The Stations Of The Cross

What are the Stations Of The Cross?

The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St. Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period. It is less often observed in Anglicanism, and Lutheranism as well. It may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday and on Friday evenings during Lent.

The object of the Stations is to help the faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, through meditating upon the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death. It has become one of the most popular devotions for Roman Catholics.

Below are pictures of each station and the description of the event that each station represents.

	Jesus is Condemned to death
	Jesus receives the cross
	Jesus falls the first time
	Jesus meets his mother (Mother and Son)
	Simon helps Jesus carry the cross
	Veronica wipes Jesus' face with her veil
	Jesus falls the second time
	Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
	Jesus falls the third time
	Jesus is stripped of His garments
	Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
	Jesus dies on the cross
	Jesus' body is removed from the cross
	Jesus is laid in the tomb

 

Note: While we may pay special attention to the Stations Of The Cross during Lent, they can be done at any time throughout the year.