Lourdes Station 5: Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross

The open meadow of the Lourdes Lower Prairie Stations

The Prairie, Lourdes

Lourdes Lower Stations

The Sacred Way of the Cross

Path 2 · Prairie, Lourdes, France · Station 5 of 14

Simon Cyrenaeus Crucem Iesu Portat

An Unexpected Act of Solidarity

Lourdes Lower Station 5 of the Cross is a moment that captures the profound human and spiritual dynamics of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

At this station, I am a witness to Simon of Cyrene stepping into an unexpected role, one even he was unsure of taking on among the Roman soldiers. Simon’s compassion to assist Jesus was second-guessed.

“Ask Me for help, and I will help you carry your cross.”

To assist Jesus in carrying His cross was an act of kindness. This station brings to light the themes of solidarity, compassion, and the shared burden of suffering.

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Station 5, Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross, at the Lourdes Lower Prairie Stations

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, are You unable to proceed without help? The soldiers grow impatient and grab a man from the crowd to help carry the cross.

Jesus had just seen His mother. Could she have prayed for God to send help? Yes, I believe she did. As I pray to Mother Mary to help me too.

“My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross, as the Cyrenean did. I accept it; I embrace it. I accept in particular the death destined for me. I unite it to Thy death; I offer it to Thee.”

— Saint Alphonsus Liguori, The Way of the Cross

Blessed Mother, help me realize how weak I am, and that I need Jesus’ help every day of my life.

— My Personal Prayer

V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord. R. Have mercy on us. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Pray Together

Sit With It

Three Witnesses to the Shared Burden

Simon of Cyrene

An Unwilling Volunteer

I was pulled from the crowd without being asked, a stranger’s cross suddenly resting on my own shoulders. I did not choose this. I second-guessed it the entire way, wondering why it had to be me.

But somewhere in the weight of it, something shifted. I was carrying His suffering, and in some way I could not explain, He was carrying mine.

Has help ever come to you in a form you didn’t ask for and almost refused?

Mary, Mother of God

Silent Support

I watched a stranger step forward to do what I could not. I said nothing, but my heart prayed the whole time: send him help, Lord, since I cannot carry this for him myself.

My presence here is quiet. It has to be. But quiet is not the same as absent.

How can Mary’s silent support during this station shape how you show up for someone who is suffering?

The Crowd Along the Road

Varied Reactions

Some of us look away, relieved it isn’t our shoulder beneath that weight. Some of us feel a flicker of shame, wondering if we should have stepped forward first. And one of us — pulled forward, not volunteered — ends up closer to Him than any of the rest of us dared to get.

His reluctance became compassion. Our comfort stayed exactly where it was.

What kind of bystander in this crowd are you most often?

Here I am, contemplating Simon giving Jesus his help to carry the cross. What a beautiful act of love and kindness, for one person to help another. Do You really need my help, Lord? I hear You in my heart telling me: ask Me for help, and I will help you carry your cross.

Blessed Mother, help me realize how weak I am, and that I need Jesus’ help every day of my life. Teach me to have compassion, and to be ready to help others in need.

Living out faith looks different for everyone. For me it has looked like serving on my parish’s council and counting ministry, spending time reading about the lives of the saints, and writing this website itself — my own ongoing faith-sharing and gratitude journal. My spiritual journey is a slow, steady process, and working through these stations keeps reminding me to look deeper into my own heart for what Jesus is teaching me.

Continue Your Prayer Journey with the Rosary

Your journey does not end here. Every step of prayer deepens your relationship with Christ crucified. Explore additional resources to cultivate grace and carry the peace of this sacred moment into daily life.

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The peaceful meadow path of the Lourdes Lower Prairie Stations