As we enter into the final days of Holy Week, Christ calls us to accompany Him as He goes to the Cross “that by following me in suffering, [you] may follow me in glory” (Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola).
Let us use these days to open our hearts and to consider the sufferings of Our Lord, so that we may also accompany Him in His Resurrection.
Below are “The Reproaches” of Good Friday, traditionally prayed during the veneration of the Holy Cross in the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion.
We ask the Intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows for each one of you, that this Easter Triduum will bring you closer to the Heart of Christ.
The Reproaches:
My people, what have I done to you
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you out of Egypt,
from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Savior to the cross.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
Holy is God!
Holy and strong!
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
For forty years I led you
safely through the desert.
I fed you with manna from heaven,
and brought you to a land of plenty; but you led your Savior to the cross.
Holy is God!
Holy and strong!
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
What more could I have done for you.
I planted you as my fairest vine,
but you yielded only bitterness:
when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink,
and you pierced your Savior with a lance.
Holy is God!
Holy and strong!
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
For your sake I scourged your captors
and their firstborn sons,
but you brought your scourges down on me.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you from slavery to freedom
and drowned your captors in the sea,
but you handed me over to your high priests.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I opened the sea before you,
but you opened my side with a spear.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to Pilate’s court.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I bore you up with manna in the desert,
but you struck me down and scourged me.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you saving water from the rock,
but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
For you I struck down the kings of Canaan.
but you struck my head with a reed.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you a royal scepter,
but you gave me a crown of thorns.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I raised you to the height of majesty,
but you have raised me high on a cross.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
