Introductory prayer
Lord of hosts, we stand before you to meditate on the mystery of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. We are accompanied by angels and saints who support us with their help and prayers. In a special way we recall Saint Michael the Archangel, our patron and intercessor. Through prayer we want to change our lives and perfect ourselves in the virtues that enable us to do good. Entering into the mystery of the spiritual world and enjoying the fruits of redemption, we want to give you glory and persevere in faithfulness to the end. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
First Station – Jesus is condemned to death
Saint Michael the Archangel is the defender of the souls of the righteous. Every good is supported and strengthened by it. By the power of God, he overcomes evil and injustice. The sentence passed on Jesus is the most unjust sentence in the world. The trial, conducted under cover of night, with the citation of false witnesses, was sealed by a one-man decision of Pilate. Against justice, the One Just is sentenced to death.
Second Station – Jesus takes the cross on His shoulders
Saint Michael the Archangel is the standard-bearer of the Holy Cross. In the fight for salvation for man, he shows the victorious banner with a cross on which there is an inscription: “In this sign you will win.” Jesus takes up the cross because, in the name of love, he allowed us to overcome human sin and bring us salvation. From now on, each step will have a special power. It will be the power of a love capable of sacrifice. Jesus’ last journey begins. From now on, the cross and Jesus are bound forever.
Third Station – Jesus falls for the first time at the foot of the cross
Saint Michael the Archangel is the spirit of all ministers. His ability to serve is simply astonishing. He is not only a messenger, but also a servant in the struggle for man’s salvation. Jesus slowly rises from the ground. There is no one in sight willing to lend Him a helping hand. He knows that in this abandonment the invisible part of his Passion is fulfilled. In solitude he will carry what others have despised. He can only count on the presence of the world of angels.
Fourth Station – Jesus meets His Mother
Saint Michael the Archangel is the ruler of the heavenly court. In heaven he is subject not only to God, but also to the Blessed Mother, who is the true Queen of Angels. The Angelic Queen stands on the road on which the Son carries a heavy cross. She would gladly switch places, because that’s how a real mother loves. He decreases so that He can grow. In Jesus suffering and at the same time believes in the success of God’s plan. The Mother never abandons her Son.
Fifth Station – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
Saint Michael the Archangel is a benevolent measurer of merit. Mercy and justice are the main characteristics of the judgment that the Creator entrust to Him. Heaven also turns out to be extremely favourable to Simon. It is true that he has to suffer as part of being forced to help, but in the perspective of salvation he was shown an extraordinary grace. He shares in the way of Jesus, and it will certainly be reckoned to him for his justice. After all, good deserves a reward.
Sixth Station – Veronica wipes the face of the Lord Jesus
Saint Michael the Archangel is the messenger of God. He appears where he is needed and patiently awaited. He is the herald of the coming help from heaven. Veronica found herself with Jesus not by accident. She had to plan her way to Him in such a way that noone would notice that she was helping the condemned man without the consent of the soldiers. She became a messenger of mercy and pity for suffering man. She fulfilled her mission with great tenderness.
Seventh Station – The Second Fall at the Cross
Saint Michael the Archangel is the guide of souls to heaven. It places God at the centre of human needs and desires. His teaching is simple. It is a cry: “Who is like God”. The second fall of Jesus is a lesson for those who thought the first one was humiliating enough. Human weakness fails man at the least expected moment. Thanks to it, no one can say that he will merit his own salvation. It is always only by the grace of Jesus.
Eighth Station – Jesus comforts the weeping women of Jerusalem
Saint Michael the Archangel is the stronghold of the People of God. His fidelity to God makes him an invincible angel who conquers with the power of God’s glory. The women who stand in the way weeping fulfil the psalmist’s announcement, which sang: “They staggered and fell, and we stand and stand.” The women persevered because they loved who Jesus was and believed every word He spoke to them. They receive a word of comfort.
Ninth Station – Jesus falls for the third time at the foot of the cross
Saint Michael the Archangel is the restorer of God’s order. It restores order in the hierarchy that God established at the beginning of the creation of the world. Only in this way can good triumph. The third fall of Jesus also restores order in the world. Touching the ground three times is a gesture that puts it in the right position. The world is to remember the hand that touched it and pointed the way. Otherwise, happiness will be lost. Even a fall can be the beginning of a great blessing.
Tenth Station – Jesus stripped of His garments
Saint Michael the Archangel is a rainbow in the storm of temptations. His action is a harbinger of the coming victory over all that temptation brings. The appearance of good means nothing in the face of God’s promise. Stripping of one’s garments is a representation of man in his nakedness. The beauty of the human body is exposed to ridicule and disgrace. Man could not resist this temptation. He forgot the promise that made the human flesh a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Eleventh Station – Jesus is nailed to the cross
Saint Michael the Archangel is brave in battle. He can endure much adversity to bring His work to completion. Only fighting makes sense. Evil does not recognize dialogue and compromise. Jesus submits his hands to the blows of the hammer. In his suffering, he is brave and does not curse those who cause him pain. The nails encounter the resistance of the cross. They become proof that the sin that Jesus took upon himself is not trivial, but carries death within it.
Twelfth Station – Jesus dies on the cross
Saint Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of the dying. He appears at the hour of death to support those who are finishing their pilgrimage on earth. He shows them a new world. The Divine Pilgrim also ends his life on the cross. His work demanded a great sacrifice that transcended the limitations of time and space. All generations will benefit from the benefits of this death. From now on, death is only a passage to another life.
Thirteenth Station – Jesus is taken down from the cross
Saint Michael the Archangel is a knight of the Mother of God. Every knight vows to the lady of his heart to be faithful in each situation. He is at her service. Christ’s body in the arms of the Blessed Mother is a sign of Her consent to the sacrifice of the Son. Mary preceded Abraham in faith. She allowed her Son to be placed on the sacrificial altar. She thus became the Mother of all believers.
Fourteenth Station – Jesus is laid in the tomb
Saint Michael the Archangel is the saviour of souls from purgatory. He is not limited by our world, but is also present in purgatory, where he leads souls to eternal light. Jesus descending to Sheol (the underworld in Hebrew) brings help to mankind who have been painfully awaiting the coming of their Deliverer. The tomb became the door for the people who had died and at the same time it became the exit for the Risen One who overcame the sting of death. Darkness ceased to reign in the tomb and a new light shone.
Concluding prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, most precious joy and consolation, Saviour and lover of all penitents, deign to remember the passion you suffered, inspire us with true repentance, grant us perseverance in our resolutions, reparation for our sins and gracious forgiveness of all our sins. Who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
From The Angels: Vol14 issue 2
