First Station

Ecce Homo—Behold, the man—Antonio Ciseri 1871

Jesus is Condemned to Death

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

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And they condemned him and said, “He deserves to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgement seat at a place called the pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. They handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

God did not spare his own son:

But delivered him up for us all.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Holy God Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us.