The Stations of the Cross

A Pilgrimage of Faith

 

The Stations of the Cross is a devotion popular in the Roman Catholic Church that follows Jesus Christ in prayer and reflection on his way to Calvary.

The devotion originated, historians suggest, with late 4th century Byzantine pilgrims who visited Jerusalem and its holy places. On Holy Thursday, processing from Gethsemane on the eastern side of the city, which is the traditional site of Jesus' agony in the garden, they walked westward to the church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of his crucifixion and resurrection.

Among other early witnesses, the 4th century nun, Eteria on pilgrimage from Gaul, reports frequent processions of pilgrims from Calvary to the tomb of Jesus when she was in the Holy Land. Over time, the processions extended to other places associated with his Passion.

The Via Dolorosa

From the 14th century on, pilgrims under the guidance of the Franciscans followed the journey of Jesus to Calvary along a route known today as the Via Dolorosa. Gradually locations were designated along the way, commemorating particular incidents of Jesus' Passion.

The Via Dolorosa begins at the remains of the fortress Antonia and proceeds westward through the streets of Jerusalem to the church of the Holy Sepulcher. Today pilgrims still walk this sacred route- which archeologists say is more symbolic than historically based- and remember the journey of Jesus

The Stations

Traditionally, there are fourteen stations that are visited, including both historical stations, as well as those assigned by tradition. For our purposes, we will visit seven.

As Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem on the way to Golgotha, so we also walk the streets of our cities, remembering that it was here that Jesus did his ministry, and for these that Jesus died

  1. Jesus is condemned to death

  2. Jesus takes up his cross

  3. Jesus is helped by Simon of

  4. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

  5. Jesus is nailed to the cross

  6. Jesus dies on the cross

  7. Jesus is buried in the tomb

 

Other “Stations” Links:

 

The Mid-Week Services

A Service of Stations for use in the city neighborhood

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