Eighth Station, Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross, Way of the Cross 2008

Way of the Cross - 20th Century
Society of the Divine Word Generalate Archives - Rome

EIGHTH STATION
Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross

V/. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
R/. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

From the Gospel according to Mark 15: 21

And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his Cross.

MEDITATION

Simon of Cyrene was coming in from the country. He stumbled upon the procession of death and was pressed into carrying the Cross together with Jesus.

At a later date, he confirmed this act of service, expressing his satisfaction at having been of assistance to the poor condemned Prisoner, and he became one of the disciples in the early Church. He was surely the object of admiration and even envy for the special privilege of having comforted Jesus in his sufferings.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, you would have thanked Simon of Cyrene for his help, even though the Cross was actually owed to him and to each one of us. In this way, Jesus, you are grateful to us every time we help our brothers and sisters to carry their cross, although we are simply doing our duty in order to atone for our sins.

Jesus, you are at the origin of this cycle of compassion. You bear our cross, thereby enabling us to assist you in your brothers and sisters to carry the cross.

Lord, as members of your Body, we help one another to carry the cross, and we admire the great throng of "Simons of Cyrene" who, even if they do not yet have the faith, generously come to relieve your sufferings in your brothers and sisters.

When we come to the aid of our brethren in the persecuted Church, make us mindful that in reality it is we who, to an even greater extent, are being helped by them.

All:

Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.

Tui Nati vulnerati,
tam dignati pro me pati,
pœnas mecum divide.