The Stations of the Cross?

Do you ever wonder what it was really like to be at the Passion of Jesus?

Our tendency is to approach the Gospels as history, far removed from who and where we are today. The temptation is to distance ourselves and approach them in an impersonal way. But the Gospels are a living, breathing, deeply personal experience. If we are to encounter the living Jesus as powerfully as possible, we need to learn to place ourselves there, in each scene, seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting everything that is happening, and contemplating what each person in the scene is thinking, feeling, hoping, and fearing.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed
the world.

What are the Stations of the Cross?

Ancient Christian pilgrims began traveling to the Holy Land to remember the events of Christ’s Passion and to “walk the traditional path Jesus took from his arrest to his passion and death. Because not everyone could travel to Jerusalem, the church began to offer local pilgrimage liturgies—the Way of the Cross,”

On Good Friday, millions of Christians around the world will be praying the liturgy of the Way of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross

“Moving from station to station, following the events in the words of scripture, and letting the prayers draw us into the narrative, we are given the opportunity to understand something about Christ’s passion and our involvement in it. The movement and the events are the heart of the Way (or Stations) of the Cross, and many different prayers and readings have been developed for this devotion. It can be said as a private form of prayer or, particularly on Fridays in Lent, as a public liturgy.

How Many Stations of the Cross Are There?

There are traditionally fourteen Stations of the Cross. Each station represents a different moment in Jesus’ Passion and Death, including:

Jesus is Condemned to Death
Jesus Carries the Cross
Jesus Falls for the First Time
Jesus Meets His Mother
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Jesus Falls a Second Time
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus Falls a Third Time
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus’ Body is Removed from the Cross
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Download a reference guide: How to pray the Stations of the Cross

How Do I Pray the Stations of the Cross?

The Stations of the Cross is a powerful and simple way to reflect on the final moments of Jesus’ life. If you are ready to draw wisdom and inspiration from this rich prayer, there are a few options available to you.

Pray the Stations of the Cross with a group: Most Catholic churches pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent. We encourage you to attend Stations of the Cross at your local parish. More than likely, your parish will have a depiction of each Station either inside or outside of the Church to help facilitate deeper reflection.

Pray the Stations of the Cross individually: If you can’t attend a Stations of the Cross service at your church, you can always pray them on your own. You can visit a church in your own time or even reflect from your own home.

For each station, follow the following steps:

Name the Station: The First Station is Jesus is Condemned to Death
Read the opening prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (Kneel) Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. (Rise) If you are unable to kneel, you can sit or stand.
Read the selected Scripture passage for inspiration.
Reflect and consider what this Station of the Cross means for your life.
End by praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Repeat this process for all fourteen stations, and you’ll be amazed at how the story of Jesus’ passion impacts your day!