Station 8: Christ consoles the Women of Jerusalem, who wept over Him
V. We adore Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, and bless Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
The Mystery
This Station represents the place where several devout women meeting Jesus, and beholding Him wounded and bathed in His blood, shed tears of compassion over Him.
Consider the excessive love of Jesus, who, though languishing and half dead through the multitude of His torments, is nevertheless attentive to console the women who wept over Him. They merited that tender consolation from the mouth of Jesus, "Weep not over me, but over yourselves and your children." Weep for your sins, the sources of my affliction. Yes, O my soul! I will obey my suffering Lord, and pour out tears of compassion. Nothing is more eloquent than the voice of those tears which flow from the horror of those sins. Address Him the following
Prayer
O Jesus, only begotten Son of the Father! who will give water to my head, and a fountain of tears to my eyes, that I may day and night weep and lament my sins? I humbly beseech Thee by these tears of blood Thou didst shed for me, to soften my flinty bosom, that tears may plentifully flow from my eyes, and contrition rend my heart, this hardened heart, to cancel my crimes and render me secure in the day of wrath and examination, when Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and demand a rigorous account of Thy blood. Amen, Jesus.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us!
With tears of love the women they did weep,
Compassioning our Redeemer sweet;
Weep for your sins who caused Him here to be
O Lamb of God Thy mercy show to me.
