Prayer & Faith ResourcesCommon Prayers Liturgy of the Hours Friday Adoration How to Pray the Rosary Stations of the Cross Mary & the Saints Novenas Reading the Bible The WORD Among Us Stations of the Cross |
Stations of the CrossPilgrimages to JerusalemEarly Christians visiting Jerusalem wanted to see the sites of Jesus final hours and prayerfully follow in the footsteps of his passion and death. This devotion came to be known as “the way of the cross” or “stations of the cross.” The above map marks the “stations” as marked out in Jerusalem today. The second picture is where the Antonia Fortress, Pontius Pilate’s residence, was located. Here the stations begin with Jesus being condemned to death. It ends at the last picture, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead.
In the 16th century, when it was no longer possible to travel to Jerusalem, replica shrines of the way of the cross, became popular throughout Europe. Eventually, the set of 14 stations we now know were formed and they appear in almost every Catholic Church in the world. Windows in St. Mary Church![]() The windows in our parish church depict the fourteen stations of the cross and were donated by parish families. As one journeys with Christ in his passion, one also journeys with a community of faith. The passion of Christ is reflected in the hardships in their own life journeys.
The image of Jesus meeting his mother, reminds a family of their sixteen year old son killed in a car accident. In the image of Simon of Cyrene, we meet a commander who helped many orphans while serving in Vietnam. A window reflects a grandfather's plea (to a boy sent to live with grandparents when at age four, his mother died) that "you should help build at least one church in your lifetime." In the image Jesus falls a third time, a family recalls when a flood, fire at their parish, and job transfer brought them to Iowa. In the window of Mary holding the body of her son, parents are reminded of the death of their firstborn at 19 months. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 Why We Pray the Stations of the CrossThis devotion reminds us of the love the Father has by sending his only Son for us. We are reminded of the love that Jesus has for us - no greater friend than one willing to give his life for us. His passion and suffering reminds us to turn away from a sinful nature and embrace the ways of God. Jesus shows us how to journey through life's hardships and we are reminded he will not abandon us in those moments; never loose hope.
They are called stations, because we stay with him for a few moments, pondering his love for us and asking him for the strength we need to imitate his love in our own lives, even in our darkest moments. Praying the Stations of the Cross![]() Good Friday "Way of the Cross" procession in Rome
Each year on Good Friday, the Pope leads a torch lit "Way of the Cross" procession which begins near the Colosseum. A different person is selected to write the meditations and prayers for this tradition in Rome. Below are excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI's (then Cardinal Ratzinger)Meditations and Prayers for the Stations of the Cross at the Roman Colosseum, Good Friday 2005.
(Full text of Pope Benedict's meditations) Begin each station with this traditional prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world." Then read the reflection, taking a few moments to ponder on Jesus' love for us and our calling to love others. |