INTRODUCTION 

You're witnessing the most profound and pivotal moment in Christian history: the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. 

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The statue you see portrays the moment when Jesus, after enduring hours of suffering, finally succumbs to death. His head is bowed, signifying His surrender to God's will and His spirit's departure from His body. This is the ultimate sacrifice, the act that Christians believe opened the doors of Heaven to humanity.

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Beside Him, you see Mother Mary, His mother, and John, His beloved disciple. Their presence in the sculpture is significant. Mary's presence is a testament to her unwavering faith and love for her Son, even in His darkest hour. Her sorrow is immeasurable, yet she stands by Him, providing a model of strength and faith for all Christians.

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John, the beloved disciple, represents all of Jesus' followers. His presence at the cross is a testament to his loyalty and love for Jesus. It's believed that before Jesus died, He entrusted His mother to John's care, creating a bond between them and symbolizing the new spiritual family of the Church.

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Understanding the Twelfth Station involves acknowledging the depth of Jesus' sacrifice, the pain endured by those who loved Him, and the hope His death brings to believers. It's a moment that encapsulates the essence of Christian faith: the belief in redemption through Jesus' death and resurrection. 

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As you stand before this statue, you're invited to reflect on these themes of sacrifice, love, loss, and ultimate hope. This is a moment of mourning, but also a moment of profound gratitude for the salvation Christians believe Jesus has offered through His death.

 

 PRAYER 

Leader: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

Response: Because, by Your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

 

Leader: Consider how Your Jesus, after three hours of agony on the cross, is finally overwhelmed with suffering and, abandoning Himself to the weight of His body, bows His head and dies.

Response: My dying Jesus, I devoutly kiss the cross on which You would die for love of me. I deserve, because of my sins, to die a terrible death; but Your death is my hope. By the merits of Your death, give me the grace to die embracing Your feet and burning with love of You. I yield my soul into Your hands. I love You with my whole heart. I am sorry that I have offended You. Never let me offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me as You will.