Gathering in the Presence of God, his angels and saints, let us share with Christ, in the Way of the Cross for peace and healing, in the Ukraine, and all lands, homes and hearts in conflict. May the Holy Spirit also bring God’s peace and healing in our churches.
“…for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities — all things were created through him and for him… and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col. 1: 16a – 20b)
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, you calls us to follow your Son in the Way of the Cross. Help us to learn and share that it is as we follow him that we will find the peace, healing, and holiness that is promised in your Word. In our journey together may the peace and healing mercy of your Son prevail and reach through us in our ways and in our words. These prayers we make through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I. FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ With Jesus, many in this world are condemned to suffer from wars and conflicts flowing from pride, lust for their neighbors lands, their lives and, from evil desires to control.
♰ Holy Lord you shared, from your heart words and deeds of peace, hope, and healing. May your love conquer fear, and your tranquility overcome war and strife. And as we follow you bring your peace and healing to places and people in conflict.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
II SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ Scourged and beaten Jesus is led to take his cross. His heart is beating from the mockery of a trial and the wounds of scourging. He looks at his cross. His hands that drew sinners to peace, the same hands that shared forgiveness and healing now take the heavy, coarse wood. And as it weighs upon him he brings his peace, that is greater than any place of war, sorrow or need.
♰ Jesus you touched and drew so many to yourself. Little children and holy apostles knew the embrace of your arms. Drawn close to your side they knew and learned of your love and mercy. Help us Lord to know that as we take up our cross our hearts are healed and made strong in your Presence and peace that we may know and share that same love.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of Your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son He sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and healing will prevail.
III THIRD STATION JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ The evils of conflict and violence have exhausted the Christ. He falls the first time. So the same evils of those denying the peace, life and well-being of others now wearies our God. May anyone involved in these conflicts of life allow God to heal their hearts that they me see Christ in those they oppress. May we all learn to see God in all, especially in those who may differ from us.
♰ Savior when we fall into conflicts and strife we may not realize the sorrow and suffering we cause to others, and to you. Lord forgive us. Help us to rise again and follow you as servants and soldiers of peace and healing. Cause us to learn that the closer to your side we walk, that there the stumbles and falls we experience in life will be into your arms of peace and healing for ourselves and for the world.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
IV FOURTH STATION JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ Climbing the way of sorrows Christ meets his mother. Seeing her Son struggle and gasp with the burden of the cross she feels her heart breaking for the sorrows He carries. The mother of Jesus, our mother, our Queen of Peace, with the piercing of her own soul and heart is able to reach out for him and all her children to lead us to the healing and peace only her son can bring.
♰ Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us. Help us to know the peace and healing found in the Sacred Heart of your Son. We especially pray for your children suffering in times and places of war and sorrow. Bring them through the places and times of death and loss to the healing, peace and hope of your son.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
V FIFTH STATION SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ Simon’s heart is gripped with fear as he is made to help carry the cross of Jesus. The humiliation and dread of facing the crucifixion looms in his mind as he is compelled to carry the splintery wood. Thrust to Christ by the cross Simon finds his body pressed to the wounded side of Jesus. So today many are forced to carry crosses of great loss and suffering as innocent souls in places of conflict, as young souls made to fight against their neighbors. May they each realize God is with them and experience God’s peace, healing and, courage.
♰ Lord, sometimes immense are the fears your people face. The crosses of our life can bring us shame and dread until we realize those crosses bring us to your wounded side. Help us learn that it is at your holy, wounded side we discover your love that conquers our fears. And there we find peace, healing, and courageous love to press on with You.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
VI SIXTH STATION VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ Veronica went with all the loving courage her heart possessed to push through the taunting mob to comfort and wipe the face of Jesus. Saddened that she could not do any more for Him she stumbled back to the side to the road with the soiled cloth. Soon she would learn that his image was forever upon that which she carried in her hands and heart. May all those who seek to alleviate the wounds and suffering of those in places of war, sorrow and loss realize they minister to and bear the image of Jesus in their hearts.
♰ Holy Jesus consecrate with your holy image and love all that our hands and hearts seek to do. Help us to realize that it is your love, Your Presence, we carry in our lives. May your Presence and image we bear bring peace and healing to all we would meet.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
VII SEVENTH STATION JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ The wounded heart Jesus was nearing complete exhaustion. Physical shock brought from his wounds was weakening our Lord with each step. Stumbling up the road Jesus falls a second time. The wounds of conflict cause untold suffering in lands, homes and hearts at war. Many would be those who might fall with Jesus in their journey..
♰ Lord God as you shared our journey of flesh your holy Body suffered. Help us, in our physical afflictions, to allow our simple sufferings to be united through Your Body for the good of Your Kingdom. Especially for all those exhausted by the battles of life, even if they fear their falls, may they realize they are falling into the peace and strength of he who will rise again.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
VIII EIGHTH STATION: JESUS AND THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
♰ The women of Jerusalem cried out with their hearts for the suffering Savior. Jesus calls to them, from his heart, to pray for the sins of their land and people that God’s peace and healing would prevail. Calling to all hearts with the cross he bears Jesus seeks to show us His Kingdom of life, peace and restoration will prevail.
♰ Savior help us just not to lament your suffering and the sins of others. Help us to truly seek to bring your holy peace and healing love for our wounded world today.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With His love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to You I come, with the grace of Your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son He sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit Whose power will raise us again.
IX NINTH STATION JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ Jesus approaches the summit of Calvary. Climbing the final steps Jesus stumbles and falls a third time. Yet in conquering the mountain of the world’s sin Jesus will not fail. From the rocky ground he had created to be the soil of life and peace Jesus gets up in the quest of His heart…to find and free our lives from sin and strife.
♰ Jesus, Savior, You allowed no obstacle to hinder your heart’s quest to seek and to save each of us. Remove from our hearts anything that hinders us from knowing you and the peace and freedom only you can bring.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
X TENTH STATION JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ Christ, the King of Kings arrived at Calvary. The soldiers stripped His wounded Body of all his bloodied garments. Clothed now, only in the naked dignity of holiness, peace and love Jesus was not afraid. May all those experiencing the cruel assault upon the worth and dignity of their lives in places of war and loss discover the help and care from God’s people today.
♰ Jesus sometimes our hearts and lives feel totally vulnerable and afraid. We seek to hide behind our work, efforts, words and semblances of control Help us, Lord, to allow Your peace, hope and holy love to clothe our lives with the dignity of Your Presence. And Jesus help us especially care for those suffering amidst conflicts great or small to be clothed with strength and help that will bring them your peace.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
XI ELEVENTH STATION JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ The nails are pounded into the hands and feet of Emmanuel, God with us. With each new wound the trauma and pain deeply damage his aching heart. The soldiers watch as Christ’s Body struggles with the wounds of crucifixion. They have seen it many times. But this one is different. They did not know their nails pierced the hands and feet of God. So it is today. The battles and conquests wrought upon others bring, anew wounds to the Body of Christ and to all created by God.
♰ Jesus, Emmanuel, so often we say, do, or witness things that hurt and destroy. So often we may not even be aware of the wounding or the wounded. Lord helps us not to just witness or to wound. Help us to heal. In places or conflict grant us courage us wage your peace and hope. Reach out through our hands, feet and words to bring the healing Presence to your wounded Body and, to your wounded world.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
XII TWELFTH STATION JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ Jesus dies on the cross. He does so much sooner than is normal. The shaken soldiers must be sure that this man is truly dead so one pierces His side, His heart, with a spear. Blood and water flow from the wound, from the broken heart of Jesus, from the heart of God. Today, in a world afflicted by war and destruction of life in so many ways and places the heart of God is pierced. But the wounded heart of God will bring us to know that our hearts and lives are created to have the peace of God prevail and rule. The death, the broken heart of God is not defeat. It is the place and way of the conquest of the sins, the wars and strife of this world.
♰ Heavenly Father as your Son died on the Cross his heart was broken. With the piercing of his side the water and blood flowed out. May the holy water of his Word and his sacred Blood we share in the cup cleanse, forgive and heal our sin and conflicts that his peace and eternal love would will fill our hearts and lands and churches.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
XIII THIRTEENTH STATION JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ The disciples take the broken Body of Christ down from the cross. Touching his pierced side their own aching hearts are calmed. Sensing, they knew not what, they found that in his wounds theirs were not the same. Many are those being buried in the places of war. Many are the hopes and dreams in hearts at conflict also buried. May we, with the saints and angels commit those who have died and the dreams and hopes of life to God who conquers sin, war and despair.
♰ Holy Spirit so often we resist your guiding hand that brings us to the tomb , to see the wounds of the Savior. Yet as you help us to remember his words in our hearts and to touch his holy body we find patience, help and strength for the journeys we share, for our crosses we bear.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
XIV FOURTEENTH STATION JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB
We adore you O Christ and we praise You.
Because by your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
♰ They have wrapped Jesus in his burial shroud and placed him in the tomb. With their understanding buried as well they leave with sorrow-filled hearts. For many facing the cold graves and losses brought by wars and conflicts there is deep and real sorrow as their lives are wrapped in the shrouds of death and destruction. But regardless if the loss and sorrow is great or seemingly small may we remember they belong in the hands of the crucified and that, with him we are called to rise from the sorrows of this world.
♰ Holy Spirit pray for us when our hearts are overwhelmed with this world. Bring us to rest in the healing wounds of our Savior who rose from his tomb to conquer any conflict, sin and death. Heal and renew our hearts in his faith, courage and love. May the peace and promise of his resurrection fill our lives.
And we pray… Holy Spirit, Power of God, Strengthen me, for this path I trod. This cross, with Christ I take. With his love, this way I’ll make. Heavenly Father, to you I come, in the grace of your Son. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary…
Glory to God the Father, Whose love the Son he sent. Glory to God the Son, Whose Passion, our ways will mend. Glory to God the Spirit whose power for peace and mercy will prevail.
Redwood Journal 
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