stations

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Via Crucis, Via Dolorosa, or way of the cross, is a popular devotion used to meditate on different scenes from the passion and death of Christ.

The purpose of the Stations of the Cross is to help the faithful make in spirit, as it were, a pilgrimage to the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death.

There are fourteen stations, or "halting places" where one stops to meditate on a different scene from the passion of our lord. The stations are represented by pictures, statues, or engravings, each of which is to include a small cross. The number of stations has varied greatly, ranging up to 37 stations. For example, in 1584 a book written by Adrichomius entitled Jerusalem "Sicit Christi Tempore Floruit," gives 12 stations that match those in our present version. in 1731, Pope Clement VII permitted stations to be created in all churches and fixed the number at 14. pope Clement XII also permitted a plenary indulgence to be granted for those worshipers who piously exercise the way of the cross ("Enchiridion of Endulgences," no. 63).

There is no devotion more richly endowed with indulgences than the Way of the Cross, and none which enables us more literally to obey Christ's injunction to take up our cross and follow him.

Below are the Stations of the Cross, learn the importance of the stations in the devotional life of all catholics.

may god bless you in your journey

Prayer before Stations

My Lord Jesus Christ, You have made this journey to die for me with love unutterable, and I have so many times unworthily abandoned You, but now I love You with my whole heart, and because I love You, I repent sincerely for having ever offended You. Pardon me, my God, and permit me to accompany You on this journey. You go to die for love of me, I wish also, my beloved Redeemer, to die for love of You. My Jesus, I will always live and die united to You. Amen

Stations of the Cross

Prayer before each Station | Prayers after each Station 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th

Prayer before each Station: I adore You, Lord Jesus, and I praise you. Because by Your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
1st Station - Jesus is condemned to death.: Meditation: Consider Jesus, scourged and crowned with thorns, being unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross.
2nd Station - Jesus accepts His cross.: Meditation: A heavy cross is laid upon the bruised shoulders of Jesus. He receives it with meekness for by the Holy Cross He will redeem the World.
3rd Station - Jesus falls for the first time.: Meditation: Laboring under the weight of the cross, Jesus slowly sets forth to Calvary. His strength fails Him; He fall to the ground under the cross.
4th Station - Jesus meets His afflicted Mother: Meditation: Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. A sword of anguish pierced His Mother's heart.
5th Station - Simon of Cyrene Helps: Meditation: As the strength of Jesus fails, and He is unable to proceed, the executioners compel Simon of cyrene to help carry his cross.
6th Station - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus: Meditation: The holy woman , Veronica seeing Jesus with His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him her veil. He wiped His face, and left the imprint of His adorable countenance.
7th Station - Jesus falls the second time: Meditation: The pain of His wounds and the loss of His blood increasing at every step. His strength fails and Jesus falls to the ground a second time.
8th Station - Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem: Meditation: Women went with compassion at the pitiful sight of Jesus walking along. He said to them. "Weep not so much for me, but rather for your children.
9th Station - Jesus falls for the third time: Meditation: Jesus falls for the third time. His weakness was extreme., they tried to hasten His steps when he hardly had strength to move.
10th Station - Jesus is stripped of His garments: Meditation: Recall how Jesus arrived at the place of His Crucifixion. The soldiers tore His clothes from His bleeding body.
11th Station - Jesus is nailed to the cross: Meditation: Jesus lies down upon His Cross, and extends His arms to offer up the sacrifice of His Life for our salvation. The soldiers nail Him, hands and feet.
12th Station - Jesus dies on the cross: Meditation: Recall how Jesus agonized for three hours, dying upon the Cross. Then, overcome, His Body sagged; and He breathed His last.
13th Station - Jesus is taken down from the cross: Meditation: Recall how two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Jesus' body down from His Cross and they laid Him in the arms of His stricken Mother.
14th Station - Jesus is laid in the sepulchre: Meditation: The Body of Her dearly beloved Son is laid in the tomb. The lifeless Body remains until the hour of its glorious Resurrection.

Prayers after each Station

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Prayer after Stations

Jesus, You became an example of humility, obedience and patience, and preceded me on the way of life bearing Your Cross. Grant that, inflamed with Your love, I may cheerfully take upon myself the sweet yoke of Your Gospel together with the mortification of the Cross and follow You as a true disciple so that I may be united with You in heaven. Amen.