GOOD FRIDAY THE PASSION OF THE LORD THE WAY OF THE CROSS LED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

Fourteenth Station
The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb
V/. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi
R/. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own
new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door
of the tomb, and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting
opposite the sepulcher. (Matthew 27:59-61)
Now we are here. We have died to our past. We wanted to live in our own land but
war prevented that. It is difficult for a family to have to choose between its dreams
and its freedom, between its hopes and survival. We are here after travels in which
we witnessed the death of women and children, friends, brothers and sisters. We
are here, the survivors. We are perceived as a burden. At home, we were
important, but here we are numbers, categories and statistics. And yet we are
much more than just migrants. We are persons. We came here for the sake of our
children. Each day we die for them so that they can try to live a normal life, without
bombs, without bloodshed, without persecution. We are Catholics but even this
seems less important than the fact that we are migrants. If we do not give up, it is
because we know that the great stone at the entrance of the tomb will one day be
rolled away.
Lord Jesus, you were lowered from the cross by kindly hands.
R/. Dona nobis pacem.
You were buried in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.
R/. Dona nobis pacem.
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You did not know the corruption of the tomb.
R/. Dona nobis pacem.
All:
Our Father…
Lord Jesus,
you descended into hell
to free Adam and Eve and their children from their ancient captivity.
Hear our prayers for the families of migrants.
Rescue them from the deadly pain of isolation,
and grant that all of us may see you in every person,
in every one of our beloved brothers and sisters.
You who live and reign forever and ever.
R/. Amen.