It is a work that recognizes that Christ, Our King, was lifted up on the cross for our sake clothed in strength and glory, to destroy the power of hell and to wash away our sins in His own blood. "How radiant and splendid is that precious cross which brought us our salvation. In the cross we are victorious, through the cross we shall reign, by the cross all evil is destroyed, alleluia. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. By your holy cross you have redeemed the world."

We unite the sufferings of Christ and His Mother by devotion to the Holy Cross. All these sufferings of Jesus were also those of Mary: 'Every torture inflicted on the body of Jesus,' says Saint Jerome, 'was a wound in the heart of the Mother.' 'Whoever then was present on the Mount of Calvary,' says Saint John Chrysostom, 'might see two altars, on which two great sacrifices were consummated; the one in the body of Jesus, the other in the heart of Mary.' .... 'The cross and nails of the Son were also those of His Mother; with Christ crucified the Mother was also crucified.' Yes; for, as Saint Bernard says, 'Love inflicted on the heart of Mary the tortures caused by the nails in the body of Jesus.' So much so that, as Saint Bernardine writes, 'At the same time that the Son sacrificed His body, the Mother sacrificed her soul.'  Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows has been inspired throughout the world at different times and under different circumstances. The devotion is observed by the faithful in many ways. We encourage this devotion to all in response to our Lady's requests

Knights of the Holy Cross are those members who respond more fully to the call to: Penance! Penance! Penance! They live a life of prayer and penance. They also seek to console the Mother of Sorrows through devotion to the Seven Sorrows. It is through her tears sure hope is given to the faithful in times of persecution. "Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing."

Wearing a Crucifix -  Preferably wood w/metal cross - Cross should have a  Corpus

 We wear the crucifix as an outer sign of the commitment to embrace each day in the spirit of sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind and in reparation for our own sins. The greatest sacrifice is to faithfully fulfill the duties of one's state in life for the love of God. 
 

Canon 1250  -  All Fridays throughout the year are penitential days.

USCCB: Recommended on all Fridays of the year is prayer, penance and almsgiving for the sake of world peace. Abstinence from meat on other Fridays of the year is recommended, but  not required. 

31 “When the son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats, 33 and he wiil place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. 34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come O blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the word; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee? 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ 46 And they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Opening Prayer:

        Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called to practice mercy towards others. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Mt 5:7). The Church sees in these words a call to action and she tries to practice mercy.

For the grace to :     Feed the hungry,
                                     Jesus, I trust in You. 

*Repeat for each act of Mercy