The Way of the Cross for the Holy Souls

“It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” -
2 Mach. 12:46 http://luckyhay2001.wix.com/souls
The Way of the Cross represents the sorrowful journey that Jesus Christ made with the cross to die on Calvary. The church teaches that the Souls in Purgatory undergo a process of purification that must include suffering. By praying and making sacrifices for the Holy Souls, you have the marvelous power and privilege to relieve their pain. In return, their gratitude will bring you countless blessings. May a stream of mercy flow from you to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
AN ACT OF CONTRITION
My Jesus! I love you above all things. I hate and detest all my sins, because by them I have offended you. The holy indulgences, the fruits and merits of this devotion I intend to gain for the souls in Purgatory, in particular for those who in life were near and dear to me, and also for those for whom I am, in a special way, obliged to pray. O Mary, my merciful Mother and the Mother of the poor souls in
Purgatory accompany me, by your intercession, on this journey.
BEFORE EVERY STATION:
V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
THE FIRST STATION
Jesus is Condemned to Death
O my innocent Jesus, to free me from eternal death, you allowed yourself to be condemned by a pagan judge to the death of the cross. Give me a hatred for sin and the grace to live that I may one day obtain from you a merciful sentence. The poor souls in Purgatory have already been judged. Through your mercy they have escaped hell, yet on account of their sins your justice has condemned them to the fire of Purgatory. O most merciful Jesus have pity on them. Revoke the sentence of their
exile and open to them the gates of heaven.
AT THE END OF EVERY STATION: Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord –
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
THE SECOND STATION
Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
THE THIRD STATION
Jesus Falls for the First Time Under His Cross
Through your weakness under the cross and the merits of this first fall, grant me perseverance in my good resolutions that I may always walk faithfully in your holy ways. The souls in Purgatory now suffer because they neglected and abused your graces in this life. They now realize that no sin-stained soul can see God. Have mercy, therefore, on them and cleanse them from all sin. Through the intercession of your sorrowful Mother, deliver them from Purgatory.
THE FOURTH STATION
Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother
THE FIFTH STATION
The Cyrenian Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross
THE SIXTH STATION
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
THE SEVENTH STATION
Jesus Falls the Second Time
THE EIGHTH STATION
Jesus Comforts the Women of Jerusalem
THE NINTH STATION
Jesus Falls the Third Time
THE TENTH STATION
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
THE ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
THE TWELFTH STATION
Jesus Dies On the Cross
Through your three hours’ agony on the cross, grant me, O Jesus, a happy death. Take me when I am best prepared. In that hour fill my soul with holy sentiments of faith, hope and charity. Grant me true and perfect contrition for my sins and the grace to accept with Christian resignation my death with all its pains and sufferings. May I leave this world invoking your most Holy Name. Mary Mother of Sorrows, refuge of the dying, be near me in my last agony. Remember, O most loving Jesus, the poor souls with that love with which you did give comfort to the good thief: “This day you shall be with me in Paradise.” Call these souls into the kingdom of your glory, that they may praise you together with all the angels and saints forever and ever.
THE THIRTEENTH STATION
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
THE FOURTEENTH STATION
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
CLOSING PRAYER
My crucified Redeemer, I offer you this devout exercise, which by your grace, I have just finished. Grant that the precious fruits of your death on the cross be not lost either for me or for the souls in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of Sorrows, place my petitions in the Heart of your beloved Son, so that I may be admitted into the kingdom of grace, there together with my dear ones, both living and dead, to be blessed eternally. O Gentlest Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed
with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on them. Be not severe in your judgments, but let some drops of your Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames, and do you O merciful Savior, send your angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on them.