THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The Stations of the Cross is one of the oldest devotions of the Catholic Church and one of the most popular. The purpose of praying the stations is to make a spiritual journey, a small pilgrimage, to the chief scenes of Christ's Passion and Death.  The history of walking the stations goes back to the days when pilgrims were first able to go to Jerusalem and openly walk in the footsteps of Jesus on Good Friday.  But this didn't happen for at least 250 - 300 years after Christianity began, as THE CHURCH, was an underground religion in the first centuries due to the years of persecution and martyrdom that the Early Christians were subjected to.  It wasn't until Emperor Constantine allowed Christians to legally worship in the open in 313 A.D., and after he erected the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at the site of Jesus' empty tomb, that Christians were able to visit the Holy Land and openly profess their faith.   

Soon after the completion of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, pilgrims would walk to the church especially during Holy Week. The procession began at the ruins of the Fortress of Antonia (where Pontius Pilate handed down his verdict on Jesus) and ended at the tomb of Jesus.  The path they followed through the ancient city of Jerusalem was overall accepted as the way Jesus took to his death and is still used today.  It is known as the "Sorrowful Way" or in Latin the "Via Dolorosa."

Over time, the stations were established to note the specific events on the road to Golgotha (Mount Calvary).   Because Jerusalem was completely destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., these stations may not have been the actual places where these events took place.  When the pilgrims returned to Europe they built their own stations of the cross to recreate the Via Dolorosa and these became very important after the Muslims took over the Holy Land in the seventh century preventing Christians from visiting the holy sites.

In 1342, the Franciscan Friars took over custody of the holy sites in the Holy Land and with that the devotions of the Way of the Cross returned in earnest.  The Franciscans became the authority of this devotion as Church regulations required a set of stations for churches to be blessed by a Franciscan when possible.  Depictions of the Stations of the Cross did not become common in churches until 1686 when Pope Innocent XI permitted the Franciscans to erect them in all their churches.  Later Pope Clement XII fixed the number of stations to 14 where it remained ever since until recent times when many churches added the Resurrection as the 15th station.

In 1991, Pope John Paul II introduced the Scriptural Way of the Cross to have the devotion align more with the biblical account of Christ's passion. This has been celebrated in that form every year since then in the Colosseum in Rome.  Pope Benedict XVI approved the Scriptural Way of the Cross for meditation and public celebration in 2007.

The Stations for the Scriptural Way of the Cross is as follows:  Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane; Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested; Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin; Jesus is denied by Peter; Jesus is judged by Pilate; Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns; Jesus takes up his cross; Simon helps Jesus carry his cross; Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem; Jesus is crucified; Jesus promises a place in his kingdom to the good thief; Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other; Jesus dies on the cross; Jesus is lain in the tomb.

Last summer I made a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA.  There they had a beautiful representation of the Stations of the Cross on the grounds and I took the following pictures of each one.  I have also included the prayers and meditation of the Stations of the Cross.

Opening Prayer For the Stations of the Cross

Act of Contrition

O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet.  From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good.  I will die rather than offend thee again.

I
 Jesus Is Condemned To Death By Pilate

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate.  Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody helps defend you. You devoted your entire life to helping others, listening to the smallest ones, caring for those who were ignored by others.  They don't seem to remember that as they prepare to put you to death.

As a child, sometimes I feel alone.  Sometimes I feel that others don't stand up for me and defend me when I am afraid. Sometimes I don't feel like I am treated fairly, especially if I am scolded or corrected.

As an adult, sometimes I feel abandoned and afraid as well. Sometimes I too, feel like I am treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. I have a hard time when people criticize me at home or at work.

Help me be grateful for what you did for me.  Help me to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain.  Help me pray for those who have hurt me. My Jesus, often have I signed the death warrant by my sins; save me by Thy death from that eternal death which I have so often deserved.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

II
Jesus Takes Up His Cross

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew you would carry it to your death on Calvary.  You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same.

As a child, sometimes I don't like the problems that come my way.  Sometimes I try to get others to take care of them or solve them for me.  Sometimes I become upset and crabby when I am asked to do even the smallest thing to help others.

As an adult I sometimes feel like I'm not appreciated.  Sometimes I feel as if I accept more responsibility than I need to.  I can feel sorry for myself, even though the crosses others carry are much larger than my own.  In my self-pity, I don't reach out to help.

My Jesus, Who by Thine own will didst take on Thee the most heavy cross I made for Thee by my sins, oh, make me feel their heavy weight, and weep for them ever while I live.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

III
Jesus Falls The First Time

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, the cross you have been carrying is very heavy.  You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you.  The soldiers are interested in getting home, so they yell at you and try to get you up and moving again. 

As a child, sometimes I start to do something, but then get tired of it.  I hurry to get finished and sometimes don't do my work well.  Sometimes I don't pay attention to what I should be doing. When things get hard for me, sometimes I give up.

As an adult, I sometimes put things off. I give up too easily and sometimes don't do my work as well as I know I can.

My Jesus, the heavy burden of my sins is on Thee, and bears Thee down beneath the cross.  I loathe them, I detest them, I call on Thee to pardon them; may Thy grace aid me never more to commit them.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

IV
Jesus Meets His Mother

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, you feel so alone with all those people yelling and screaming at you.  You don't like the words they are saying about you, and you look for a friendly face in the crowd.  You see your mother.  She can't make the hurting stop, but it helps to see that she is on your side, that she is suffering with you.  She does understand and care. 

As a child sometimes I feel like too many things are going on.  Sometimes other kids pick on my and call me names.  I need to look around me for a friendly face, and for the help I need.  I need to share my troubles with those who truly care about me.  

As an adult I sometimes feel overwhelmed by many things. Life is so competitive, and I worry so much about my future and those who have some control over it.  I need to remember that being an adult does not mean having to solve every problem all by myself.  I need to look around me for a friendly face, for the help I need.

Jesus most suffering, Mary Mother most sorrowful, if, by my sins, I caused you pain and anguish in the past, by God's assisting grace it shall be so no more; rather be you my love henceforth till death.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

V
Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, the soldiers are becoming impatient.  This is taking longer than they wanted it to.  They are afraid you won't make it to the hill where you will be crucified.  As you grow weaker, they grab a man out of the crowd and make him help carry your cross.  He was just watching what was happening, but all of a sudden he is helping you carry your cross. 

As a child, sometimes I see people who need my help. Sometimes  pretend not to hear when my parents call me. I disappear when I know others could use my help.

As an adult, sometimes I try to do as little as I can and still get by.  Others might need my help, but I ignore their needs.  Even when I'm asked to help, I sometimes claim to be too busy.

My Jesus, blest, thrice blest was he who aided Thee to bear the cross.  Blest too shall I be if I aid Thee to bear the cross by patiently bowing my neck to the crosses Thou shalt send me during life. My Jesus, give me grace to do so.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

VI
Veronica Wipes The Face Of Jesus

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, suddenly a woman comes out of the crowd.  Her name is Veronica.  You can see how she cares for you as she takes a cloth and begins to wipe the blood and sweat from your face.  She can't do much, but she offers what little help she can.

As a child, sometimes I know someone could use a little help and understanding.  They may be picked on or teased by others, or just sad or lonely.  Sometimes I feel bad that others don't step in to help, but I don't help either.

As an adult, I notice the needs around me.  Sometimes my own family members crave my attention, and I don't even seem to notice.  Sometimes a co-worker, friend, or family member could use help or understanding, but I don't reach out to help lest I be criticized, or that they demand more of me than I'd like to give.

My tender Jesus, Who didst deign to print Thy sacred face upon the cloth with which Veronica wiped the sweat from off Thy brow, print in my soul deep, I pray Thee, the lasting memory of Thy bitter pains.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

VII
Jesus Falls The Second Time

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

This is the second time you have fallen on the road.  As the cross grows heavier and heavier it becomes more difficult to get up.  But you continue to struggle and try until you're up and walking again.  You don't give up.

As a child, sometimes things get me down.  Others seem to find things easier to do or to learn.  Each time I fail, I find it harder to keep trying.

As an adult, sometimes I think I should know more than I do.  I become impatient with myself and find it hard to believe in myself when I fail.  It is easy to despair over small things, and sometimes I do.

Help me when things seem difficult for me.  Even when it's hard, help me get up and keep trying as you did.   Help me do my best without comparing myself with others.

My Jesus, often have I sinned and often, by sin, have beaten Thee to the ground beneath the cross.  Help me to use the efficacious means of grace that I may never fall again.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

VIII
Jesus Speaks To The Women of Jerusalem

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, as you carry your cross you see a group of women along the road.  As you pass by you see they are sad.  You stop to spend a moment with them, to offer them some encouragement.  Although you have been abandoned by your friends and are in pain, you stop and try to help them.

As a child, sometimes I think a lot about myself.  I think about what I want and would like people to spend their lives pleasing me.

As an adult, sometimes I act like a child.  I become so absorbed in myself and what I'd like that I forget about the needs of others.  I take them for granted and often ignore their needs.

Help me think more about others.  Help me remember that others have problems too.  Help me respond to them even when I'm busy or preoccupied with my own problems.

My Jesus, Who didst comfort the pious women of Jerusalem who wept to see Thee bruised and torn, comfort my soul with Thy tender pity, for in Thy pity lies my trust.  May my heart ever answer Thine.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

IX
Jesus Falls The Third Time

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, your journey has been long.  You fall again, beneath your cross.  You know your journey is coming to an end.  You struggle and struggle. You get up and keep going.

As a child, sometimes I fail time and time again.  I find it hard to get along with my sisters and brothers, sometimes I'm not honest, sometimes I'm lazy. I'm tempted to stop trying.  It's just too hard sometimes.

As an adult, I often feel I should have conquered my weaknesses by now.  I become discouraged when I'm confronted by the same problems over and over again.  Sometimes I get weary.  When I have health problems, I can become discouraged and depressed.

Help me think of the cross you carried.  Help me continue to hope that I can make the changes in my life I need to.  You didn't give up.  I can have the strength to get up again as well.

My Jesus, by all the bitter woes Thou didst endure when for the third time the heavy cross bowed Thee to the earth, never, I beseech Thee, let me fall again into sin.  Ah, my Jesus, rather let me die than ever offend Thee again.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

X
Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

The soldiers notice you have something of value.  They remove your cloak and throw dice for it.  You wounds are torn open once again.  Some of the people in the crowd make fun of you.  They tease you and challenge you to perform a miracle for them to see.  They're not aware that you'll perform the greatest miracle of all!

As a child, sometimes I'm tempted to repeat stories I know are unclean and disrespectful.  I sometimes try to act grownup by using crude and bad words.

As an adult, sometimes I repeat stories that are disrespectful of others.  I can entertain thoughts that are not clean.  Sometimes I give the young people around me a bad example to follow.

Help me to keep myself pure and clean.  Help me say things that build up the people around me. Help me overcome worldly desires that I may become more like Jesus. Help me set a good example for others to follow.

My Jesus, stripped of Thy garments and drenched with gall, strip me of love for things of earth, and make me loathe all that savors of the world and sin.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

XI
Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

You are stretched out on the cross you have carried so far.  The soldiers take big nails and drive them into your hands and feet.  You feel abandoned by the people you loved so much.  People seem to have gone mad.  You have done nothing but  good, yet they drive nails through your hands and feet. 

As a child, sometimes I hurt others.  Sometimes I join with friends and decide not to like another. We gang up against another and cause them hurt and pain.  Sometimes I say or do hurtful things to my brothers and sisters.  I can wonder what they'd think about themselves if they believed everything I told them about themselves.

As an adult, sometimes I discriminate against others.  Even without thinking, I judge others because of their color, intelligence, income level or name.  I forget that I am to live as a brother or sister to all people.  Sometimes I use harsh words when I speak to my children and family members.  I can find it easy to look for something that isn't very important and make it very important.

Help me look again at the people around me.  Help me see the hurt and pain I have caused in others.  Be with me to help me make amends for the harm I have done.

My Jesus, by Thine agony when the cruel nails pierced Thy tender hands and feet and fixed them to the cross, make me crucify my flesh by Christian penance.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

XII
Jesus Dies Upon The Cross

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As Jesus hung on the cross, he forgave the soldiers who had crucified him, and prayed for his mother and friends.  Jesus wanted all of us to be able to live forever with God, so he gave all he had for us.

Jesus let me take a few moments now to consider your love for me..  Help me thank you for your willingness to go to your death for me.  Help me express my love for you!

My Jesus, three hours didst Thou hang in agony, and then die for me; let me die before I sin, and if I live, live for Thy love and faithful service.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

XIII
Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, how brutally you were put to death.  How gently you are taken from the cross.  Your suffering and pain are ended, and you are put in the lap of your mother.  The dirt and blood are wiped away.  You are treated with love.

As a child, sometimes I treat others better when they're sad or in pain.  When somebody dies, I become very gentle and kind.  I notice the good and kind things people say about those who have died.

As an adult, I seem to be kinder when someone dies.  If only I could learn to see the good things about them while they were alive.  If only I would tell those around me how much I love them, while I still have the opportunity to do so.

Help me look for the good in those around me, especially those I love the most.  Help me live this day as if it were the last.  Help me become a more gentle and loving person through my great appreciation for those around me.

O Mary, Mother most sorrowful, the sword of grief pierced thy soul when thou didst see Jesus lying lifeless on thy bosom; obtain for me hatred of sin because sin slew thy Son and wounded thine own heart, and grace to live a Christian life and save my soul. 

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

XIV
Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, your body is prepared for burial.  Joseph gave you his own tomb.  He laid your body there and rolled a large stone in front of it, then went home.  What a sad day it has been for so many people.

As a child sometimes I try to keep everything for myself.  I find it hard to share my things with my brothers or sisters and with my friends.

As an adult, I can be selfish too.  I can accumulate things and keep them for myself.  I try to make sure I have what I want before I share what I have with anybody else.

Help me think of Joseph of Arimathea, who risked his own life as he accepted Jesus' body for burial.  Help me think of how Joseph loved Jesus so much that he gave him his own tomb.

My Jesus, beside Thy body in the tomb I, too, would lie dead; but if I live, let it be for Thee, so as one day to enjoy with Thee in heaven the fruits of Thy passion and Thy bitter death.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Live as Christ Lived, Love as Christ Loved, Touch Someone Else's Life as Christ Did