Prayer: The Stations of the Cross

Our Lenten Practices: Prayer

During the season of Lent, Holy Mother Church asks us to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer, to practicing self-control through fasting, and to serving by giving alms. Traditionally, we seek the Lord in prayer during this time of year in a special way through the Stations of the Cross weekly and by praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary daily. In addition, we have days of fasting and abstinence throughout the entire year, but most especially during Lent (Code of Canon Law 1249-1253). And finally, the giving of alms is one way we share God's gifts, not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents to help those in need.

The key to fruitful observance of these traditions is to recognize their link to true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. Every day through prayer, fasting, and charity we begin again. We become more like Christ. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you.” (1 Cor. 11:1-2)

Last week our focus was on fasting and this week we turn our attention to prayer. As we mentioned above, we seek the Lord in prayer during this Lenten season in a special way through the Stations of the Cross. But what are the stations? What is the history of the stations? And how do you pray the stations?

What are the Stations of the Cross?

The Stations of the Cross follow the Biblical path of Jesus from his trial with Pontius Pilate all the way to his death and burial in the tomb. There are 14 stations that are typically located inside Catholic churches; these stations might be pictures hanging on the wall, painted scenes on stained glass windows, or statues like what we have in our parish. The 14 stations depict the following scenes:

Station 1 – Jesus is condemned to death
Station 2 – Jesus is made to carry his Cross
Station 3 – Jesus falls the first time
Station 4 – Jesus meets his Blessed Mother
Station 5 – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus
Station 6 – Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Station 7 – Jesus falls the second time
Station 8 – Jesus speaks to the women
Station 9 – Jesus falls the third time
Station 10 – Jesus is stripped of his garments
Station 11 – Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Station 12 – Jesus dies on the Cross
Station 13 – Jesus is taken down from the Cross
Station 14 – Jesus is laid in the tomb

What is the history of the Stations of the Cross?

Tradition holds that our Blessed Mother Mary and the 12 Apostles visited the actual scenes of the stations daily after the death of Jesus. Then, after Constantine legalized Christianity in the year 312, pilgrims from all over the world traveled to see these holy places. St. Jerome, living in Bethlehem in the late 300s, personally attested to the crowds of pilgrims who would visit and follow the Stations of the Cross. These pilgrims would literally trace the very steps that Jesus took from his trial before Pontius Pilate all the way to Calvary where he was crucified.

From the 300s up to the 700s an interest developed in the Catholic Church to “reproduce” these holy places in other areas of the world so pilgrims who could not actually travel to the Holy Land could still practice this devotion to Jesus. Furthermore, the Muslim conquest of Palestine in the 7 ^th century up through the Crusades (1096-1291) made travel to the Holy Land extremely dangerous for Catholics. So the “reproductions” of these holy places began to increase even more. Then, in 1342, the Franciscans were appointed as guardians of the shrines in the Holy Land.

As Muslim oppression continued to worsen in the Holy Land, Pope Clement XII granted the right to erect the 14 stations in all the Catholic Churches throughout the world starting in 1731. These are the same 14 stations we have today, and we can walk into virtually any Catholic Church anywhere in the world and see these.

How do we pray the Stations of the Cross?

Every Friday throughout Lent our parish prays the Stations of the Cross. These are typically offered at 12:45 pm, 1:30 pm, and 7 pm. Also, on April 7 ^th our school 8 ^th graders will present the Living Stations of the Cross at 9 am, 10:30 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm in the Noble Center. And, on Good Friday, April 10 ^th, at 8 am join Bishop Brennan in the annual Walking Stations of the Cross starting at St. Joseph Cathedral. All are great opportunities to come and learn how to pray the stations.

So this year for Lent, invite someone you know to join you in praying the Stations of the Cross. This person could be a non-practicing Catholic, a Protestant family member or friend, or even someone who practices no religion at all. And if you bring them with you to the Stations of the Cross at 7pm, then come early and go to the fish fry as well!

“We are convinced that the Way of the Cross of the Son of God was not simply a journey to the place of execution. We believe that every step of the Condemned Christ, every action and every word, as well as everything felt and done by those who took part in this tragic drama, continues to speak to us.” – Pope John Paul II