Stations of the Cross - Christ Church St Laurence · the Stations date from 16th century. In particular the Franciscans, who obtained a special indulgence from Pope Innocent XI in

Stationsof the Cross

A Lenten DevotionBased on Fourteen Sonnets for the Stations of the Cross by

The Reverend Dr Malcom Guite

CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCERailway Square, Sydney

CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCERailway Square, Sydney 32

Opening DevotionsThe people stand as the bell is rung.

Celebrant: In the Name of the † Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.People: Amen.

Celebrant: Lord, have mercy.People: Christ, have mercy.Celebrant: Lord, have mercy.

People: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Celebrant: We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ:People: In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection.Celebrant: Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our

salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: Amen.

The people sing a hymn as the procession makes its way to the first station.

A history the Stations of the CrossFrom the earliest days of the church, pilgrims to Jerusalem have followed the path Jesus trod from the house of Pontius Pilate, where he was condemned, to Calvary’s Cross and the Sepulchre. In the Middle Ages those who were unable to travel to the Holy Land began to retrace the journey around their own church, where they often set up pictures of the incidents on that journey to help their devotion. The Stations were originally conducted outdoors where each depiction of Christ’s Passion became a “station” where they would stop to meditate and pray. Devotional manuals about the Stations date from 16th century. In particular the Franciscans, who obtained a special indulgence from Pope Innocent XI in 1686, fostered the popularity of this devotional practice. Today the Stations of the Cross are generally used in Lent amongst Christians of many denominations. They are a pilgrimage through which we seek healing and hope. As witnesses, we enter a drama of death and reconciliation and with God’s Grace, are able to offer prayers for ourselves and the world.

In this booklet, each Station of the Cross is accompanied by a reading from sonnets composed by the Anglican priest and poet, the Reverend Dr Malcolm Guite. The full text of his fourteen poems for the Stations of the Cross, is included for your further reflection.

Preparatory PrayerMerciful Redeemer, you have said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself ” ( John 12.32), accompany me as I share in your Passion. With a contrite heart and penitent spirit, I kneel before you. Through the pain and suffering draw me closer to you. Console me and show me your way of peace and forgiveness.



Celebrant: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.People: Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

John 18.33-40Then Pilate summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth? After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit.

I Jesus comes before Pilate

... The man who stands there making no defence,Is God. His hands are tied, His heart is open.And he bears Pilate’s heart in his and feelsThat crushing weight of wasted life. He liftsIt up in silent love. He lifts and heals.He gives himself again with all his giftsInto our hands. As Pilate turns awayA door swings open. This is judgment day.

Silence is kept.

Celebrant: Let us proclaim the mystery of our redemption.People: Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.

You are the saviour of the world.

HYMN: New English Hymnal, 97The people sing:

1. At the Cross her station keeping,Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus at the last.

THE FIRST STATIONJesus is brought before Pilate

I Jesus is condemned to death

The very air that Pilate breathes, the voiceWith which he speaks in judgment, all his powersOf perception and discrimination, choice,Decision, all his years, his days and hours,His consciousness of self, his every sense,Are given by this prisoner, freely given.The man who stands there making no defence,Is God. His hands are tied, His heart is open.And he bears Pilate’s heart in his and feelsThat crushing weight of wasted life. He liftsIt up in silent love. He lifts and heals.He gives himself again with all his giftsInto our hands. As Pilate turns awayA door swings open. This is judgment day.

Malcolm Guite




John 19.9-17Pilate asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.”When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

II Jesus is given his cross... He gives himself again with all his giftsAnd now we give him something in return...We took his iron to edge an axe’s blade,We took the axe and laid it to the tree,We made a cross of all that he has made,And laid it on the one who made us free.Now he receives again and lifts on highThe gifts he gave and we have turned awry.

Silence is kept.Celebrant: Let us proclaim the mystery of our redemption.People: Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You

are the saviour of the world.HYMN: New English Hymnal, 97The people sing:

2. Through her soul, of joy bereaved, Bowed with anguish, deeply grieved, Now at length the sword hath passed.

THE SECOND STATIONJesus takes up his Cross

II Jesus is given his cross

He gives himself again with all his giftsAnd now we give him something in return.He gave the earth that bears, the air that lifts,Water to cleanse and cool, fire to burn,And from these elements he forged the iron,From strands of life he wove the growing wood,He made the stones that pave the roads of ZionHe saw it all and saw that it is good.We took his iron to edge an axe’s blade,We took the axe and laid it to the tree,We made a cross of all that he has made,And laid it on the one who made us free.Now he receives again and lifts on highThe gifts he gave and we have turned awry.

Malcolm Guite




Psalm 119.25-28, 81-82My soul clings to the dust:revive me according to your word.When I told of my ways, you answered me:teach me your statutes.Make me understand the way of your precepts:and I will meditate on your wondrous works.My soul melts away for sorrow:strengthen me according to your word.My soul languishes for your salvation:I hope in your word.My eyes fail with watching for your promise:I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

III Jesus falls the first time

... And now he falls upon the stones that bruiseThe flesh, that break and scrape the tender skin.He and the earth he made were never closer,Divinity and dust come face to face.We flinch back from his via dolorosa,He sets his face like flint and takes our place,Staggers beneath the black weight of us allAnd falls with us that he might break our fall.

Silence is kept.

Celebrant: Let us proclaim the mystery of our redemption.People: Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You

are the saviour of the world.


3. O, that blessed one, grief-laden, Blessed Mother, blessed Maiden, Mother of the all holy One.

THE THIRD STATIONJesus falls a first time

III Jesus falls the first time

He made the stones that pave the roads of ZionAnd well he knows the path we make him treadHe met the devil as a roaring lionAnd still refused to turn these stones to bread,Choosing instead, as Love will always choose,This darker path into the heart of pain.And now he falls upon the stones that bruiseThe flesh, that break and scrape the tender skin.He and the earth he made were never closer,Divinity and dust come face to face.We flinch back from his via dolorosa,He sets his face like flint and takes our place,Staggers beneath the black weight of us allAnd falls with us that he might break our fall.

Malcolm Guite




Luke 2.34-35Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

IV Jesus meets his mother

... This darker path into the heart of painWas also hers whose love enfolded himIn flesh and wove him in her womb.Now she enfolds the worldHe loves in prayer; the mothers of the disappearedWho know her pain, all bodies bowed and curledIn desperation on this road of tears,Are folded in the mantle of her prayer.

Silence is kept.




4. O that silent, ceaseless mourning, O those dim eyes, never turning From that wondrous, suffering Son.

THE FOURTH STATIONJesus meets his Mother

IV Jesus meets his mother

This darker path into the heart of painWas also hers whose love enfolded himIn flesh and wove him in her womb. AgainThe sword is piercing. She, who cradled himAnd gentled and protected her young sonMust stand and watch the cruelty that marsHer maiden making. Waves of pain that stunAnd sicken pass across his face and hersAs their eyes meet. Now she enfolds the worldHe loves in prayer; the mothers of the disappearedWho know her pain, all bodies bowed and curledIn desperation on this road of tears,All the grief-stricken in their last despair,Are folded in the mantle of her prayer.

Malcolm Guite




Luke 23.26As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who wascoming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made himcarry it behind Jesus.

V Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

... Bystanders and bypassers turn awayIn other’s pain we face our own worst fearsAnd turn our backs to keep those fears at bayUnless we are compelled as this man wasBy force of arms or force of circumstanceTo face and feel and carry someone’s cross.So Simon, no disciple, still fulfilledThe calling: ‘take the cross and follow me’.

Silence is kept.




5. Who on Christ’s dear Mother gazing, In her trouble so amazing, Born of woman, would not weep?

THE FIFTH STATIONSimon helps Jesus to carry the Cross

V Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

In desperation on this road of tearsBystanders and bypassers turn awayIn other’s pain we face our own worst fearsAnd turn our backs to keep those fears at bayUnless we are compelled as this man wasBy force of arms or force of circumstanceTo face and feel and carry someone’s crossIn Love’s full glare and not his backward glance.So Simon, no disciple, still fulfilledThe calling: ‘take the cross and follow me’.By accident his life was stalled and stilledBecoming all he was compelled to be.Make me, like him, your pressed man and your priest,Your alter Christus, burdened and released.

Malcolm Guite




Matthew 25.37-40‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

VI Veronica wipes the face of Jesus... She keeps her station. She is here to stayAnd stem the flow. She is the reliquaryOf his last look on her. Because she wiped the grime from off his skin,And glimpsed the godhead in his human faceWhose hidden image we all bear within,Through all our veils and shrouds of daily painThe face of god is shining once again.

Silence is kept.




6. Who on Christ’s dear Mother thinking, Such a cup of sorrow drinking, Would not share her sorrow deep?

THE SIXTH STATIONVeronica wipes Jesus’s face

VI Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Bystanders and bypassers turn awayAnd wipe his image from their memoryShe keeps her station. She is here to stayAnd stem the flow. She is the reliquaryOf his last look on her. The bloody sweatAnd salt tears of his love are soaking throughThe folds of her devotion and the wetfolds of her handkerchief, like the dewOf morning, like a softening rain of grace.Because she wiped the grime from off his skin,And glimpsed the godhead in his human faceWhose hidden image we all bear within,Through all our veils and shrouds of daily painThe face of god is shining once again.

Malcolm Guite




Isaiah 53.4-6It was our weaknesses that he carried, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the punishment that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.

VII Jesus falls the second time

... The second rounds of torture, the futilityOf all unheeded pleading, every scream in vain.And by this fall he finds the fallen soulsWho passed a first, but failed a second trial,The souls who thought their faith would hold them wholeAnd found it only held them for a while.Be with us when the road is twice as longAs we can bear. By weakness make us strong.

Silence is kept.




7. For his people’s sins, in anguish, There she saw the victim languish, Bleed in torments, bleed and die:

THE SEVENTH STATIONJesus falls a second time

VII Jesus falls the second time

Through all our veils and shrouds of daily pain,Through our bruised bruises and re-opened scars,He falls and stumbles with us, hurt againWhen we are hurt again. With us he bearsThe cruel repetitions of our cruelty;The beatings of already beaten men,The second rounds of torture, the futilityOf all unheeded pleading, every scream in vain.And by this fall he finds the fallen soulsWho passed a first, but failed a second trial,The souls who thought their faith would hold them wholeAnd found it only held them for a while.Be with us when the road is twice as longAs we can bear. By weakness make us strong.

Malcolm Guite




Luke 23.27-31A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

VIII Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

... These women move Compassion in him as he does in them.Women of Gaza and Jerusalem,Women of every nation where the deepWounds of memory divide the landAnd the lives of all your children, where the minesOf all our wars are sown.He weeps with you and with you he will stayUntil the day he wipes your tears away.

Silence is kept.




8. Saw the Lord’s anointed taken; Saw her Child in death forsaken, Heard his last expiring cry.

THE EIGHTH STATIONJesus meets the women of Jerusalem

VIII Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

He falls and stumbles with us, hurt againBut still he holds the road and looks in loveOn all of us who look on him. Our painAs close to him as his. These women moveCompassion in him as he does in them.He asks us both to weep and not to weep.Women of Gaza and Jerusalem,Women of every nation where the deepWounds of memory divide the landAnd lives of all your children, where the minesOf all our wars are sown: Afghanistan ,Iraq, the Cote d’Ivoire… he reads the signsAnd weeps with you and with you he will stayUntil the day he wipes your tears away.

Malcolm Guite




John 12.23-26Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.’

IX Jesus falls the third time

... He stumbles just beside you when the doubtThat always haunts you, cuts you down at lastAnd takes away the hope that drove you on.This is the third fall and it hurts the worstThis long descent from which there seems no rising and no willTo rise, or breathe or bear your own heart beat.And you could almost wish for defeatExcept that You find your God beside you on his knees.

Silence is kept.



HYMN: New English Hymnal, 97

The people sing:

9. In the Passion of my Maker, Be my sinful soul partaker, May I bear with her my part;

THE NINTH STATIONJesus falls a third time

IX Jesus falls the third time

He weeps with you and with you he will stayWhen all your staying power has run outYou can’t go on, you go on anyway.He stumbles just beside you when the doubtThat always haunts you, cuts you down at lastAnd takes away the hope that drove you on.This is the third fall and it hurts the worstThis long descent through darkness to depressionFrom which there seems no rising and no willTo rise, or breathe or bear your own heart beat.Twice you survived; this third will surely kill,And you could almost wish for that defeatExcept that in the cold hell where you freezeYou find your God beside you on his knees.

Malcolm Guite




Psalm 22.1, 7, 8, 17, 18My God, my God, why have you forsaken me:Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?All who see me mock at me:they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;“Commit your cause to the LORD— let him deliver him:let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”For dogs are all around me:a company of evildoers encircles me.They stare and gloat over me:they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.

X Jesus is stripped of his garments

... Now is the time to loosen, cast awayThe useless weight of everything but loveFor he began his letting go before,Before the worlds for which he dies were made,Emptied himself, became one of the poor,To make you rich in him and unafraid.See as they strip the robe from off his backThey strip away your own defences too.

Silence is kept.




10. Of his Passion bear the token, In a spirit bowed and broken Bear his death within my heart.

THE TENTH STATIONJesus is stripped of his clothes

X Jesus is stripped of his garments

You can’t go on, you go on anywayHe goes with you, his cradle to your grave.Now is the time to loosen, cast awayThe useless weight of everything but loveFor he began his letting go before,Before the worlds for which he dies were made,Emptied himself, became one of the poor,To make you rich in him and unafraid.See as they strip the robe from off his backThey strip away your own defences tooNow you could lose it all and never lackNow you can see what naked Love can doLet go these bonds beneath whose weight you bowHis stripping strips you both for action now.

Malcolm Guite




Luke 23.33-37When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself !”

XI Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross

... On this tree Loss becomes gain, death opens into birth.Here wounding heals and fastening makes freeEarth breathes in heaven, heaven roots in earth.And here we see Where love and hatred meet and love stays trueWhere sin meets grace and darkness turns to lightWe see what love can bear and be and do,And here our saviour calls us to his sideHis love is free, his arms are open wide.

Silence is kept.




11. May his wounds both wound and heal me, He enkindle, cleanse, anneal me, Be his Cross my hope and stay.

THE ELEVENTH STATIONJesus is nailed to the Cross

XI Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross

See, as they strip the robe from off his backAnd spread his arms and nail them to the cross,The dark nails pierce him and the sky turns black,And love is firmly fastened onto loss.But here a pure change happens. On this treeLoss becomes gain, death opens into birth.Here wounding heals and fastening makes freeEarth breathes in heaven, heaven roots in earth.And here we see the length, the breadth, the heightWhere love and hatred meet and love stays trueWhere sin meets grace and darkness turns to lightWe see what love can bear and be and do,And here our saviour calls us to his sideHis love is free, his arms are open wide.

Malcolm Guite




The people remain kneeling for the Twelfth Station.

Luke 23.44-46,49It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

XII Jesus dies on the cross

... We hear him struggle breathing through the painWho once breathed out his spirit on the deep,Who formed us when he mixed the dust with rainAnd drew us into consciousness from sleep.His spirit and his life he breathes in allAnd now he comes to breathe beneath the pallOf our pollutions, draw our injured airTo cleanse it and renew. His final breathBreathes us, and bears us through the gates of death.

Silence is kept.




12. May he, when the mountains quiver, From that flame which burns for ever Shield me on the judgement day.

THE TWELFTH STATIONJesus dies on the Cross

XII Jesus dies on the cross

The dark nails pierce him and the sky turns blackWe watch him as he labours to draw breathHe takes our breath away to give it back,Return it to it’s birth through his slow death.We hear him struggle breathing through the painWho once breathed out his spirit on the deep,Who formed us when he mixed the dust with rainAnd drew us into consciousness from sleep.His spirit and his life he breathes in allMantles his world in his one atmosphereAnd now he comes to breathe beneath the pallOf our pollutions, draw our injured airTo cleanse it and renew. His final breathBreathes us, and bears us through the gates of death.

Malcolm Guite




Mark 15.42-47When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus saw where the body was laid.

XIII Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross

... Here at the centre everything is stillSpent, and emptied, opened to the core.A quiet taking down, a prising looseA long withdrawing of each bloodied nail,This is emptiness and spaceWith nothing left to say or think or doBut look unflinching on the sacred faceYet in that prising loose and letting beHe has unfastened you and set you free.

Silence is kept.




13. Jesu, may thy Cross defend me, And thy saving death befriend me, Cherished by thy deathless grace.

THE THIRTEENTH STATIONJesus is taken down from the Cross

XIII Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross

His spirit and his life he breathes in allNow on this cross his body breathes no moreHere at the centre everything is stillSpent, and emptied, opened to the core.A quiet taking down, a prising looseA cross-beam lowered like a weighing scaleUnmaking of each thing that had its useA long withdrawing of each bloodied nail,This is ground zero, emptiness and spaceWith nothing left to say or think or doBut look unflinching on the sacred faceThat cannot move or change or look at you.Yet in that prising loose and letting beHe has unfastened you and set you free.

Malcolm Guite




Luke 23.54-56, 24.1It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.

XIV Jesus is laid in the tomb

... So they anoint the skin that cannot feelSoothing his ruined flesh with tender care,Kissing the wounds they know they cannot heal,With incense scenting only empty air.He blesses every love that weeps and grievesAnd makes our grief the pangs of a new birth.The love that’s poured in silence at old gravesRenewing flowers, tending the bare earth,Is never lost. In him all love is foundAnd sown with him, a seed in the rich ground.

Silence is kept.




14. When to dust my dust returneth, Grant a soul that to thee yearneth In thy Paradise a place.

THE FOURTEENTH STATIONJesus is laid in the tomb

XIV Jesus is laid in the tombHere at the centre everything is stillBefore the stir and movement of our griefWhich bears it’s pain with rhythm, ritual,Beautiful useless gestures of relief.So they anoint the skin that cannot feelSoothing his ruined flesh with tender care,Kissing the wounds they know they cannot heal,With incense scenting only empty air.He blesses every love that weeps and grievesAnd makes our grief the pangs of a new birth.The love that’s poured in silence at old gravesRenewing flowers, tending the bare earth,Is never lost. In him all love is foundAnd sown with him, a seed in the rich ground.

Malcolm Guite



Celebrant: O merciful God, you have made all people and you hate nothing that you have made, nor desire the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn and live: have mercy on all who have not known you, or who deny the faith of Christ crucified; take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to your fold, that we may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

People: Amen.

Celebrant: May the cross of the Son of God, who is mightier than all the hosts of Satan, and more glorious than all the angels of heaven, abide with you in your going out and your coming in. By day and by night, at morning and at evening, at all times and in all places, may it protect and defend you. From the wrath of evil people, from the assaults of evil spirits, from foes visible and invisible, from the snares of the devil, from all low passions that beguile the soul and body, may it guard, protect, and deliver you.

People: Amen.

Celebrant: May our Lord Jesus Christ bless us, who for us was scourged, laden with his Cross, and crucified.

People: Amen.

A final hymn is sung.

PLEASE TAKE THIS BOOKLET WITH YOU AT THE END OF THE SERVICE

CONCLUDING PRAYERS BEFORE THE ALTARCelebrant: Lord, have mercy.People: Christ, have mercy.Celebrant: Lord, have mercy.

People: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Celebrant: Almighty God, look with mercy on this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and to be given into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

People: Amen.Celebrant: Almighty and everlasting God,

by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: receive our prayers and supplications, which we offer before you for all people in your holy church, that all its members, in their vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve you; through our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

People: Amen.

CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCERailway Square, Sydney34

Text:The Stations of the Cross : 14 Sonnets by The Reverend Malcolm GuiteMalcolm Guite’s research interests include the intersection of religion and the arts, and the examination of the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, and British poets such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He is currently a Bye-Fellow and chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge and associate chaplain of St Edward King and Martyr in Cambridge. On several occasions, he has taught as visiting faculty at several colleges and universities in England and North America. Guite is the author of books of poetry, as well as several books on Christian faith and theology. He has a decisively simple, formalist style in poems, many of which are sonnets, with a stated aim to “be profound without ceasing to be beautiful”. Guite performs as a singer and guitarist fronting the Cambridgeshire-based blues, rhythm and blues, and rock band “Mystery Train”.This is taken from Malcolm Guite’s blog:‘Here is a complete sequence of sonnets for the Stations of the Cross. ... Anyone who wishes to make use of them for personal devotion or reproduce them for use in their Church can do so. Please feel free to make use of them in any way you like, and to reproduce them, but I would be grateful if you could include in any hand-outs a link back to this blog so that people who wish to can follow the rest of the sequence through the church year, of which these stations are a part and which will I hope, eventually form a book of sonnets for the whole church year’.(https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/good-friday-the-stations-of-the-cross/)

Scriptual textsNew Revised Standard Version Bible 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

ImagesThe mosaic artwork is created by Alberto Garcia Alvarez, and the mosaics themselves executed by Fauret Mosaic Studios, Pietrasanta, Italy. Photos are courtesy of Paul Flores .They cover the walls of the nave of St Joachim’s Church 401 W. 5th St, Madera CA 93637.

Compiled and edited by Ann Bergman, 2020.

The Anglican Parish of

CHRIST CHURCH ST LAURENCERailway Suare, Sydney Consecrated 1845

Documents

Stations of the Cross - Christ Church St Laurence · the Stations date from 16th century. In particular the Franciscans, who obtained a special indulgence from Pope Innocent XI in