St. Patrick's
Fifth Station
Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
As the strength of Jesus fails, and he is unable to proceed, the executioners seize and compel Simon of Cyrene to carry His cross. The grace of that cross changes the Cyrenean’s heart and from the compulsory task, it becomes a privilege and joy.
O Lord Jesus, may it be our privilege to bear our cross. May we glory in nothing else; by the cross, may the world be crucified unto us, and we unto the world. May we never shrink from suffering but rather rejoice if we should be counted worthy to suffer for your name’s sake.
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