Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
O Lord hear my prayers,
and let my cry come unto you
Examination of conscience…
Lord have mercy…
Christ have mercy…
Lord have mercy…
OPENING PRAYERAlmighty God, in the Cross of Christ You have revealed the power of divine love and the triumph of self-giving. As we stand at the threshold of Holy Week, we fix our gaze on the Cross – not as a sign of defeat, but as the throne of glory. Grant us, Lord, a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Cross. Help us to embrace it in our lives with courage and gratitude. May we find in it the strength to persevere and the promise of resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading: John 12:23–33
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit… And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Meditation
The Cross is the paradox of our faith: a cruel instrument of death that becomes the sign of eternal life. Jesus speaks of His impending death not with dread but with confidence: “Now is the hour of glory.” In dying, He overcomes death. In His abasement, He is exalted.
Christ’s Cross is not just His burden, it is ours as well. “Take up your cross and follow Me,” He says to each disciple. Yet He does not leave us to carry it alone. Every suffering endured in love, every rejection offered to God, every moment of self-denial is transformed in the light of the Cross.
Today, we are invited to renew our love for the Cross—not as a punishment but as the royal road to eternal life. Let us ask: What are the crosses in my life right now? Do I see them through the lens of Christ’s triumph?
Intercessory Prayers
- For all Christians, that they may never be ashamed of the Cross but glory in it. R./ Lord hear our Prayers (Repeat after each invocation)
- For those carrying heavy burdens, that they may find strength in Christ Crucified.
- For missionaries and evangelists, that they may proclaim the Cross as the power of salvation.
- For those struggling with addiction or habitual sin, that the Cross may become their liberation.
- For unity in the Church, that all may gather around the one Cross of Christ.
- For the dying, that the Cross may be their comfort and the promise of resurrection their hope.
- For ourselves, that as we enter Holy Week, we may walk closely with Christ and share in His victory.
(Conclude with: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
O Crucified and Risen Lord, Your Cross is our salvation, our peace, and our song. In it we find justice, mercy, and the pledge of eternal life. As we begin Holy Week, grant us the grace to walk with You step by step – through the Upper Room, Gethsemane, Calvary, and the empty tomb. May we embrace the Cross in our lives with faith and love, and bear fruit that endures unto eternity. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Great job praying Day 3! May the Lord renew us as we enter the Holy Week.
Shalom!
Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Seminário Padre Pedro Magnone, Sacomã, São Paulo
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?
Lord, give us the grace to work closely with you and share in your victory in Jesus name. Amen
Amen
O Crucified and Risen Lord hear our prayers
Amen to the glory of God
Amen
Amen and Amen.
Amen
May the Passion of Christ strengthens us. Amen
Amen
Amen
O LORD give me the grace to work closely with the Cross so that I will be able to share in your glory through Christ our LORD. AMEN.
Holy Cross of Jesus be our hope and salvation. Pour unto us all good and turn away from us all evil and sharp weapons. Preserve us from spiritual and temporal accidents. Amen.
Amen
As we begin Holy Week, grant us the grace to walk with You step by step Lord. Amen.
Grant us the grace to walk with you step by step Lord as we enter into the Holy Week…..we pray.
Amen!!!!!
Amen
Amen