Seventh Station

Jesus takes up his Cross (John 19:6, 15–17)

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

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When the chief priests and the police saw Jesus, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all;

For the transgression of my people was he stricken.

(Silence)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Holy God,

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy upon us.