Prayers
Prayer for the Holy Steps
Jn 18, 28 – 19, 16
They brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” (…)
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Opening Prayer
Why, o Lord, do you accept this humiliation, suffering and shameful death? You make amends for my pride and for my disobedience to the Heavenly Father’s will, which is expressed by the Ten Commandments and by my conscience. Offering you, Lord Jesus, this time of thanksgiving and love, I want to recollect myself in prayer and renew my determination to give myself to you completely.
Prayer While Climbing the Holy Steps
A prayer intention is specified, and on each step, kneeling, an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be are prayed.
Concluding Prayer
Good Jesus! Thank you for having allowed me to experience these steps of your passion. Heavenly Father, accept my poor reflections, prayers and intentions! Have mercy on me and on all humankind, for whom our Saviour suffered so much. May his passion lead us to you. Amen.
