The Fifth Station of the Cross

The Fifth Station: Simon Helps to Carry His Cross – reflections by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

Narrator: The cross now becomes too much for Jesus to bear, so the soldiers grab a bystander, Simon, to help Jesus carry His cross.  While Jesus caries the more significant  burden, Simon plays an important part in the Passion of our Lord.  In helping Jesus carry this wood, Simon serves as an example for all who contemplate this awkward scene.  We, too, are called to be Simon, to help our brothers and sisters carry the weight of their hardships and difficulties.  Simon was transformed by this unexpected experience.  We, too, will be transformed by our acts of good will to all who are in need of our assistance.

All: Afflicted Lord, help us to notice the needs of others and assist those heavily burdened in this world.  Give us the determination to seek out those in trouble and assist them with our time, talent, and treasure.  May we give freely, expecting nothing in return except to be enriched by your abundant grace and peace.  O Christ, You are the Savior of the world. Amen.

The Fourth Station of the Cross

The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother – reflections by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

Narrator: The meeting of Jesus and His mother Mary was brief but intense.  Mary stood before her Son helplessly, recalling the words that Simeon foretold long ago: “A sword will pierce your heart.”  Jesus gazes into Mary’s eyes, and without speaking a word, assures His mother that the Lord God will not let this suffering be in vain.  Jesus feels His mother’s anguish and gives her the silent assurance that the giving of His life for all was the Father’s means to give salvation and eternal life to all those who believe.  Silently communicating her love for Jesus, Mary returns to her place in the crowd.

All:  Incarnate Lord, You are the Son of God and the Son of Mary.  When Your eyes met those of Your Most Holy Mother, she shared fully in Your anguish and knew Your pain.  As the first and greatest of all Your disciples, she was faithful to You from the crib to the cross.  Give us the strength and courage Mary had at that terrible moment, so that we may be Your witnesses before the world.  May the prayers of the Sorrowful Mother shield us from evil and protect us in temptation.  O Christ, You are the Savior of the world.  Amen

The Third Station of the Cross

The Third Station: Jesus Falls For The First Time – reflections by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

Narrator:  Already, Jesus falls under the awful weight of the cross.  He has just begun the journey and Golgotha is still so far away.  He is weak from the blows He has received, and the soldiers continue to strike Him and insult Him.  They force Him up quickly so that He will not experience any relief or any opportunity to lie in the dirt to rest for a moment.  The crowd insults Him and enjoys the spectacle unfolding before them.  Finally, Jesus gets up and continues on His way, because His work is not yet finished.

All: Grieving Lord, this falling shows the great weight of our sins.  Good Shepherd, forgive our many falls from grace and help us to feel sorrow for the pain we have caused others.  Help us to imitate Your obedience and rise up with renewed commitment to face our responsibilities.  O Christ, You are the Savior of the world. Amen.

The Second Station of the Cross

The Second Station: Jesus Accepts His Cross - reflections by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

Narrator: The cross is a large and heavy one, not simply because of its physical composition, but because all of our sins are attached to it.  Every heartache and pain, every injustice and illness, every oppression and poverty, every human misery is attached to this cross.  Jesus gladly receives all of these crosses in His own cross and carries them out to His perfect love for each of us.  When He reaches His destination on Calvary, our sins and hardships will be there with him.  When He is nailed to the wood of the cross that will be transformed into the tree of life for all who believe, the Lord will destroy the lasting effects of sin and death. 

All: Gracious Lord, how can we ever adequately thank you for taking up the cross on our behalf?  Help us to accept in faith whatever trials and burdens you may send.  Teach us to be patient with the faults of others and at peace in the face of trouble, for your yoke is easy and your burden is light.  O Christ, you are the Savior of the world. Amen.

Humanitarian Obligations as Catholics

Dear Friends in Christ,
It is important to remember our humanitarian obligations as Catholics. Our theme of “Jesus in disguise, how will you help,” reminds us that Christ is present in those who suffer—and in those who respond compassionately to their needs. The Catholic Relief Services Collection supports important Catholic organizations that carry out God’s work around the world—providing refugee resettlement, HIV/AIDS and international poverty relief, legal aid for poor immigrants, emergency and disaster relief, and advocacy for the promotion of global peace and justice.

Please know that your generosity gives hope to Jesus in disguise. Please visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections for more information about the Collection and the essential organizations funded by it.

Wishing you and all who are dear to you God’s richest blessings, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC
Bishop of Peoria

The First Station of the Cross

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death by Pilate - reflections by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

Narrator: Try to imagine what Jesus had already suffered prior to coming before Pilate.  He was betrayed by a friend.  Arrested, and taken into custody, even though he was innocent and had committed no crime.  He was mocked, scourged, spat upon and even crowned with a wreath of thorns that pressed into his head, causing great pain and loss of blood.  Now, he receives an unjust sentence of death from Pontius Pilate, who knows that Jesus is an innocent man and does not deserve to die.  In perfect obedience to His Father, Jesus accepts the death sentence, is seized by the soldiers, and led out to begin the agonizing journey to Calvary. 

All: Gentle Lord, You allowed Yourself to be condemned without uttering a word.  Wholly innocent, You stood where we belong and accepted the punishment we deserve.  Change our hearts according to Your will, and help us to die to sin and be born again in grace.  May Your obedience bring comfort to those in captivity and new hope to those suffering persecution.  O Christ, you are the Savior of the world. Amen

To view video of Bishop Jenky leading the First Station in the Cathedral click here: FIRST STATION

Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 2/28/2013

Msgr. Philip Halfacre gives a meditation on Benedict XVI

Msgr. Paul Showalter Holds Monstrance for Christ's Blessing

Monstrance which holds Christ during Holy Hour