Fourth Station

One of the gifts of Stations of the Cross is to come into the spiritual presence of the struggle of Good and Evil. Rather than fitting the exercise and prayers into our 21st century understanding of spirituality; we are invited, at least a moment, to enter a first century experience and a series of prayers to contextualize pain and suffering—while bringing us into the presence of God and the world before us.

Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

To what can I liken you, to what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What likeness can I use to comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For vast as the sea is your ruin. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.

A sword will pierce your own soul also and fill your heart with bitter pain.

Let us pray.

O God, who willed that in the passion of your Son a sword of grief should pierce the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother: Mercifully grant that your Church, having shared with her in his passion, may be made worthy to share in the joys of his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

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