The Ninth Station of the Cross-Jesus fall for the third Time
Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee,
All (genuflect): Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Jesus, arriving exhausted at the foot of Calvary, falls for the third time to the ground. His love for us, however, is not diminished, not extinguished. What a fearfully oppressive burden our sins must be to cause Jesus to fall so often! Had He, however, not taken them upon Himself, they would have plunged us into the abyss of Hell.
Most merciful Jesus, I return Thee infinite thanks for not permitting me to continue in sin and to fall, as I have so often deserved, into the depths of Hell. Enkindle in me an earnest desire of amendment; let me never again relapse, but vouchsafe me the grace to persevere in penance to the end of my life.
OUR FATHER
HAIL MARY
GLORY BE
Lord Jesus, crucified, Have mercy on us!
STABAT MATER
O thou Mother! fount of love,
Touch my spirit from above.
Make my heart with thine accord
The Tenth Station of the Cross-Jesus is Stripped of His garments
Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee,
All (genuflect): Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
When our Savior had arrived on Calvary, He was cruelly despoiled of His garments. How painful this must have been because they adhered to His wounded and torn body, and with them parts of His bloody skin were removed! All the wounds of Jesus are renewed. Jesus was despoiled of His garments that He might die possessed of nothing; how happy will I also die after laying aside my former self with all evil desires and sinful inclinations!
Induce me, O Jesus, to lay aside my former self and to be renewed according to Thy will and desire. I will not spare myself, however painful this should be for me: despoiled of things temporal, of my own will, I desire to die, in order to live for Thee forever.
OUR FATHER
HAIL MARY
GLORY BE
Lord Jesus, crucified, Have mercy on us!
STABAT MATER
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.