The Stations of the Cross

LITURGICAL SEASONS OF THE YEAR- CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS.

12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross.

The Tradition of the Stations of the Cross.

The traditional way of following Christ on His journey to Calvary is The Stations of the Cross.  Its beginnings occurred when pilgrims to the Holy Land would walk the route that Christ Himself took as He carried His Cross to Calvary where He died. Millions of pilgrims who have visited the Holy Land, including myself have walked that route. It really is an experience of walking in the steps of Jesus. These early pilgrims took the tradition back home with them. The Church then established the 'fourteen stations', which are visual images to be contemplated as a devotion for people who could not travel to the Holy Land itself.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS.

The Fourteen stations of the Cross are:

1. Jesus is condemned to death.
2. Jesus is given His cross.
3. Jesus falls the first time.
4. Jesus meets His mother.
5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross.
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
7. Jesus falls the second time.
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
9. Jesus falls the third time.
10. Jesus is stripped of His garments.
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross.
12. Jesus dies on the Cross-the Crucifixion.
13. Jesus' body is taken down from the Cross.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Since the time when the Church established the 'fourteen Stations', it has become an important Lenten devotion as people pray the Stations at the fourteen images around the walls in the church. The Stations of the Cross are traditionally held in most Churches during Lent on Fridays, as Jesus died on a Friday, and is a day of penance. The Stations of the Cross can either be an individual or community devotion.

STRUCTURE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS.

The structure of the Stations of the Cross is as follows:

1. Opening Hymn (optional) 

2. Opening Prayer.

3. At each Station the priest/leader or individual genuflects as he/she says'

'We adore You O Christ and praise You,

because of Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world'

4. Meditation on each Station.

5. Reflective silence.

6. Our Father/ Hail Mary/Glory Be.

7. It is traditional to remain in silent prayer for an extra period of time when the twelfth Station is reached-the Crucifixion.

8.After the 14 Stations journey around the church has been concluded,  the concluding prayer is usually said at the foot of the sanctuary by the priest/leader or individual.

9.Recessional Hymn (optional).

Traditionally, when the Stations of the Cross were said in community, the priest or leader walked around the Church, whilst the congregation stood in their pews and turned towards the Station being visited.  In recent times, some parishes use the chant 'Jesus remember me' (Taize) or another similar chant as they walk from one Station to another. This can enhance the feeling of walking in the steps of Jesus and being in union with Him in His pain filled journey.  

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

However, from a practical viewpoint, the Stations of the Cross need to be user-friendly to all the congregation.  I am acutely aware of this as my mother is elderly. Walking from one station to another is out of the question for her, and yet sitting her in the seat whilst the congregation walk the journey causes her to feel disconnected from it.  She was always a 'regular' at the Stations for most of her life, but now in her twilight years as her physical health fails, sadly she does not want to attend because she feels left out.

Although it is preferable to attend the Stations of the Cross in a parish/community environment, where the images of the Stations of the Cross are present, the Stations are able to said prayerfully at home, in a train or at the pilgrim places such as the Outdoor Stations available in most countries. Some form of penance is expected to be achieved not only in Lent but on the Day of Penance on every Friday during the year.  Catholics often choose to say the Stations of the Cross as their form of penance on these Fridays.

Just as Jesus died to save us all, the Stations of the Cross are available to all who wish to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Here are a selection of Stations of the Cross aids that might interest you. From this selection you will see that the Stations of the Cross are indeed available to all, whether it be in printed form, audio, DVD or visual.

May your journey of the Stations of the Cross bring you closer to Christ during this Lent.