V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R. Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

AND straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things; but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

V. God spared not his own Son.
R. But delivered him up for us all.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who in the life-giving passion of thy Son hast taught us that only by walking in the way of the Cross may we attain to eternal joys: mercifully grant that as in deep devotion we follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ on the road to Calvary, so we may also share in his everlasting victory. Who liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

HYMN
O how sad and sore distressèd
Then was she that Mother blessèd
Of the sole-begotten Son.