?" |
14. Jesus' Body is Laid in the Tomb
Joseph of Arimathea laid Him in a tomb, and rolled a stone across the entrance. (Mk 15:46) Christ's lifeless body is laid to rest, but the grave could not hold Him who created the universe. he rises gloriously on the third day to new life with God where He lives to make intercession for us always. |
You, O God, overcame death through your only-begotten Son
who opened for us the gates of life eternal.
Help us, then, to carry out in our lives the desires you inspire in us.
This we ask through the risen Christ, our Lord,
who now lives and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, God, for all the ages. Amen.
who opened for us the gates of life eternal.
Help us, then, to carry out in our lives the desires you inspire in us.
This we ask through the risen Christ, our Lord,
who now lives and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, God, for all the ages. Amen.