The Mystery

This third Station represents how our Lord Jesus Christ, overwhelmed by the weight of the Cross, fainting through loss of blood, falls to the ground for the first time.

Contemplate the unwearied patience of the meek Lamb, amidst the insulting blows and curses of His brutal executioners while you impatient in adversity and infirmity, presume to complain, [and thus] to insult the Majesty of heaven, by your curses and blasphemies. Purpose here firmly to struggle against the impatient [attacks] of temper; and beholdmg your amiable Jesus prostrate under the Cross, excite in yourself a just hatred for those sins, which rendered insupportable that weight with which your Savior, for love of you, was burdened, and thus address your afflicted Jesus.

Prayer

Jesus, the merciless violence of Thy... Executioners, the weight of the Cross, or rather the more oppressive load of my sins, crush you to the earth. Panting for breath, exhausted as you are, you did not refuse [to endure] new tortures for me. Will I then refuse the light burden of your commandments; will I refuse to do violence to my perverse passions and sinful attachments; will I relapse into those very crimes for which I have shed false and delusive tears? O Jesus stretch your Holy hand to my assistance, that I may never more fall into mortal sin; that I may at the hour of death secure... my salvation. Amen, JESUS.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be the the Father..., Etc. ...
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us

From loss of blood He fell unto the ground,
No comfort for my Lord was to be found
He rose again beneath their cruel blows,
And on his bitter way unmurmuring goes.