Stations of the Cross

Definition The 14 Stations Reflections

Stations of the Cross is a series of artistic representations, very often sculptural, depicting Christ Carrying the Cross to his crucifixion in the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotions using that series to commemorate the Passion , often moving physically around a set of stations. The vast majority of Roman Catholic churches now contain such a series, typically placed at intervals along the side walls of the nave; in most churches these are small plaques with reliefs or paintings, simpler than most of the examples shown here. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St. Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period. It is commonly observed in Lutheranism, but it is less often observed in Anglicanism. 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.

Stations of the Cross

Definition The 14 Stations Reflections

Jesus is Condemned to Die Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross Jesus Falls the First Time Jesus Meets His Mother

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Jesus Falls the Third Time

Jesus is Stripped of His Garments Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face Jesus Falls the Second Time

Jesus Dies on the Cross

Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Stations of the Cross

Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 1st Station Jesus is Condemned to Die
Jesus stands in the most human of places. He has already experienced profound solidarity with so many on this earth, by being beaten and tortured. Now he is wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. His commitment to entering our lives completely begins its final steps. He has said "yes" to God and placed his life in God's hands. We follow him in this final surrender, and contemplate with reverence each place along the way, as he is broken and given for us.

Stations of the Cross

Definition The 14 Stations Reflections

2nd Station Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross

Jesus is made to carry the cross on which he will die. It represents the weight of all our crosses. What he must have felt as he first took it upon his shoulders! With each step he enters more deeply into our human experience. He walks in the path of human misery and suffering, and experiences its crushing weight.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 3rd Station Jesus Falls the First Time
The weight is unbearable. Jesus falls under it. How could he enter our lives completely without surrendering to the crushing weight of the life of so many on this earth! He lies on the ground and knows the experience of weakness beneath unfair burdens. He feels the powerlessness of wondering if he will ever be able to continue. He is pulled up and made to continue.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 4th Station Jesus Meets His Mother
Jesus' path takes him to a powerful source of his strength to continue. All his life, his mother had taught him the meaning of the words, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord." Now they look into each other's eyes. How pierced-through her heart must be! How pained he must be to see her tears! Now, her grace-filled smile blesses his mission and stirs his heart to its depth. Love and trust in God bind them together.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 5th Station Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Jesus even experiences our struggle to receive help. He is made to experience the poverty of not being able to carry his burden alone. He enters into the experience of all who must depend upon others to survive. He is deprived of the satisfaction of carrying this burden on his own.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 6th Station Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face
Jesus' journey is at times brutal. He has entered into the terrible experiences of rejection and injustice. He has been whipped and beaten. His face shows the signs of his solidarity with all who have ever suffered injustice and vile, abusive treatment. He encounters a compassionate, loving disciple who wipes the vulgar spit and mocking blood from his face. On her veil, she discovers the image of his face - his gift to her. And, for us to contemplate forever

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 7th Station Jesus Falls the Second Time
Even with help, Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground. In deep exhaustion he stares at the earth beneath him. "Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return." He has seen death before. Now he can feel the profound weakness of disability and disease and aging itself, there on his knees, under the weight of his cross.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 8th Station Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
The women of Jerusalem, and their children, come out to comfort and thank him. They had seen his compassion and welcomed his words of healing and freedom. He had broken all kinds of social and religious conventions to connect with them. Now they are here to support him. He feels their grief. He suffers, knowing he can't remain to help them more in this life. He knows the mystery of facing the separation of death.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 9th Station Jesus Falls the Third Time
This last fall is devastating. Jesus can barely proceed to the end. Summoning all this remaining strength, supported by his inner trust in God, Jesus collapses under the weight of the cross. His executioners look at him as a broken man, pathetic yet paying a price he deserves. They help him up so he can make it up the hill of crucifixion.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 10th Station Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Part of the indignity is to be crucified naked. Jesus is completely stripped of any pride The wounds on his back are torn open again. He experiences the ultimate vulnerability of the defenseless. No shield or security protects him. As they stare at him, his eyes turn to heaven.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 11th Station Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Huge nails are hammered through his hands and feet to fix him on the cross. He is bleeding much more seriously now. As the cross is lifted up, the weight of his life hangs on those nails. Every time he struggles to pull himself up to breathe, his ability to cling to life slips away.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 12th Station Jesus Dies on the Cross

Between two criminals, a mocking title above his head, with only Mary and John and Mary Magdalene to support him, Jesus surrenders his last breath: "Into your hands I commend my spirit."

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 13th Station Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

What tender mourning! Jesus' lifeless body lies in his mother's arms. He has truly died. A profound sacrifice, complete.

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Definition The 14 Stations Reflections 14th Station Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
They take the body of Jesus to its resting place. The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the permanence of death. In this final act of surrender, who would have imagined this tomb would soon be empty or that Jesus would show himself alive to his disciples, or that they would recognize him in the breaking of bread? Oh, that our hearts might burn within us, as we realize how he had to suffer and die so as to enter into his glory, for us.

Station of the Cross

Definition The 14 Stations Reflections

Kathryn Wilcox We moved to Erie, far away from family and friends when I was between four and five years old. The first thing my parents did after we got settled into our new apartment was locate the neighborhood Catholic Church. We found St Paul's just two blocks away, an easy walking distance in the early 50s when walking was how you got to most places. With no television, our faith was the center of our lives and our activities. The Stations of the Cross were a family event each Lent.

Station of the Cross

Definition The 14 Stations Reflections

Francis Harris In the Old City of Jerusalem, deep within narrow stone passageways, you can find a street called the "Via Dolorosa" - that is, the Way of the Cross, or the Way of Suffering. It was established in the 18th century, to mark the route that Jesus of Nazareth allegedly walked, carrying his cross to death by crucifixion in around 30AD. We can't we sure of the exact route, but the historical evidence in the Bible and other sources, does certainly record the crucifixion event. It was common form of execution used by the controlling Roman powers.

Station of the Cross

Definition The 14 Stations Reflections

Scott Scherr One doesnt need to take a pilgrimage through the streets of Jerusalem to feel the intensity, conviction and passion surrounding the final days of Jesus Christ, for that is what it means to visit the Stations of the Cross, or the Way of the Cross. When I reflect upon the passages of scripture that describe the sufferings of Gods only Son, and what that lasting act of love meant, I am moved to silence and overwhelmed by what Jesus had to endure for my sinful sake. From the garden to the cross, through the deepest realms of darkness to the highest place in heaven, this is the way of the cross, and the final atoning sacrifice for mankind.

Station of the Cross

Definition Effie Moore Salem Stations of the cross show pictures or plaques of each agonizing step forward Christ faced during the Crucifixion. Christians use these as reminders when they recreate these agonies in their minds as they prepare to purify their souls during the Lenten season. They do this as a preparatory measure before Easter. Traditionally, the Stations of the Cross began In the fourth century when Christians made pilgrimages to the Holy Land during the reign of Emperor Constantine. He was the Roman Ruler who stopped the persecution of believers and who cleared the way for them to worship their religion. In fact he was one of them, having been converted by as sign predicting his victory before a great battle. The 14 Stations Reflections