Stations of the Cross


	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. The Stations of the Cross were unknown before the fifteenth century, but they became widespread after the seventeenth.

   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. Although most popular with the Roman Catholic church, the Stations of the Cross are for ALL Christians to remind us of the lessons that Jesus taught during His time on earth.. the very lessons that He displayed even at the moment of His greatest agony.

The celebration of the Stations of the Cross is especially common on the Fridays of Lent, especially Good Friday. In Jerusalem, the final steps to the cross are marked with small bronze placards set into the walls of the homes and shops along the way to the crucifixion. The faithful and the pilgrims reverently follow this trail of tears, praying at each station and acknowledging the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus made for mortal man.

In ‘modern’ religion, the Stations of the Cross are pictures used to represent certain scenes at the Passion of Christ. The pictures are often called 'The Way of the Cross'. The stations are a spiritual pilgrimage for the believer. It is believed they were originally created to enable those who were unable to make a physical journey to the Holy Land make a spiritual journey. More importantly, for Christians of all faiths, the Way of the Cross


Station One Jesus is condemned to death At the first station, Jesus stands before the judge, Pilate who pronounces his sentence.

	Station Two The cross is laid upon Jesus Soldiers place the cross upon Jesus' back and he is forced to walk with it to the place of crucifixion.

		Station Three His first fall The cross he bears is very heavy and Jesus falls.


		Station Four He meets Mary His mother, Mary meets him on the path.

	Station Five Simon of Cyrene bears the cross for Jesus A man called Simon of Cyrene bears Jesus' cross, on the orders of the soldiers who think Jesus is walking to too slowly.

	Station Six Veronica wipes his face A woman called Veronica pushes her way to the front of the crowd and wipes Jesus' face. Some say that his face was imprinted on the cloth that she wiped him with as a sign of his gratitude.


		Station Seven His second fall Jesus falls for a second time.

	Station Eight He meets the women of Jerusalem The women of Jerusalem are crying. In this station, Jesus is represented as comforting them,. demonstrating selfless thinking


		Station Nine He falls for the third time Jesus falls for the third and last time. After seeking the help of God he gets up again. This station is about perseverance.

	Station Ten Jesus's clothes are removed At the tenth station, Jesus is further humiliated and his clothes are taken away from him.


			Station Eleven Jesus is crucified This station represents Jesus being nailed to the cross. Jesus asks God to forgive his tormentors.

	Station Twelve Jesus dies on the cross This station remembers that Jesus gave his life for humanity.

Station Thirteen Jesus is taken down from the cross He is supported by his mother.

		Station Fourteen Jesus is laid in the tomb This is the last station and recalls the wrapping of Jesus in a sheet and placing him in a tomb. A heavy boulder is passed over the entrance of the tomb.


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