The Novena to the Holy Spirit presented below is written by George E. Schulhoff, A.H.S., and can be found at http://www.aoths.org/pages/Novena.html.
Nihil obstat: Edward J. Gratsch 02/13/1997.
Imprimatur: Most Rev. Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, 02/19/1997.
Published by Apostles of the Holy Spirit, 2709 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnatti, OH, 45206, USA.
If you follow the instructions strictly, and listen to the Holy Spirit, you will find this exercise very fruitful.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you and whom you received from God?” (1 Cor 6:19).
NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Help me to know You)
THE FIRST NOVENA
After Jesus ascended to Heaven His Apostles, together with Mary and other members of the original Christian Church, continued to pray together until the feast of Pentecost when, in accordance with Jesus’ promise, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” These nine days of prayer, reported in Acts 1:14 and 2:3-4, were the first Novena on which all later Novenas have been based.
IN THE YEAR 1879
Pope Leo XIII issued an encyclical on the Holy Spirit, in which he ordains that a novena should be held throughout the Church in preparation for the feast of Pentecost.
It is the desire of the Supreme Pontiff that all the faithful should unite in imploring a new abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, since it is only through this divine Spirit that the blessings of redemption can be brought to the world.
A Novena to the Holy Spirit is the most excellent of all novenas and most appropriate for our times, to give new impetus to devotion to the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
No one could possibly love you more than God the Holy Spirit. You have given and received only natural love. God’s love is supernatural. His love for you is unlimited.
He created you. Just as you are. Just as He wanted you to be. He wants you to know Him. He wants you to be happy and enjoy this world and this life He gave you.
With His gifts, He gives you all you need to accomplish this. He wants to give you unlimited Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding. He wants to Counsel you and give you Fortitude. He wants to make it easy for you to be close and intimate with Him through His gift to you of Piety. He wants to create in you a love for Him that will satisfy every want and desire you have.
When Jesus lived on the earth with His disciples, they were content to give up everything to follow Him, just to be near Him. With Him, they were safe and if they needed any Counsel they knew He could give them the answers. The disciples had never experienced or even heard of such a source of comfort and Wisdom on earth. So when it was time for Him to leave they were very upset. He assured them by telling them He would send the Paraclete, the Comforter to be with them and with all of His followers.
When He lived as a man He could only be touched and seen and known by as many as humanly possible. By sending His Spirit He could be present, in Spirit, to all, at all times.
The Holy Spirit speaks to you in your thoughts. He prompts or speaks to you in your language, using your grammar and the words you are familiar with and use daily. These thoughts or promptings that come from the Holy Spirit are so natural that unless you are sensitive to His promptings you could easily ignore them or not recognize them as important.
During these nine days of reflection on the Holy Spirit, you will pray, meditate, contemplate, ponder, concentrate, reflect, use your imagination and listen.
The author has practiced this devotion from the age of five to the present day (76 years). He has explained this devotion to numerous others who have accepted the information they received from him. Many have been able to apply the devotion to their own lives and are astonished it has not been taught to a greater extent.
Those who have been instructed personally by the author have been able to acquire the devotion in a matter of weeks, months or several years, and even surpassed what he himself has experienced.
Each day, mull over the thought presented to you, for as long as you can. Read and re- read the day. Each time you get a thought, stop and ponder it. Exhaust it before continuing. Your goal is to listen to your thoughts, not to get through it. Imagine there is no such thing as time. Avoid advancing to the following days in an effort to get new information and ideas to fill in the time and blanks you will have. This is precisely what kills meditation. Too much information. Remember, you are not trying to find thoughts and answers from the same sources you are accustomed to using, such as reading. You are trying to hear new thoughts from a different source. This will not be information, this will be Knowledge. The Holy Spirit will be putting words in your thoughts.
NOTE
At times the author takes the liberty to talk to you as he believes the Holy Spirit has talked to him.
DAY ONE
HELLO!
O Holy Spirit, I begin this Novena by admitting that I do not know you. I know about you, from what I have been told. I have been told how God the Father, my Creator, and God the Son, my Savior, sent You, God the Holy Spirit, to be with me, to comfort me, to be my advocate and to sanctify me.
MUSCLE BUILDER
I am ashamed, after all You have done for me, that I have never taken the time to learn how to open my heart and let You in.
It is my hope, at this moment, that You will give me the strength to be determined and persevere, and to constantly have You as my companion. I know how weak I am since I have had other good intentions and failed. I failed in the past because I did not realize it is You who must provide me with Your seven spiritual gifts.
Your gift of Fortitude will give me the strength I need to complete this Novena. Instill in me, O Holy Spirit, Your gift of Fortitude so that I can carry on, to do what I must do, to complete this Novena.
*******
DAY TWO
I’M SORRY
O Holy Spirit, my curiosity has tempted me to begin reading the second day of my Novena instead of spending this time trying to learn how to listen to Your promptings. I always knew better than my teacher and did not think it would make any difference. I do not let You guide me because I do not know how to listen to You. In fact, I do not even listen to those who have had the experience of learning how to listen.
WAKE ME UP
Give me Your gift of Counsel by reminding me numerous times during this day to talk to You as I would talk to my very best human friend. Counsel me by reminding me to dwell on these thoughts of my first and second day of this Novena.
GIVE ME A SHOVE
Remind me, O Holy Spirit, to express my gratitude to You who have given me so much: my faith, hope and ability to love; my home, friends, relatives and the fact that I have life.
Do not let me be one of the nine lepers who did not return to show gratitude.
Thank You, O Holy Spirit, thank You.
*******
DAY THREE
GET IT!
Already You are giving me, O Holy Spirit, an Understanding of how I must spend this moment thinking about You in my heart. You are beginning to let me Understand that simply by reading this information will not release Your grace. I am beginning to realize Your gift of Understanding comes to me from You, when I take the time to accept Your Counsel. For this realization and the gifts You have given me, thank You, O Holy Spirit.
“AND LEAD US NOT INTO … ”
Please do not lead me into temptation, O Holy Spirit! Do not put me to the test that I must prove to You my faith, by making me wait longer to experience Your presence, if for only one second. This second of knowing that You are in my heart will increase my faith. O Holy Spirit, I do believe, help my unbelief.
Make me Understand the only reason I am starting this third day of getting to know You is through and with the Fortitude You have provided.
If I listen to my pride, I would think I am doing it all by myself.
*******
DAY FOUR
POSSESSED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
When I look back just these three days, I am beginning to be able to see how my life with You will be much richer as I willingly permit You to take possession of me. This ability to see as You see, to the extent that You wish for me to see at this moment, is Your gift of Knowledge.
Who, O Holy Spirit, in heaven or on earth, possesses the Knowledge that is Yours and Yours alone?
Why do I spend so much time seeking mere information from others when You are so willing and anxious to give me this gift that I need? If only I would take the time to learn how to listen to You.
Why do I put so much importance on money, sex, power, intellectualism – things that do not have a mere fraction of the power You have? Why do I spend so much time accumulating money when Jesus promised me that the Father would provide? What good would it do a man if he gained the whole world and suffered the loss of his soul?
Why do I spend so little time listening to You? Is it my lack of faith? Help me to Understand. Show me the way. Lead me, O Kindly Light.
*******
DAY FIVE
THE CREATOR, THE REDEEMER, THE SANCTIFIER
Have you ever heard of anyone who created, or claimed to have created, a soul, as your Father in Heaven has done for you and millions and millions of times over? Have you ever heard of any creature who has paid the price for a soul in sin, and won salvation for them, as Jesus did for you and millions of others?
I am the Holy Spirit the Third Person of the Trinity. Just as no one other than the Father has the power to create a soul from nothing, and just as no one other than the Son has the power to pay the great price for salvation, no one other than I, the Holy Spirit, has the power to sanctify you.
My child, no one else can explain, teach or give you My gifts of Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Wisdom, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord.
I alone can sanctify you and make you worthy to enter Heaven. When you accept these gifts I will reward you with peace, happiness and joy in this life as well as the next. Give me a chance, have faith in me, ask me your questions.
Many of these questions have I put into your thoughts as a way of leading you. Keep pondering these questions until I give you the answers. Prove to Me your faith. Do not give up. Ask for My gift of Fortitude – but never give up. Your time has not come to know the answers to some of these questions. I want you to prove your faith to Me.
You want to know how to recognize the Holy Spirit when I talk to you? I am the only one who can answer this question. Never stop listening for my answer.
*******
DAY SIX
COME
If you take the time to learn to listen to Me, I will give you My gift of Piety. This gift will make you want to be near and close to Me. This gift, if you use it, will bring you to ecstasy in My intimacy. This gift will make everything easy for you, but will not interfere with your free will.
I will give you so much. Give Me your appreciation and gratitude.
I AM PEACE
When you learn how to dismiss all distractions and think only of Me in your heart, you will experience Peace. I, your God, My Holy Spirit, is in the midst of this peace that you experience. The more undivided attention you focus on Me, the greater and deeper will this peace become.
This peace surrounds Me. I am Peace. You will recognize My presence by this peace. Do not make the mistake that so many others do. Relaxation of the body is not peace. Peace, My peace that only I can give, is of the soul.
Relaxation can be obtained in numerous ways, including drugs, sex and money. These are of the body and in excess harm the soul. Your gratitude to Me will increase my gifts to you — just as you give more to those who appreciate you.
*******
DAY SEVEN
OUT OF ORDER?
Your soul was created to be attracted to Me like steel to a magnet.
If you do not take time to learn to listen to Me, my child, you will become confused, as many others have.
The confused try to satisfy their magnetic attraction to Me by substituting drugs that delight their bodies, and for a short time relaxes them. Some express their confusion by other delights of the body, but this is not the peace I offer you.
The confused not only destroy their bodies and minds, but also their souls.
The confused cannot tell the difference between relaxation of the body and the reward of My peace to their souls.
The confused have refused to listen to Me. All human creatures have been given this right – to refuse to listen. All were created with a will that is free, a free will to choose their Creator or reject Him.
If you learn to listen to Me, I will relieve you of your many anxieties and fears. Your doubts and frustrations will be resolved. You will have Peace.
Your will is free. Choose to make it My will.
*******
DAY EIGHT
LOVE – FEAR
No one, O Holy Spirit, not even You, can cite an occasion that could arise in my life here on earth that cannot be more than satisfied by Your seven gifts.
My love for You, O Holy Spirit, increases as I learn to listen to Your Knowledge, Understanding, and Counsel. My love grows as I experience the Fortitude and Piety that You give to me.
Increase in me, O Holy Spirit, Your gift of Fear of the Lord so that I will love You so much I cannot offend You out of Fear of losing You. Thank You, O Holy Spirit, for Your infinite love.
I know Your great love for me by the mere fact that You, and the Father and the Son, created me and gave me life. Just as I love what I have accomplished, so You also love what You have accomplished. It is GOOD.
*******
DAY NINE
COMMON SENSE
The only other spiritual gift that You offer to us if we listen, O Holy Spirit, is the greatest of all Your gifts – Your gift of Wisdom. This gift of Wisdom is the highest compliment man can receive.
Your gift of Wisdom endows us with the ability to use all of Your other six spiritual gifts in their exact proper proportion.
The baker is wise, O Holy Spirit, when he does not use too much of any one ingredient in his cake. The ability to use each of Your spiritual gifts of Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord in exactly the right proportion is the gift of gifts — the gift of Wisdom.
THE END OF THE BEGINNING
This is the ninth day, O Holy Spirit. My intended Novena is completed. I must recognize the fact that You gave me the Fortitude to persevere, the strength which made it easy. You gave me the determination to succeed as You will and in everything that You prompt me to do.
If only I take time to listen for Your gift of Fortitude.
I shall take the time to reminisce on my early childhood and each year up to the present time, to the best of my ability, with your help and Knowledge, O Holy Spirit. I shall dwell on the past few months in particular. You will let me Understand how You have been in my life daily, even though I was not aware of it; how You gave me the grace of Your seven gifts and how often I threw them away by neglecting to use them; how on many occasions Your gifts were there and I did use them, but was under the impression, due to my pride, that I did it all by myself.
But, why does it have to end? Why should it end?
If I have not experienced Your presence in my heart, I shall start over for another nine days if You will only give me the Fortitude.
If I have experienced Your presence in my heart, I will jealously preserve it, relive it, practice listening daily – a perpetual Novena.
My hope is that I will grow into the habit of experiencing Your presence every moment of my consciousness.
CONCLUSION
– Never stop trying
– The Holy Spirit demands faith
– Man invented time
– Time means absolutely nothing to God
– This novena cannot be exhausted
– Every time you make this novena, the Holy Spirit will add to it
– When you pray, you talk to God
– When God talks to you, do you listen?
Steps to pray the Rosary
- Make the Sign of the Cross using the Crucifix
- Pray the Apostles’ Creed
- Pray the Our Father on all the large beads
- Pray 3 Hail Mary
- Pray the Glory Be
- Meditate on one of the Mysteries of the Rosary, pray the Our Father on the large bead
- Pray 10 Hail Mary on each of the small beads
- Pray the Glory Be
- Pray the Fatima prayer
- Continue with each Mysteries of the Rosary (step 6 to 9)
- End the Rosary with the Hail Holy Queen
- Make the Sign of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Our Father
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy 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
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.
Fatima Prayer
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, take all souls to Heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy.
Hail Holy Queen
Hail! Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer After The Rosary
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Joyful Mysteries
(Said on Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays of Advent, and Sundays from Epiphany until Lent)
First Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary
I Desire the Love Of Humility
The humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gabriel greeted her with these words: “Hail full of grace”.
Luke 1:26
Second Joyful Mystery – The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
I Desire Charity Toward My Neighbor
Mary’s charity in visiting her cousin Elizabeth and remaining with her for three months before the birth of John the Baptist.
Luke 1:39
Third Joyful Mystery – The Birth of Jesus
I Desire the Love of God
The poverty, so lovingly accepted by Mary when she placed the Infant Jesus, our God and Redeemer, in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem.
Luke 2:1
Fourth Joyful Mystery – The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
I Desire a Spirit of Sacrifice
Mary’s obedience to the law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple.
Luke 2:22
Fifth Joyful Mystery – Finding Jesus in the Temple
I desire Zeal For The Glory Of God
Think of…
The deep sorrow with which Mary sought the Child Jesus for three days, and the joy with which she found Him in the midst of the Teachers of the Temple.
Luke 2:41
The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Said on Tuesdays, Fridays, and daily from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday)
First Sorrowful Mystery – Agony of Jesus in the Garden
I Desire True Repentance for My Sins
Our Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani, suffering a bitter agony for our sins.
Matthew 26:36
Second Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar
I Desire a Spirit of Mortification
The cruel scourging at the pillar that our Lord suffered; the heavy blows that tore His flesh.
Matthew 27:26
Third Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus is Crowned With Thorns
I Desire Moral Courage.
The crown of sharp thorns that was forced upon our Lord’s Head and the patience with which He endured the pain for our sins.
Matthew 27:27
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus Carries His Cross
I Desire the Virtue of Patience
The heavy Cross, so willingly carried by our Lord, and ask Him to help you to carry your crosses without complaint.
Matthew 27:32
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery – The Crucifixion of Jesus
I Desire the Grace of Final Perseverance
The love which filled Christ’s Sacred Heart during His three hours’ agony on the Cross, and ask Him to be with you at the hour of death.
Matthew 27:33
The Glorious Mysteries
(Said on Wednesdays, and Sundays throughout the year)
First Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection of Jesus
I Desire a Strong Faith
Christ’s glorious triumph when, on the third day after His death, He arose from the tomb and for forty days appeared to His Blessed Mother and to His disciples.
John 20:1
Second Glorious Mystery – The Ascension of Jesus
I Desire the Virtue of Hope
The Ascension of Jesus Christ, forty days after His glorious Resurrection, in the presence of Mary and His disciples.
Luke 24:36
Third Glorious Mystery – The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
I Desire Zeal for the Glory of God
The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles, under the form of tongues of fire, in fulfillment of Christ’s promise.
Acts 2:1
Fourth Glorious Mystery – The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
I Desire the Grace of a Holy Death
The glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, when she was united with her Divine Son.
Fifth Glorious Mystery – The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
I Desire a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary
The glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son, to the great joy of all the Saints.
The Luminous Mysteries
(Said on Thursdays throughout the year)
First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
The Second Luminous Mystery – The Wedding at Cana, Christ Manifested
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
John 2:11
The Third Luminous Mystery – the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:15
The Fourth Luminous Mystery – The Transfiguration of Jesus
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
Matthew 17:2
The Fifth Luminous Mystery – The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26
第一处 | 第二处 | 第三处 | 第四处 | 第五处 | 第六处 | 第七处 | 第八处 |
第九处 | 第十处 | 第十一处 | 第十二处 | 第十三处 | 第十四处 | 第十五处
第一处耶稣被判死刑
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
星期五早上,我看见我的儿子。
这是自从他们带走祂后,我第一次望到祂一眼。
祂满身瘀痕,皮肤流血――
啊呀,我感到利剑刺心,泪水巴巴流下……
不久,比拉多坐在审判席上,
问群众为什么要处死我的儿子。
围着我的人高喊:
「钉死祂!」
我很想求他们停止呼喊,但我知道
这事必须是如此成全的。
所以,我惟有站在一旁,默默地哭。
主耶稣,
祢被判刑时,我很难想像
祢母亲感到的悲痛。
但今天可是什么模样――
当我心怀怨恨……?
「钉死祂」
当我判断别人……?
钉死祂! 」
这些行为,不也令祢和祢母亲
痛心流泪吗?
耶稣,宽恕我。
往上页
第二处耶稣背负十字架
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我恢复了些微体力,跟着人群一起走到广场入口处。
一扇门开了,
我的儿子跌跌撞撞地走出来,尾随的卫兵在笑。
有两个人把重重的十字架拖出来,扔落祂的肩膀上。
然后,他们推撞祂,赶祂上路。
我的悲痛难以忍受。
我想从祂处拿过十字架来自己背负。
但我知道,
这事必须是如此成全,
所以,我惟有默默地继续走。
主耶稣,求祢宽恕我
多次对邻近人的痛苦、孤单视而不见,
加重了祢的十字架。
宽恕我说人闲话。
宽恕我常常找借口
躲开想跟我谈话的人。
帮助我像玛利亚那样,
常常想办法减轻别人的十字架。
耶稣,宽恕我吧。
第三处耶稣第一次跌倒
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我紧紧跟随我的儿子,
祂跌跌撞撞地走向加尔雅略山。
看见祂如此受苦,我的痛楚前所未有。
我看见十字架陷入祂的肩膀。
我看见祂仆倒地上,那沉重的十字架直跌落祂背上。
我的心沉下去了。
刹那间,我以为我的爱儿死去了。
我全身开始发抖,卫兵还踢祂。
祂慢慢地爬起来,再向前走,但他们仍鞭打祂。
我想用自己的身体去保护祂。
但我知道
这事必须是如此成全的。
所以我惟有继续前行,默默地饮泣。
主,我多少次见祢跌倒而留祢不顾,
跟玛利亚不一样呢?
我多少次见别人犯了错而耻笑他们呢?
我多少次因别人做事方式跟我不同而发怒呢?
祢在苦难中,玛利亚一直支持祢。
主,帮我借着支持别人而给了祢
玛利亚那样的支持。
主,求祢垂怜我。
第四处耶稣遇见悲伤的母亲
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我设法冲破了人群,跟着我儿子身旁走。
在人群高喊声中,我向祂呼叫。
祂停下来。
我们的目光相遇了,
我的眼睛充满悲伤的泪,
祂的眼睛充满苦痛、迷惘。
我是多么无助啊。
随后祂的眼神向我说:
「鼓起勇气!成全这事是有一定意义的。」
祂继续跌跌撞撞地走,
我知道祂是对的。
所以,我尾随着祂,默默地祈祷。
主耶稣,
宽恕我很多次我们的目光相遇了,我都转脸避开。
宽恕我事情不合我意时,我四处告诉别人。
宽恕我为了小小的不方便而闷闷不乐。
宽恕我不理会祢鼓励我提起勇气,
反而意志消沉下来。
是的,主,
我们的目光曾多次相遇,
但我却无动于中。
第五处西满帮耶稣背十字架
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
此刻我留意到我的儿子试图背那沉重的十字架时,一脸无助。
祂的每一步都像是最后一步。
祂的每一分痛都痛入我的心中,
我但愿整件事到了终结。
不久,耶稣身旁起了一阵骚动。
卫兵从人群中拉出一个正在抗议的人。
他们迫那人抬起十字架尾部
来减轻我儿子的负荷。
他问卫兵为什么必须如此。
我是知道的,
所以我默默地跟随。
主耶稣,
我曾多次拒绝帮祢。
我是自私的,常常怀疑祢的说话。
不要让我仍旧像西满那样,
但请祢帮我像祢母亲玛利亚一样,
总是默默地追随,默默地听命。
第六处韦洛尼加替耶稣抹脸
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我靠近耶稣继续前行。
有一个妇人推开卫兵,脱下她的头巾,
开始抹我儿子沾满了血汗的脸。
卫兵马上把她拉开。
她的脸好像在说:
你们为什么如此对待祂呢?
我是知道的,
所以我继续怀着信德,默默地前行。
主,
这妇人尽她所能把最好的给了祢,
而我呢,
却希望获得的比付出的多。
每天都有许多机会让我
借着给予他人而为祢作出奉献,
可是,我放过了这些机会。
我的救主,
不要让我再去问为什么,
但求祢
帮我把我所有全献给祢。
第七处耶稣第二次跌到
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我的儿子再次跌倒了。
想到祂可能就此死去,
悲伤再次重压我心头。
我开始走近祂,可是,兵士阻拦我。
祂爬起来,跌跌撞撞地,慢慢前行。
看见儿子这样地跌了,再起身,又继续向前,
我心凄苦万分。
但我既然知道
这事必须是如此成全的,
我便继续默默地前行了。
主,
在全人类中,
玛利亚是祢最忠诚的追随者。
虽然她为祢感到许多痛苦,
但却永不停止追随祢。
我曾多次因犯罪离开了祢,
又令到别人也离开祢,
恳求祢垂怜我。
第八处耶稣安慰妇女
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我在耶稣后面几步走着,看见祂停了下来。
原来有些妇女可怜祂,哭着。
祂叫她们不要为祂流泪。
她们曾经有机会接受祂是默西亚的,
但好像许多人一样,她们拒绝了。
祂叫这些妇女要为她们自己而流泪――
流出令她们皈依的泪。
她们不明白
祂走向死亡的路和祂的说话
有什么关连。
我是明白的。
我默默地继续跟着祂走。
我的救主,
我曾多次像这些妇女那样行事,
总是见到别人的过失而可怜他们。
然而,我却很少见到自己的罪性
而向祢求宽恕。
主,祢借着这些妇女教导了我。
主,宽恕我的盲目吧。
第九处耶稣第三次跌到
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
耶稣跌到了,今次令我戚痛不已――
祂不但再跌在岩石地上,而且
祂现在快要到受十字架刑的山顶了。
兵士向祂尖叫高喊,侮辱祂,
差不多拖拉着祂走那最后几步。
想像他们随后会怎样对待祂,
我的心跳得砰砰作响。
但,我知道这事必须是如此成全,
所以我默默地尾随着祂上山。
我可爱的耶稣,
我知我曾多次向人伸出援手,
只不过,一遇到不方便或有痛苦时,
我就为自己找借口离开他们了。
主,帮助我
效法祢母亲玛利亚,
永不从有需要的人身上
拿开我援助的手。
第十处耶稣被脱去衣服
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我的儿子终于解除十字架的重重负荷了,
我以为祂有喘息一下的机会――
祂皮肤上血块处处,
但卫兵已急不及待脱下祂的衣服了,
看见儿子受这般的痛苦,
我实在受不了。
但,既然知道这事必须是如此成全,
我只有站在一旁,默默地哭。
主,
我也用了我的方法脱去祢的衣服。
我的坏话剥夺了别人的好名声。
我的偏见剥夺了别人的人性尊严。
耶稣,
我伤害了别人,我也就在许多方面
冒犯了祢。
帮助我在所有人的身上
都看到祢。
第十一处耶稣被钉在十字架上
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
他们把耶稣摔在十字架上,而祂
甘愿被他们钉上去。
祂的手脚给刺穿了。
祂的疼痛,痛入我心。
然后,他们竖起了十字架。
看,我宠爱的儿子就在那里,
祂在世最后几分钟
挣扎时,还备受讥笑。
但我知道这事必须是如此成全的,
所以我站在一旁,默默地祈祷。
主,
祢为了我忍受何等的痛苦。
祢的母亲看见自己的独生子
为了爱我而死,经历何等的苦楚啊!
然而,祢和她
只要我痛悔我的罪,
就立即乐于宽恕我。
主,
帮助我脱离我的罪性。
第十二处耶稣死在十字架上
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
对一位母亲来说,有什么痛苦
比看到自己的儿子死在眼前更大呢!
我,将这救世主带来了这世界,
看着祂长大,只无助地站在十字架下,
望着祂垂下头死去。
祂在世间的苦楚已经完结了,
但我的苦楚比以前的更大。
然而,这事必须是如此成全的,
我必须接受,
所以我站在一旁,默默地哀恸。
我的耶稣,
我的罪伤害了祢和别人,
为此,求祢垂怜我。
我感激祢爱心的伟大行为。
祢曾说
真正的爱是为朋友舍弃生命。
让我永远做祢的朋友。
教导我如何为他人而活,
永不再对不起祢。
第十三处耶稣从十字架上卸下
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
群众已散去了,噪声也已停了,
我和耶稣的一位朋友静静地站着,
仰望着我的儿子――我们的救主的尸体。
然后,有两个人把尸体从十字架上卸下,
放在我手臂来。
浓浓的悲哀包围着我整个人。
然而,我心底里也泛着浓浓的喜悦。
很残酷的,我儿子的生命就这样结束了,
但也带来了生命给所有人。
我知道这事必须是如此成全的,
我默默地祈祷是了。
主,祢的苦难已完结了。
然而,每当我选择罪而离弃祢时,
这又延续祢的苦难了。
我是有份参与钉祢在十字架上的。
如今,我的救主,
我衷心恳求祢宽恕我。
帮助我这一生
活得配得起祢和祢的母亲。
第十四处耶稣被放在坟墓内
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我们将耶稣的尸体安放在一所坟墓内,
我亲手打整,
静静地哭泣,
静静地喜悦。
我望多爱儿一眼后,就走出去了。
他们用石块关上墓穴,
离开前,我想了一想:
我知道这事必须是如此成全的……
必须如此,就是为了你啊!
我愿意怀着信德,静静地等待。
是的,我主,
这事必须是如此成全,
不为什么别的原因,只因祢爱我!
祢所要求的只是
我好好渡过一生。
祢从未说过
这样的生活是容易的。
我愿意离弃罪恶,而只为祢――
在弟兄姊妹身上见到的祢
而活。
第十五处耶稣基督从死者中复活
「基督,我们钦祟祢,赞美祢,因为借着这圣架,祢救赎了普世。」
我的儿子为我们而牺牲了。
为此,我只有满怀感恩。
然而,在生活中没有了
我如此钟爱的祂,我又是何等空虚呢!
不过,仅仅两天之后,
简直不可置信,空虚全被填满――
祂已复活了!
我们的救主已打开了新生的门。
那是必须如此成全的――
因为祂对你无尽的爱
非要祂如此不可。
我可以永恒地欢欣喜悦,
但不是在静默中了。
我的救主,感谢祢!
感谢祢如此无尽的爱,
帮助我脱离罪性。
我会一再尝试活得更美善。
帮助我永远记得祢的爱。
玛利亚,我们复活救主的母亲,
教导我效法妳,
借着爱别人而还爱于基督。
第一處 | 第二處 | 第三處 | 第四處 | 第五處 | 第六處 | 第七處 | 第八處 |
第九處 | 第十處 | 第十一處 | 第十二處 | 第十三處 | 第十四處 | 第十五處
第一處 耶穌被判死刑
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
星期五早上,我看見我的兒子。
這是自從他們帶走祂後,我第一次望到祂一眼。
祂滿身瘀痕,皮膚流血 ――
啊呀,我感到利劍刺心,淚水巴巴流下……
不久,比拉多坐在審判席上,
問群眾為什麼要處死我的兒子。
圍著我的人高喊:
「釘死祂!」
我很想求他們停止呼喊,但我知道
這事必須是如此成全的。
所以,我惟有站在一旁,默默地哭。
主耶穌,
祢被判刑時,我很難想像
祢母親感到的悲痛。
但今天可是什麼模樣 ――
當我心懷怨恨……?
「釘死祂」
當我判斷別人……?
釘死祂!」
這些行為,不也令祢和祢母親
痛心流淚嗎?
耶穌,寬恕我。
往上頁
第二處 耶穌背負十字架
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我恢復了些微體力,跟著人群一起走到廣場入口處。
一扇門開了,
我的兒子跌跌撞撞地走出來,尾隨的衛兵在笑。
有兩個人把重重的十字架拖出來,扔落祂的肩膀上。
然後,他們推撞祂,趕祂上路。
我的悲痛難以忍受。
我想從祂處拿過十字架來自己背負。
但我知道,
這事必須是如此成全,
所以,我惟有默默地繼續走。
主耶穌,求祢寬恕我
多次對鄰近人的痛苦、孤單視而不見,
加重了祢的十字架。
寬恕我說人閒話。
寬恕我常常找藉口
躲開想跟我談話的人。
幫助我像瑪利亞那樣,
常常想辦法減輕別人的十字架。
耶穌,寬恕我吧。
第三處 耶穌第一次跌倒
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我緊緊跟隨我的兒子,
祂跌跌撞撞地走向加爾雅略山。
看見祂如此受苦,我的痛楚前所未有。
我看見十字架陷入祂的肩膀。
我看見祂仆倒地上,那沉重的十字架直跌落祂背上。
我的心沉下去了。
剎那間,我以為我的愛兒死去了。
我全身開始發抖,衛兵還踢祂。
祂慢慢地爬起來,再向前走,但他們仍鞭打祂。
我想用自己的身體去保護祂。
但我知道
這事必須是如此成全的。
所以我惟有繼續前行,默默地飲泣。
主,我多少次見祢跌倒而留祢不顧,
跟瑪利亞不一樣呢?
我多少次見別人犯了錯而恥笑他們呢?
我多少次因別人做事方式跟我不同而發怒呢?
祢在苦難中,瑪利亞一直支持祢。
主,幫我藉著支持別人而給了祢
瑪利亞那樣的支持。
主,求祢垂憐我。
第四處 耶穌遇見悲傷的母親
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我設法衝破了人群,跟著我兒子身旁走。
在人群高喊聲中,我向祂呼叫。
祂停下來。
我們的目光相遇了,
我的眼睛充滿悲傷的淚,
祂的眼睛充滿苦痛、迷惘。
我是多麼無助啊。
隨後祂的眼神向我說:
「鼓起勇氣!成全這事是有一定意義的。」
祂繼續跌跌撞撞地走,
我知道祂是對的。
所以,我尾隨著祂,默默地祈禱。
主耶穌,
寬恕我很多次我們的目光相遇了,我都轉臉避開。
寬恕我事情不合我意時,我四處告訴別人。
寬恕我為了小小的不方便而悶悶不樂。
寬恕我不理會祢鼓勵我提起勇氣,
反而意志消沉下來。
是的,主,
我們的目光曾多次相遇,
但我卻無動於中。
第五處 西滿幫耶穌背十字架
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
此刻我留意到我的兒子試圖背那沉重的十字架時,一臉無助。
祂的每一步都像是最後一步。
祂的每一分痛都痛入我的心中,
我但願整件事到了終結。
不久,耶穌身旁起了一陣騷動。
衛兵從人群中拉出一個正在抗議的人。
他們迫那人抬起十字架尾部
來減輕我兒子的負荷。
他問衛兵為什麼必須如此。
我是知道的,
所以我默默地跟隨。
主耶穌,
我曾多次拒絕幫祢。
我是自私的,常常懷疑祢的說話。
不要讓我仍舊像西滿那樣,
但請祢幫我像祢母親瑪利亞一樣,
總是默默地追隨,默默地聽命。
第六處 韋洛尼加替耶穌抹臉
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我靠近耶穌繼續前行。
有一個婦人推開衛兵,脫下她的頭巾,
開始抹我兒子沾滿了血汗的臉。
衛兵馬上把她拉開。
她的臉好像在說:
你們為什麼如此對待祂呢?
我是知道的,
所以我繼續懷著信德,默默地前行。
主,
這婦人盡她所能把最好的給了祢,
而我呢,
卻希望獲得的比付出的多。
每天都有許多機會讓我
藉著給予他人而為祢作出奉獻,
可是,我放過了這些機會。
我的救主,
不要讓我再去問為什麼,
但求祢
幫我把我所有全獻給祢。
第七處 耶穌第二次跌到
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我的兒子再次跌倒了。
想到祂可能就此死去,
悲傷再次重壓我心頭。
我開始走近祂,可是,兵士阻攔我。
祂爬起來,跌跌撞撞地,慢慢前行。
看見兒子這樣地跌了,再起身,又繼續向前,
我心淒苦萬分。
但我既然知道
這事必須是如此成全的,
我便繼續默默地前行了。
主,
在全人類中,
瑪利亞是祢最忠誠的追隨者。
雖然她為祢感到許多痛苦,
但卻永不停止追隨祢。
我曾多次因犯罪離開了祢,
又令到別人也離開祢,
懇求祢垂憐我。
第八處 耶穌安慰婦女
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我在耶穌後面幾步走著,看見祂停了下來。
原來有些婦女可憐祂,哭著。
祂叫她們不要為祂流淚。
她們曾經有機會接受祂是默西亞的,
但好像許多人一樣,她們拒絕了。
祂叫這些婦女要為她們自己而流淚 ――
流出令她們皈依的淚。
她們不明白
祂走向死亡的路和祂的說話
有什麼關連。
我是明白的。
我默默地繼續跟著祂走。
我的救主,
我曾多次像這些婦女那樣行事,
總是見到別人的過失而可憐他們。
然而,我郤很少見到自己的罪性
而向祢求寬恕。
主,祢藉著這些婦女教導了我。
主,寬恕我的盲目吧。
第九處 耶穌第三次跌到
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
耶穌跌到了,今次令我戚痛不已 ――
祂不但再跌在岩石地上,而且
祂現在快要到受十字架刑的山頂了。
兵士向祂尖叫高喊,侮辱祂,
差不多拖拉著祂走那最後幾步。
想像他們隨後會怎樣對待祂,
我的心跳得砰砰作響。
但,我知道這事必須是如此成全,
所以我默默地尾隨著祂上山。
我可愛的耶穌,
我知我曾多次向人伸出援手,
只不過,一遇到不方便或有痛苦時,
我就為自己找藉口離開他們了。
主,幫助我
效法祢母親瑪利亞,
永不從有需要的人身上
拿開我援助的手。
第十處 耶穌被脫去衣服
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我的兒子終於解除十字架的重重負荷了,
我以為祂有喘息一下的機會 ――
祂皮膚上血塊處處,
但衛兵已急不及待脫下祂的衣服了,
看見兒子受這般的痛苦,
我實在受不了。
但,既然知道這事必須是如此成全,
我只有站在一旁,默默地哭。
主,
我也用了我的方法脫去祢的衣服。
我的壞話剝奪了別人的好名聲。
我的偏見剝奪了別人的人性尊嚴。
耶穌,
我傷害了別人,我也就在許多方面
冒犯了祢。
幫助我在所有人的身上
都看到祢。
第十一處 耶穌被釘在十字架上
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
他們把耶穌摔在十字架上,而祂
甘願被他們釘上去。
祂的手腳給刺穿了。
祂的疼痛,痛入我心。
然後,他們豎起了十字架。
看,我寵愛的兒子就在那裡,
祂在世最後幾分鐘
掙扎時,還備受譏笑。
但我知道這事必須是如此成全的,
所以我站在一旁,默默地祈禱。
主,
祢為了我忍受何等的痛苦。
祢的母親看見自己的獨生子
為了愛我而死,經歷何等的苦楚啊!
然而,祢和她
只要我痛悔我的罪,
就立即樂於寬恕我。
主,
幫助我脫離我的罪性。
第十二處 耶穌死在十字架上
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
對一位母親來說,有什麼痛苦
比看到自己的兒子死在眼前更大呢!
我,將這救世主帶來了這世界,
看著祂長大,只無助地站在十字架下,
望著祂垂下頭死去。
祂在世間的苦楚已經完結了,
但我的苦楚比以前的更大。
然而,這事必須是如此成全的,
我必須接受,
所以我站在一旁,默默地哀慟。
我的耶穌,
我的罪傷害了祢和別人,
為此,求祢垂憐我。
我感激祢愛心的偉大行為。
祢曾說
真正的愛是為朋友捨棄生命。
讓我永遠做祢的朋友。
教導我如何為他人而活,
永不再對不起祢。
第十三處 耶穌從十字架上卸下
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
群眾已散去了,噪聲也已停了,
我和耶穌的一位朋友靜靜地站著,
仰望著我的兒子 ―― 我們的救主的屍體。
然後,有兩個人把屍體從十字架上卸下,
放在我手臂來。
濃濃的悲哀包圍著我整個人。
然而,我心底裡也泛著濃濃的喜悅。
很殘酷的,我兒子的生命就這樣結束了,
但也帶來了生命給所有人。
我知道這事必須是如此成全的,
我默默地祈禱是了。
主,祢的苦難已完結了。
然而,每當我選擇罪而離棄祢時,
這又延續祢的苦難了。
我是有份參與釘祢在十字架上的。
如今,我的救主,
我衷心懇求祢寬恕我。
幫助我這一生
活得配得起祢和祢的母親。
第十四處 耶穌被放在墳墓內
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我們將耶穌的屍體安放在一所墳墓內,
我親手打整,
靜靜地哭泣,
靜靜地喜悅。
我望多愛兒一眼後,就走出去了。
他們用石塊關上墓穴,
離開前,我想了一想:
我知道這事必須是如此成全的……
必須如此,就是為了你啊!
我願意懷著信德,靜靜地等待。
是的,我主,
這事必須是如此成全,
不為什麼別的原因,只因祢愛我!
祢所要求的只是
我好好渡過一生。
祢從未說過
這樣的生活是容易的。
我願意離棄罪惡,而只為祢 ――
在弟兄姊妹身上見到的祢
而活。
第十五處 耶穌基督從死者中復活
「基督,我們欽祟祢,讚美祢,因為藉著這聖架,祢救贖了普世。」
我的兒子為我們而犧牲了。
為此,我只有滿懷感恩。
然而,在生活中沒有了
我如此鍾愛的祂,我又是何等空虛呢!
不過,僅僅兩天之後,
簡直不可置信,空虛全被填滿 ――
祂已復活了!
我們的救主已打開了新生的門。
那是必須如此成全的 ――
因為祂對你無盡的愛
非要祂如此不可。
我可以永恆地歡欣喜悅,
但不是在靜默中了。
我的救主,感謝祢!
感謝祢如此無盡的愛,
幫助我脫離罪性。
我會一再嘗試活得更美善。
幫助我永遠記得祢的愛。
瑪利亞,我們復活救主的母親,
教導我效法妳,
藉著愛別人而還愛於基督。