CRUSADER STUDIOS

 

The Nicene Creed

 

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father. By Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And He became flesh by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. And of His kingdom there will be no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life. Who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, and Who spoke through the Prophets. And one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. And I await the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come.

 

The Confiteor

 

I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

 

May almighty God have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and bring us unto life everlasting. Amen.

 

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins. Amen.

 

Act of Faith

 

O my God! I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

 

Act of Hope

 

O my God! Relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

 

Act of Charity

 

O my God! I love thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

 

Act of Contrition

 

O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, WHo art all good, and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of THy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

 

Act of Adoration

 

O great God, the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, I prostrate myself before Thee. With all the Angels and Saints I adore Thee, I acknowledge Thee to be my Creator and sovereign Lord, my first beginning and last end. I render to Thee the homage of my being and life. I submit myself to Thy holy Will, and I devote myself to Thy divine service this day and forever.

 

Come Holy Spirit

 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy spirit, and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

 

Prayer to Guardian Angel

 

Angel of God, my guardian dear; to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day/night be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide.

 

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

 

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and evil spirits, who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls.

 

The Stations of the Cross

 

Preparatory Prayer

 

My Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast made this journey to die for me with love unutterable, and I have so many times unworthily abandoned Thee. But now I love Thee with my whole heart, and because I love Thee, I repent sincerely for having offended Thee. Pardon me, my God, and permit me to accompany Thee in this journey. Thou goest to die for love of me; I wish also, my beloved Redeemer, to die for love of Thee. My Jesus, I will live and die always united to Thee.

 

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

Pilate saith: "Behold the Man." When the chief priests and the servants had seen Him, they cried out saying: "Crucify Him, Crucify Him He calleth Himself the Son of God. He hath become the censurer of our thoughts. He is grievous unto us, even to behold, for His life is not like other men's, and He abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness . . ."

 

My people, what have I done to thee? Or in what have I grieved thee? Behold I have planted thee as My fairest vine, and thou hast become very bitter to Me. I went before thee in a pillar of cloud and thou hast brought Me before Pilate's judgment seat.

 

He was offered because it was His own will, and He opened not His mouth, He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter and shall be dumb as a lamb before His shearer, and He shall not open His mouth. He is cut off out of the land of the living: for the wickedness of His people, He was struck.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Second Station: Jesus is Made to Carry His Cross

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

Then Pilate delivered Him to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led Him forth. And bearing His own cross, He went forth to the place which is called Calvary.

 

My people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I grieved thee? I was thy guide through the desert for forty years, and fed thee with manna and brought thee into an excellent land, and thou hast prepared a cross for thy Savior?

 

He hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought Him as it were a leper and as one struck by God and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions: He was bruised for our sins, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on HIm the iniquity of us all.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

He shall lay down His life for sin, He shall see a long-lived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in His hand. But the Lord is now pleased to bruise Him in infirmity.

 

O Father, I am afflicted and greatly humbled, I cry aloud because of the sorrow of My Heart. Lord, all My longing is known to Thee, and My sighs are not hidden from Thee. My Heart beats furiously, My strength is gone, Mine eyes are dim and dull with weeping and pain. My friends and my companions come within sight of Me, but stand aloof, and my neighbors keep far from me.

 

The arrows of Thy judgment have sunk deep in Me, and Thy hand is pressing heavily upon Me. There is no soundness in My body because of Thine anger. The iniquities of My people, like a flood, have overwhelmed Me; like a crushing burden they weigh upon Me.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

Behold, the Son is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign of contradiction. And thine own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

 

Weeping I have wept in the night, and my tears are on my cheeks, because the comforter, the relief of my soul, is taken from me. I have spread forth my hands, there is none to comfort me. I called for my friends and they deceived me, they have become my enemies; my priests and my ancients have rejoiced in my evil. My child is desolate and the enemy hath prevailed. O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.

 

Ah, Mother! Fount of love, make me feel the force of thy sorrow, make me weep with thee! Who is there could contemplate the Mother and the SOn in sorrow, and not join his own with theirs?

 

  Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

As they led Him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

 

Furious enemies are around Me like a herd of oxen, they hem Me like fierce bulls. I am drained like water, My bones are weakened, My heart is like melting was in My breast.

 

Who will arise as My defender against the wicked? Who will stand by Me against the workers of iniquity? My heart hath endured reproach and misery. I looked for one that would have pity on Me, but there was no man, and for one that would console Me, and I found none.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

There is no beauty in Him, nor comeliness, a worm, not a man, the object of men's contempt. We have seen Him and there is no sightliness, that we should be desirous of Him. Despised, rejected, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. His visage was inglorious among men and His form among the sons of men. Whereupon we esteemed Him not.

 

All ye who seek Christ, lift up your eyes on high, to behold a token of His eternal glory. O brightness of the Father's glory, incomprehensible love, by Thy presence bestow upon us the fullness of Thy light.

 

Thou art beautiful above the sons of men, grace is poured abroad in Thy lips. "My heart hath uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King." He is the brightness of eternal light, the unspotted mirror, and the image of His goodness.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

 I am afflicted and greatly humbled, I roared with the groaning of My heart. My heart is troubled, My strength hath left Me, and the light of My eyes itself is not with Me.

 

Thy burning wrath has swept over Me, Thy terrors have confounded Me. They have encompassed Me like water all day long, closing around on every side. Thou hast put far from Me friend and neighbor, leaving darkness as My companion.

 

In Thee, O Lord! I have hoped, Thou wilt hear Me, O Lord My God! For I am on the verge of ruin, and my sorrow is continually before Me. Forsake Me not, O Lord My God, do not Thou depart from Me. Attend unto My help, O Lord, the God of My salvation.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Eighth Station: The Women of Jerusalem Weep Over Jesus

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

There followed Him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him. Jesus turning to them, said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."

 

My eyes are consumed with weeping, My entrails boil, My liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of My people. The children say to their mothers: "Where is wheat and wine?" as they faint away as wounded in the streets of the city, as they breathe out their souls in the bosoms of their mothers. A voice was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewails her children and would not be comforted, because they are not.

 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thine enemies shall beat thee to the ground, and thy children who are in thee, because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

The Lord hath made a vintage of Me, as He spoke in the day of His fierce anger. From above He hath sent fire into My bones and hath chastised Me, He hath spread a net for My feet, He hath turned Me back, He hath made Me desolate, wasted with sorrow all the day long.

 

O Lord, Thou hast placed Me in the nethermost pit, in dark places, and in the shadow of death, Thy wrath lies heavily upon Me, all Thy billows of fury sweep over Me. Thou hast removed Mine acquaintances far from Me, they regard Me as an abomination, I am imprisoned and cannot escape.

 

The iniquities of My people are put upon My neck. My strength is weakened. The Lord hath delivered Me into a hand out of which I am not able to rise.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

Who is this that cometh from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bosra, this beautiful one arrayed in majesty, walking in the greatness of His strength? It is I, who announce vindication, I who am mighty to save. Why is then Thin apparel red and Thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone, and of My people there was no one with Me. The blood spurted on My garments, all My apparel I stained, for My year of redemption was at hand.

 

O My people, for the sake I have borne reproach, shame hath covered My face. My foes gaze on Me and examine Me with malicious delight. They are dividing among them My clothes, and upon My vesture they cast lots.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

When they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him there, and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

 

All who pass by and see Me deride Me; they mock Me in their words, they wag their heads at Me. Like a ravening and roaring lion, they open their mouth to devour Me: He hoped in the Lord, let the Lord come to His rescue; let the Lord free Him, if He cares for Him! . . .

 

My strength is dried up, My tongue hath cleaved to My jaws, and Thou hast brought Me down to the dust of death. For enemies, like a pack of dogs, have encircled Me, the council of the wicked hath besieged Me. They have pierced My hands and My feet, They have numbered all My bones.

 

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

 The Twelfth Station: Jesus is Raised Upon the Cross and Dies

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

It was almost the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the veil of the Temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened. . . And Jesus cried out with a loud voice:

 

Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? O My God, My God, look upon Me, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why are the cries of My anguish so far from helping Me? I cry by day, and Thou dost not answer, I cry in the night-time and no relief comes to Me. . .

 

Have mercy on Me, O Lord. My eyes are troubled in THy wrath, My soul and My bowels. My strength is giving way under misery, and My whole body is shaken. I am forgotten like one that is dead, I am cast aside like a broken vessel.

 

It is consummated. Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. And Jesus, bowing His head, gave up the ghost.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross and Placed in the Arms of His Mother

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

Let the evening come suddenly upon the whole heavens, and let the astonished sun dispatch the day, while we contemplate the spectacle of the cruel death and the divine tragedy.

 

My people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I grieved thee? I opened a way through the sea before thee, and thou hast opened My side with a  spear.

 

With what a flood of tears, with what sorrow is the grief-stricken Virgin Mother overwhelmed, while she beholds her Son lying in her arms after being taken down from the bloody Tree! Full of sorrow she bathes with her tears His sweet lips, His gentle breast, His most dear side, His pierced right hand, His wounded left, and His feet red with blood.

 

O Mother, we beseech thee by these tears, by the cruel death of thy Son, and by the purple of His wounds, plant deep in our hearts the grief of thine own heart!

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

THe Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher

 

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

 

There was in the place where He was crucified a garden: and in the garden a new sepulcher. There, because of the Passover of the Jews, they laid Jesus.

 

This day shall be a memorial for you. This is the Passage of the Lord. I will execute judgment, for I am the Lord. And this Blood shall be unto you a sign, and I shall see the Blood and shall pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I shall strike the land of Egypt.

 

Behold in peace is My bitterness transformed. Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, nor wilt Thou give Thy holy one to see corruption. Hell shall not confess to Thee, neither shall death praise Thee, nor shall they that go down into the abyss look for Thy truth. The living, the living shall give praise to Thee, as O do this day.

 

Blessing and honor, glory, and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, WHo hath redeemed us to God by His blood, forever and ever. Amen.

 

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.

 

Final Prayer

 

O God, Who by the Passion of Thy Christ, our Lord, hast undone the bonds of death, the inheritance of man's first sin, into which his whole race has entered, grant that made like Him, we who of necessity have borne the likeness of earthly nature, may by His sanctifying power put on the likeness of His divine grace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.