Saints LightFifth Station: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
The Fifth Station recalls Simon of Cyrene, pressed into carrying the cross (Mark 15:21, which also names his sons Alexander and Rufus); written for this app in the spirit of St Alphonsus Liguori. Pray it when someone else's need interrupts your plans.
The prayer
V. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
R. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
The soldiers fear Jesus will die before he reaches the hill, so they seize a man coming in from the country, Simon of Cyrene, and force him to carry the cross. Simon did not ask for this. Yet walking behind Jesus, sharing his load, he is drawn into the greatest work of love the world has ever seen. Mark names his sons, as if the first Christians knew them well.
Lord Jesus, you let another man help you carry your cross. Open my eyes to the people around me who are struggling, and make me willing to share their burdens, even when it is inconvenient.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Pray it this week
Offer practical help this week to one person who is carrying too much: a meal, a ride, an errand, or an hour of your time.
More in Stations of the Cross
- Stations of the Cross: Opening Prayer
- First Station: Jesus Is Condemned to Death
- Second Station: Jesus Takes Up His Cross
- Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time
- Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother
- Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
- Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time
- Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
- Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time
- Tenth Station: Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
- Eleventh Station: Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
- Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
- Thirteenth Station: Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
- Fourteenth Station: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
- Stations of the Cross: Closing Prayer
- The whole Prayer Book
Keep this prayer with you
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