Catholic Devotions

The Stations of the Cross

Mr. Pablo Cuadra

Religion Class
 What are the stations of the Cross?
• The stations of the Cross are
14 representations of the
Passion of Christ and Jesus’
final moments culminating in
his crucifixion and death.

• The stations of the cross play

an integral role in Catholic
devotion specially during the
Holy Season of Lent.
 What other names are used to
describe the stations of the Cross?
• The stations of the
Cross are also known
as:
Via Crucis
Way of the Cross
The way
Via Dolorosa
Way of Sorrows
What Christian Traditions practice
the way of the Cross?
• This Catholic devotion
has become a
popular devotion for
many other Christian
denominations .

• Among the Christian

denominations that
use this devotion are:
Anglicans, Methodist,
Episcopalians, and
Lutherans.
What is the appropriate time to pray
the Stations of the Cross?
• As a personal devotion the
stations of the cross can be
prayed at any time during the
year.

• The importance of this

devotion is particularly
highlighted during the liturgical
season of Lent.

• The Church’s tradition has

been to pray this devotion
during all Fridays of Lent,
specially on Good Friday.
 Are the stations of the Cross
Sacramentals?
• The stations of the cross are
considered sacramentals.

• Sacramentals are Holy objects or

actions that predispose us to
grace. Other examples of
sacramentals are: Rosary,
prayers, blessings, genuflections,
among others.

• Sacramentals help us develop an

attitude of prayer, faith, holiness,
and devotion.
 What is the purpose of the Stations
of the Cross?
• The stations of the Cross or
Via Crucis help us make a
spiritual pilgrimage of
prayer to the most
important scenes of Christ’s
suffering and death also
known as the Passion of
Christ.
 What are the Traditional 14
Stations of the Cross?
• Jesus is condemned to death
• Jesus takes up his cross
• Jesus falls the first time
• Jesus meets his mother
• Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his
cross
• Veronica Wipes the face of Jesus
• Jesus falls a second time
• Jesus comfort the Women
• Jesus falls a third time
• Jesus is stripped
• Jesus is nailed to the Cross
• Jesus dies on the Cross
• Jesus is taken down from the cross
• Jesus is buried.
 What is the source for the Stations
of the Cross?
• The stations of the cross are
drawn from scripture and
tradition.

• Besides the traditional stations of

the Cross there are other
versions that can be used as
alternate choices during Lent.

• For instance, Pope John Paul II

developed a version of the
Stations of the Cross that is
based completely on the
Scriptures.
 John Paul II’s
Stations of the Cross
• On Good Friday 1991 The Pope celebrated the 9. Jesus meet with the women of Jerusalem
following stations: Luke 23: 27-31
1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. 10. Jesus is crucified
Matthew 25:36-41
Luke 23: 33-34
2. Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested. Mark
14: 43-46 11. Jesus promises paradise to the thief
Luke 23: 39-43
3. Jesus condemned by the Sanhedrin.
Luke 22: 66-71 12. Jesus speaks to his mother and disciple
4. Jesus is denied by Peter. John 19: 25-27
Matthew 26: 69-75
13. Jesus dies
5. Jesus is Judge by Pilate Luke 23: 44-46
Mark 15: 1-5, 15
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb
6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns. Matthew 27: 57-60
John 19: 1-3

7. Jesus is made to carry his cross.

John 19:6, 15-17

8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus. Mark 15:21

 Did you know?
• The Holy Father John Paul II
led the Stations of the cross
every year on Good Friday at
the Roman Colosseum where
many Christians were
martyred for their faith in
Christ.

• The Pope himself carried the

cross for the stations until his
illness did not allow him to do
so. Others carried the cross for
him while he presided from a
stage.

• Pope Benedict XVI continues

to lead the Via Crucis on Good
Fridays.
 Who can lead the stations of the
Cross?
• The stations of the
Cross can be lead by
an ordain minister like
a priest or a deacon
or by a layperson.
Where can one find the Stations of
the Cross?
• The stations of the
cross are usually
found on the walls of
any Catholic Church
or oratory (chapel).

• They can be found as

paintings or carved
images made out of
metal, ceramic or
wood.
 What is the Via Dolorosa?
• The Via Dolorosa or sorrowful way is
the route tradition holds was taken by
Jesus toward his crucifixion and
death at Golgotha or place of the
skull also known as Calvary.

• Every day Catholics and Orthodox

Christians in the Holy Land process in
large groups praying the stations of
the Cross on the Via dolorosa.

• Did you know? The Franciscan order

has been entrusted with the
protection of the Holy places and
shrines in the Holy Land
•

Procession at Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

 Did you know?
• Each year the Holy
Father invites a different
persons to compose the
meditations for the
stations of the cross that
are going to be recited
during the Via Crucis on
Good Friday.
 When were the stations of the
Cross developed?
• This devotion arose during the
Crusades when the knights and
pilgrims began to follow the route
of Christ's way to Calvary in the
Holy Land.

• This devotion was made popular in

Europe by the Franciscan order in
the 14th and 15th centuries.

• Eventually, the Stations of the

Cross became an important
instructional tool, inspiring some of
the greatest examples of medieval
Christian art.
How do we pray the Stations of the
Cross?
• There is not one particular way
of praying the stations of the
cross. However, most
devotionals have clear
instructions on how to pray the
stations.
• The following is just an
example of one of the ways one
may pray the Stations of the
cross:
• 1. After announcing each station,
genuflect and say:
• V .We adore you O Christ and we
praise you,
R. Because by your holy Cross
you have redeemed the world.
• 2. Then you can read an
scripture passage connected
to this station, followed by a
short meditation or reflection
on the station.
• 3. Conclude with a prayer and
continue to the next station.
• 4. A traditional song like
Stabat Mater Dolorosa or any
appropriate refrain can be
sung as the procession
continues to the next station.
 Why some parishes have a 15th
station?
• Many parishes includes a
15th station representing the
Resurrection of our Lord. To
highlight the unity of the
Paschal mystery: Life,
death, and resurrection of
our Lord.
 What is the Spiritual theme found in
the stations of the Cross?
• Praying the stations of the cross help us
reflect and experience on the mystery of
salvific suffering.

• Christ the suffering servant becomes in his

suffering solidarious with those who are
oppressed by pain, injustice and indifference
and those who are oppressed by pain,
injustice and indifference can identify with
and draw hope from the suffering of the
savior.

• In a sense, the way of the cross reminds us

that we are not alone in our own sorrowful
journey; Christ our savior is walking along
with us giving us the strength to face of our
pain, fears and disappointments, reminding
us every step of the way of the future glory
that awaits those who rely on God as their
hope and salvation.
 How to benefit from this devotion?
• Pray this devotion with your family
or with your friends.

• Lent is not the only time to pray

with the stations. Any day of the
week can be an opportunity to
reflect on Christ’s passion.

• Practice visualization as you pray

and recall the stations of the cross.
Imagine what is taking place and
place yourself in the midst of the
story.

• Finally, pay attention to the

insights, thoughts, feelings God
places in your mind and heart as
you pray and meditate on the
Lord’s passion.
 Isaiah 53
“The suffering Servant”
"He had no form or comeliness that we should look
at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our grieves and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all".

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