3. The Third Station: Jesus fall the First time  

Oh, how sad and sore distress'd
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole-begotten One!

We adore You/O Christ/and we praise You (Genuflect) Because/by Your holy cross/You have redeemed the word. (Rise)

Consider the first fall of Jesus.  Loss of blood from the scourging and crowning with thorns had so weakened Him that He could hardly walk; and yet He had to carry that great load upon His shoulders.  As the soldiers struck Him cruelly, He fell several times under the heavy cross. (Kneel).

Prayer:

My beloved Jesus/it was not the weigh/t of the cross/ but the weight/of my sins/which made you suffer /so much./  By the merits/ of this first fall/ save me/ from falling/ into mortal sin./

I love you Jesus/my Love/above all things./I repent with my whole heart /for having offended you./Never permit me/to separate myself/from you again./Grant/that I may love you always/and then do with me/as You will./

Our Father in heaven/Holy be Your name/Your kingdom come/Your will be done/on earth/as it is in heaven/give us this day/our daily bread/and forgive us trespasses/as we forgive those/ who trespass against us/lead us not into temptation/but deliver us from evil/Amen.

Hail Mary/full of grace/the Lord is with you/blessed are you/among women/and blessed is /the fruit of your womb/Jesus/ Holy Mary/Mother of God/pray for us sinners/now/ and at the hour/ of our death/Amen.

Glory be to the Father/and to the Son/and to the Holy Spirit/ As it was in the beginning/is now and ever/shall be world without end/Amen.

Have Mercy on us/O Lord/have mercy on us/.