The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, is a traditional devotion that commemorates the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. The devotion consists of a series of 14 images, or “stations,” that depict the events of Christ’s journey from his condemnation to his burial.
Here are the 14 stations of the Cross and a brief description of each:
- Jesus is condemned to death: Pilate condemns Jesus to be crucified.
- Jesus takes up his cross: Jesus is given his cross to carry.
- Jesus falls the first time: Jesus stumbles and falls under the weight of the cross.
- Jesus meets his mother: Jesus meets his mother, Mary, on the way to Calvary.
- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross: Simon of Cyrene is compelled to help Jesus carry the cross.
- Veronica wipes the face of Jesus: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus with a cloth.
- Jesus falls the second time: Jesus falls again under the weight of the cross.
- Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem: Jesus meets a group of women and speaks to them.
- Jesus falls the third time: Jesus falls a third time under the weight of the cross.
- Jesus is stripped of his garments: Jesus is stripped of his clothes and left naked.
- Jesus is nailed to the cross: Jesus is nailed to the cross and crucified.
- Jesus dies on the cross: Jesus dies on the cross and his body is taken down.
- Jesus is taken down from the cross: Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross and placed in the arms of his mother.
- Jesus is laid in the tomb: Jesus’ body is laid in the tomb and the tomb is sealed.
The Stations of the Cross is a powerful devotion that invites us to meditate on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our salvation. It is a way to deepen our faith and our appreciation for the love that God has shown us through His Son, and to renew our commitment to following Christ in our daily lives.
