Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St. Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period.
It may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday and on Friday evenings during Lent.
PRAYERS and MEDITATIONS taken from the VATICAN web page www.vatican.va
The Stations are a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:
I – Jesus is condemned to death
II – Jesus is given his cross
III – Jesus falls the first time
IV – Jesus meets His Mother
V – Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
VI – Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
VII – Jesus falls the second time
VIII – Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
IX – Jesus falls the third time
X – Jesus is stripped off His garments
XI – Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
XII – Jesus dies on the cross
XIII – Jesus’ body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
IV – Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.
