Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle;
the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding;
and the endurance to accept the consequences
of holding to what we believe to be right.
May we put our trust in
the power of good to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see
and the faith to believe
in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall
no longer lead men to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace,
praying always for the inspiration
and the power to fulfill the destiny
for which we and all men were created.
Amen.
Christ in Jospeh’s Workshop, by Matteo Pagano, 1600’s
Prayer to St. Joseph, Patron of Workers
Glorious Saint Joseph,
you are the pattern of all who work.
Obtain for me, please,
the grace to work conscientiously
and to put devotion to duty
before my selfish inclinations.
Help me to labor in thankfulness and joy,
for it is an honour to employ
and to develop by my labour the gifts
I have received from almighty God.
Grant that I may work in orderliness,
peace, moderation and patience
without shrinking from weariness and difficulties.
I offer my fatigue and perplexities
as reparation for sin.
I shall work, above all,
with a pure intention
and with detachment from self,
having always before my eyes
the hour of death
and the accounting
which I must then render of time ill-spent,
of talents unemployed,
of good undone,
and of empty pride in success,
which is so fatal to the work of God.
For Jesus through Mary,
all in imitation of you,
good Saint Joseph.
This shall be my motto in life and in death.
Amen.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. O Jesus! So meek and uncomplaining,
teach me resignation in trials. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Second Station
Jesus Carries His Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. O Jesus! This Cross should be mine, not Thine!
My sins crucified Thee. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Third Station
Jesus Falls the First Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. O Jesus! By this first fall, never let me fall into mortal sin. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Fourth Station
Jesus Meets His Mother
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. O Jesus! May no human tie, however dear,
keep me from following the road of the Cross. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Fifth Station
Simon, the Cyrenean,
Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Simon unwillingly assisted Thee;
may I with patience suffer all for Thee. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. O Jesus! Thou didst imprint Thy sacred features upon
Veronica’s veil; stamp them also indelibly upon my heart. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Seventh Station
Jesus Falls the Second Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. By Thy second fall, preserve me,
dear Lord, from relapse into sin. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Eighth Station
Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. My greatest consolation would be to hear Thee say:
“Many sins are forgiven thee, because thou hast loved much.” Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Ninth Station
Jesus Falls the Third Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. O Jesus! When I am weary upon life’s long journey,
be Thou my strength and my perseverance. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Tenth Station
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. My soul has been robbed of its robe of innocence;
clothe me, dear Jesus, with the garb of penance and contrition. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Eleventh Station
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Thou didst forgive Thy enemies;
my God, teach me to forgive injuries and forget them. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Twelfth Station
Jesus Dies on the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Thou art dying, my Jesus, but Thy Sacred Heart
still throbs with love for Thy sinful children. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Thirteenth Station
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Receive me into thy arms, O Sorrowful Mother,
and obtain for me perfect contrition for my sins. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Fourteenth Station
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. When I receive Thee into my heart in Holy Communion,
O Jesus, make it a fit abiding place for Thy adorable Body. Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.
Amen.
Prayers highlighted in bold in the Short Way of the Cross as used by The Franciscan Fathers on their Missions. The accompanying prayers are from traditional Stations of the Cross.