Stations of the Cross

praying at the stations of the cross


There are 14 Stations of the Cross in every Catholic Church. At each station there is a painting or statue depicting Jesus Christ as He is led to His crucifixion and death.

During the time of the crusades (1095-1270), pilgrims to the Holy Land followed the path of Jesus to Calvary. After the Moslems captured the Holy Land, the Way of the Cross... held outdoors... became a substitute pilgrimage throughout Europe.

In the l8th century Stations were allowed inside churches. Eventually, fourteen Stations became a familiar feature in Catholic churches.

The Way of the Cross makes us more aware of Christ's sufferings and of His great love for us.

Praying the Stations of the Cross

It's not necessary to pray the stations in church... you can follow the stations shown below.

These paintings can be seen at the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Canada

Start at the first station. Make the sign of the Cross. Each of the 14 different paintings can be used to help us meditate on Christ's Passion. They serve as powerful reminders of how much Jesus suffered and how deeply He loved each one of us.

Before each station you may say:

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross,
you have redeemed the world.

After each station you may say an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...


    jesus condemned to death

  1. Jesus stands before Pilate and is condemned to death


    jesus made to carry his cross

  2. Jesus carries His heavy wooden cross




    Jesus falls the first time

  3. Jesus falls the first time under the Cross



    Jesus meets His Mother

  4. Jesus carrying His Cross meets His Mother


    Jesus is helped by Simon the Cyrenian

  5. Jesus is helped by Simon the Cyrenian


    Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

  6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus



    Jesus falls the second time

  7. Jesus falls the second time


    Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem

  8. Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem


    Jesus falls the third time

  9. Jesus falls the third time


    Jesus is stripped of His garments

  10. Jesus is stripped of His garments


    Jesus is nailed to the Cross

  11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross


    Jesus dies on the Cross

  12. Jesus dies on the Cross


    jesus taken down from the cross

  13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross




    jesus laid in the sepulcher
  14. Jesus is laid in the borrowed tomb

     







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