Saint MacNissi's Church
Randalstown
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross
In many world religions, pilgrimage is a universal devotional practice in which adherents journey together with a shared religious purpose.
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One of the earliest Christian pilgrimage accounts is the Itinerarium Burdigalense (Bordeaux Itinerary), written by the anonymous "Pilgrim of Bordeaux". This document recounts the sacred places visited by early Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem, including the original path of the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross).
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Over time, due to war, travel restrictions, and the high cost of long journeys, many were no longer able to make an actual pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As a result, the concept of a local or virtual pilgrimage developed — enabling the faithful to spiritually unite with Christ's Passion through symbolic journeys within their own communities.
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In Our Church, the 14 traditional Stations of the Cross are displayed around the interior perimeter. These stations invite us to follow Christ’s path to Calvary in a spirit of prayer and reflection, often using a devotional booklet to guide the prayers and meditations at each station.
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In more recent times, many booklets also include a 15th Station, commemorating the Resurrection, reminding us that Christ’s suffering leads to hope and new life.
I - Jesus is Condemned to Death
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Jesus, You are wrongly judged and condemned. Though innocent, You accept the sentence in silence, out of love for me.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to accept injustice, criticism, and hardship with patience and humility. Teach me to trust in Your will even when it is hard.
II - Jesus Takes Up His Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Jesus, You embrace the Cross willingly, though You are weary and in pain. It becomes the burden that saves the world.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to carry the crosses in my life with strength and hope. Teach me to follow You even when the path is heavy.
III - Jesus Falls the First Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Jesus, weak from suffering, You fall under the weight of the Cross. But You rise again to continue.
Prayer: Lord, when I fall into sin or discouragement, lift me up. Help me to keep going, even when I feel broken.
IV - Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Mary meets her Son on the road to Calvary. Their hearts are united in sorrow, yet they draw strength from one another.
Prayer: Mary, Mother of Sorrows, be with me in times of trial. Teach me to stand with others in their pain.
V - Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Simon is forced to help Jesus. Though reluctant, he comes to know the grace of sharing the burden.
Prayer: Lord, help me to help others — even when it’s inconvenient. Let me be generous in love and service.
VI - 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.
Meditation: Veronica, moved by compassion, wipes the face of Jesus. In return, His image is left on her cloth.
Prayer: Jesus, help me to see Your face in others, especially in those who suffer. Let my acts of love leave an imprint of You.
VII - Jesus Falls the Second Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Weighed down again, Jesus falls a second time. Yet again He rises.
Prayer: Lord, when I fail repeatedly, don’t let me give up. Help me to trust in Your mercy and start again.
VIII - Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: The women mourn for Jesus, but He turns their hearts to repentance and compassion.
Prayer: Jesus, make me attentive to the needs of others. Help me to comfort, not just with words, but with a heart like Yours.
IX - Jesus Falls the Third Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Jesus, exhausted, falls once more. Still, His love drives Him onward.
Prayer: Lord, when I am overwhelmed, remind me of Your strength. Give me courage to rise with You.
X - 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.
Meditation: Jesus is stripped, humiliated, and exposed. He holds nothing back.
Prayer: Lord, help me to let go of pride and fear. Teach me the freedom of surrendering all to You.
XI - 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.
Meditation: Jesus is nailed to the Cross — His love fixed in place forever.
Prayer: Lord, my sins nailed You there. But Your love held You fast. Help me to live in gratitude and devotion.
XII - Jesus Dies on the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Jesus dies, giving His last breath in love for all humanity.
Prayer: Jesus, in Your final breath, You gave everything out of love for us. You embraced suffering to bring us life. Help me to turn away from selfishness and sin, and live with love like You did. Teach me to trust in You completely, even in life’s darkest moments. I thank You, Jesus, for loving me to the end.
XIII - 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.
Meditation: Jesus’ lifeless body is taken down and placed in the arms of His sorrowing Mother.
Prayer: Mary, hold me as you held Jesus. Comfort me in sorrow, and lead me closer to Him.
XIV - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: Jesus is placed in the tomb. It is a moment of silence, grief, and waiting — but not the end.
Prayer: Lord, in the quiet moments of darkness, help me to trust in Your promise. May I live in hope of the Resurrection.
XV - The Resurrection of Jesus
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Meditation: The tomb is empty. Christ is risen. Death is conquered. Hope is alive.
Prayer: Risen Lord, thank You for the victory of life and love. Help me to live as a child of the Resurrection.
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