To conclude the Stations all say the Prayer of St Richard
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for all the benefits you have won for us, for all the pains and insults you have borne for us. Most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day.
Amen!
The Proclamation of the Cross
A wooden cross or crucifix may be brought into the church and placed in the sight of the people who may come forward and offer prayerful reverence.
Hymn
When I survey the wondrous cross
where the young Prince of Glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the cross of Christ, my God:
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
The minister says these devotions.
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise you for your mighty resurrection;
by virtue of your cross
joy has come into our world.
God be gracious to us and bless us:
make his face shine upon us,
Let your ways be made known on earth:
your liberating power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God:
all the peoples praise you.
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise you for your mighty resurrection;
by virtue of your cross
joy has come into our world.
Almighty God,
as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son,
may we know your love for us,
that in humility, love and joy
we may place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen!
Hymn
A collection may be taken.
Take up thy cross, the Saviour said,
if thou wouldst my disciple be;
deny thyself, the world forsake,
and humbly follow after me.
Take up thy cross, let not its weight
fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
his strength shall bear thy spirit up,
and brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.
Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
to save thy soul from death and hell.
Take up thy cross then in his strength,
and calmly sin’s wild deluge brave
’twill guide thee to a better home,
it points to glory o’er the grave.
Take up thy cross and follow Christ,
nor think til death to lay it down
for only those who bear the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.
To thee, great Lord, the One in Three,
all praise forevermore ascend:
O grant us in our home to see
the heavenly life that knows no end.
The Conclusion
The minister says
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for you live and reign now and for ever.
Amen.
Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom
in the words our Saviour taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved mankind: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross, we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The ministers depart in silence.
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(Source of illustrations for this series, HERE. Text of the liturgy, HERE.)
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