This short Stations of the Cross lets you make the Way of the Cross in about ten minutes: for each of the fourteen traditional stations there is the versicle and response, a one-line meditation on Christ’s Passion, and a brief prayer. It is ideal for a lunch break on a Friday in Lent, for a busy family, for a parish group with little time, or for anyone who wants to walk with Jesus to Calvary every day. For the longer, classic meditations of St. Alphonsus Liguori, see the Stations of the Cross of St. Alphonsus.
Opening prayer
Written for this page.
Lord Jesus, I want to walk with you on the way to Calvary.
Let me see how much you love me, be sorry for my sins, and grow in love for you. Amen.
At every station
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
The fourteen stations
1. Jesus is condemned to death. The innocent Judge of the world is judged by sinners.
Lord, keep me from judging others.
2. Jesus takes up his Cross. He embraces the wood that will save us.
Lord, help me to accept my daily cross.
3. Jesus falls the first time. He falls under the weight of our sins.
Lord, lift me up when I fall into sin.
4. Jesus meets his Mother. Their eyes meet in a single sorrow.
Mary, stay with me in my sorrows.
5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus. A stranger is forced to share the Cross, and is blessed.
Lord, let me help those who suffer.
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. One act of courage, and his face is imprinted on her veil.
Lord, imprint your face on my heart.
7. Jesus falls the second time. Weakness does not stop his love.
Lord, give me perseverance.
8. Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem. Even in agony he thinks of others.
Lord, give me true sorrow for sin.
9. Jesus falls the third time. Almost at the top, he falls again, and rises again.
Lord, never let me give up.
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments. He gives up everything, even his clothes.
Lord, free me from attachment to things.
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross. He forgives those who nail him.
Lord, teach me to forgive.
12. Jesus dies on the Cross. “It is consummated.” Love has gone to the end.
Lord, I adore you, and I thank you for my salvation.
(Kneel for a moment of silence.)
13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross. Mary receives the body of her Son.
Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for me.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. The seed falls into the ground, waiting for Easter.
Lord, let me die to sin and rise with you.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your Passion and death.
Let the fruit of this Way of the Cross be a new love for you and for my neighbor.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
How long do the Stations of the Cross take?
This short version takes about ten minutes. A full Way of the Cross with longer meditations and a hymn takes thirty to forty-five minutes.
Can I pray the Stations of the Cross at home?
Yes. You may pray them anywhere, with or without pictures. For the indulgence, the Stations should be prayed where they are lawfully erected, moving from one to the next; those who cannot may meditate on the Passion for a while instead.
When are the Stations of the Cross prayed?
Especially on the Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday, but they can be prayed at any time.
More Lent pages
- Interactive Stations of the Cross
- Stations of the Cross of St. Alphonsus
- Scriptural Stations of the Cross
- Stations of the Cross for kids
- Lent
- Sorrowful Mysteries
Texts and sources
- Versicle and response: F. X. Lasance, With God (1911), public domain (Wikisource).
- Meditations and prayers written for this page.