The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, commemorate Jesus's passion and death on the cross. There are 14 stations that each depict the primary scenes of Jesus’ suffering and death throughout his journey to Calvary, usually through sacred art, prayers, and reflections. The practice began as pious pilgrims traced his path through Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa.
Later, for the many who wanted to pass along the same route, but could not make the trip to Jerusalem, a practice developed that eventually took the form of the fourteen stations currently found in almost every church throughout the world.
When meditating on the Stations of the Cross, the celebrant—or the faithful individually—move from station to station as they recall the specific events along the Way of the Cross. This usually involves reading passages from Scripture and meditations on the events, and praying various prayers, often accompanied by genuflections. A very common prayer that is prayed after each station during the Stations of the Cross came from St. Francis himself:
"We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world."
As Pilate condemned him, Jesus looked in his eyes and quietly loved him (Mark 15:3-5). Even as he is forsaken by all others, he remains quiet, calm, and confident in the face of his accusers. His mission is to sacrifice his life in love for all who will receive him.
As religious leaders spat on him, Jesus picked up his cross to die for them (Matthew 26:66-68; John 19:17). Following his scourging, Jesus is bruised and bleeding, almost to the point of death. He begins the crushing walk through Jerusalem, staggering under the weight of the cross. Yet Jesus has an unfailing source of joy.
As Jesus is carrying his cross, he falls under the weight of it and needs help to carry it to Golgotha (Mark 15:21-22). The one who is fully God is also fully man. Over his journey, he repeatedly suffers from the frailty of humanity. He can sympathize with our weaknesses.
As his mother Mary suffered from a sword piercing her soul, he drew close to her (Luke 2:34-35). It is likely that Mary follows along close to her precious son, Jesus, watching as he carries his cross. We know she is a witness at the foot of the cross (John 19:25-27). Mary has to accept that she can’t take away Jesus’ pain. It is so hard to witness the suffering of those we love, unable to help.
Simon is pulled out of the crowd, away from his sons, and commanded to carry Jesus’ heavy cross. Through this experience, Jesus is a minister of mercy to him. His reluctant identification with the suffering of Jesus will ultimately result in Simon and his sons putting their trust in Jesus (Mark 15:21, Romans 16:13).
Jesus taught his disciples, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). In this ancient Christian legend, a woman named Veronica encounters Jesus as he carries his cross and gives him a cloth to wipe his face of blood and sweat. Through her simple act of kindness, Christ is revealed to us. We see his loving face in her service.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus being led like a lamb to the slaughter and healing us by his wounds (Isaiah 53:4-5, 7). According to the ancient tradition, Jesus falls under the weight of his cross multiple times. This can be seen as a symbol of how Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy by bearing our sin and sickness.
Paul writes about Jesus being made in human likeness and humbling himself to undergo death, specifically, death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8). According to the ancient tradition of The Stations, Jesus falls again and again as he struggles to bear the cross. Through his falling, we contemplate Jesus’ human limitations and the weight of his cross.
As soldiers stripped off Jesus’ clothes, abused him, and crucified him, he forgave them over and over (Matthew 27:27-31; Luke 23:34-35). Many of us have suffered mistreatment and abuse. We have a Savior who suffers as we have, enduring abuse far greater, and his divine empathy and mercy bleeds out to minister personal healing to us.
As the two thieves hurled insults at Jesus from their crosses next to his, he offered them Paradise (Luke 23:39-43). Jesus’ suffering is infinitely worse than the two thieves, because he is also bearing our sin. Yet he still extends compassion and forgiveness to them along with all of his other abusers.
After Jesus breathed his last and committed his spirit into the Father’s hands, he dies. Many witnesses react to his death, and his body is taken down and buried. (Luke 23:44-55). His final moments on earth lead the Centurion to praise God and wonder at Jesus’ righteousness.
Joseph, a member of the Council who had not supported the decision to crucify Jesus, requests his body from Pilate and buries him in a tomb (Luke 23:50-55). Jesus’ followers wish to honor him in this final act of service in preparing his body and laying it to rest.