The Stations
Of The Cross
also known as The Ways Of The Cross
Here is a very basic, but useful introduction to the
Stations Of The Cross. I have made this for the benefit of those who do not
know much or anything at all about this devotion.
What are The Stations Of The Cross?
The Stations Of The Cross are a popular Catholic devotion which
commemorates the Passion and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What do the fourteen stations mean?
Each of the fourteen stations stands for an event which occured
during Jesus' Passion and death at Calvalry on Good Friday. A person making
the Stations Of The Cross is to meditate about each event depicted at each
station, and pray.
Where does one make the Stations Of The Cross?
At many Catholic Churchs and Chapels, mounted along the sides of
the interior walls are fourteen plaques which depicts each Station Of The
Cross. A person making the Stations will go to each station and pray and
meditate about that particular event which Jesus went through in His Passion
and death. Sadly, many Churches today have removed their Stations Of The
Cross, for reasons which are unkown to me.
Can The Stations Be Done Anywhere? Are special prayers to be
recited?
Yes, the Stations Of The Cross can be done anywhere, with a group
of people, alone, and mentally. There are no specific prayers that are to
be said. There are many different prayers written by various people throughout
the centuries which are beautiful and profound. You can make your own personal
prayer which you recite when you meditate about each station.
When did the devotion to the Stations Of The Cross
begin?
The Stations were originally performed many centuries ago by Christian
pilgrims who actually visited the Holy Land, and went to the sites of Jesus'
Passion. There are records of similar forms of this devotion which date back
to the 400s.
Who were the great promoters of this devotion?
Promotion of the devotion to the Stations began in earnest with
the Franciscans, who were given custody of the Holy Places in the Holy Land
in the 1300s. Many great Saints, numerous Popes, and countless Catholics,
have all enriched their spiritual lives with this powerful devotion.
Did you know that the Pope once made a special Stations?
Pope John Paul II, once during a Good Friday, slightly altered the
usual fourteen stations in this manner: (1) Jesus' agony in the garden (2)
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and is arrested (3) Jesus is condemned by the
Sanhedrin (4) Jesus is denied by Peter (5) Jesus is condemned by Pontius
Pilate (6) Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns (7) Jesus is made to
carry the cross (8) Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus with His cross (9) Jesus
meets with the women of Jerusalem (10) Jesus is crucified (11) Jesus promises
paradise to the repentant theif (12) Jesus speaks to John and Mary on the
cross (13) Jesus dies on the cross (14) Jesus is buried in the tomb.
Click below to see the image collection of each
of the Stations:
Go
Back To The Stations Of The Cross Main Web Page
Go To
My Blessed Virgin Mary Art Page
Last revised 7 March anno Domini 1996 by
JoCatholic@aol.com