Catholic Devotions:the Stations Of The Cross

Catholic Devotions The Stations of the Cross

Mr. Pablo Cuadra Religion Class

What are the stations of the Cross? • The stations of the Cross are 14 representations of the Passion of Christ and Jesus’ final moments culminating in his crucifixion and death. • The stations of the cross play an integral role in Catholic devotion specially during the Holy Season of Lent.

What other names are used to describe the stations of the Cross? • The stations of the Cross are also known as: Via Crucis Way of the Cross The way Via Dolorosa Way of Sorrows

What Christian Traditions practice the way of the Cross? • This Catholic devotion has become a popular devotion for many other Christian denominations . • Among the Christian denominations that use this devotion are: Anglicans, Methodist, Episcopalians, and Lutherans.

What is the appropriate time to pray the Stations of the Cross? •

As a personal devotion the stations of the cross can be prayed at any time during the year.

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The importance of this devotion is particularly highlighted during the liturgical season of Lent.

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The Church’s tradition has been to pray this devotion during all Fridays of Lent, specially on Good Friday.

Are the stations of the Cross Sacramentals? • The stations of the cross are considered sacramentals. • Sacramentals are Holy objects or actions that predispose us to grace. Other examples of sacramentals are: Rosary, prayers, blessings, genuflections, among others. • Sacramentals help us develop an attitude of prayer, faith, holiness, and devotion.

What is the purpose of the Stations of the Cross? • The stations of the Cross or Via Crucis help us make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer to the most important scenes of Christ’s suffering and death also known as the Passion of Christ.

What are the Traditional 14 Stations of the Cross? • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jesus is condemned to death Jesus takes up his cross Jesus falls the first time Jesus meets his mother Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross Veronica Wipes the face of Jesus Jesus falls a second time Jesus comfort the Women Jesus falls a third time Jesus is stripped Jesus is nailed to the Cross Jesus dies on the Cross Jesus is taken down from the cross Jesus is buried.

What is the source for the Stations of the Cross? •

The stations of the cross are drawn from scripture and tradition.

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Besides the traditional stations of the Cross there are other versions that can be used as alternate choices during Lent.

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For instance, Pope John Paul II developed a version of the Stations of the Cross that is based completely on the Scriptures.

John Paul II’s Stations of the Cross •

On Good Friday 1991 The Pope celebrated the following stations:

9. Jesus meet with the women of Jerusalem Luke 23: 27-31

1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 25:36-41

10. Jesus is crucified Luke 23: 33-34

2. Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested. Mark 14: 43-46 3. Jesus condemned by the Sanhedrin. Luke 22: 66-71 4. Jesus is denied by Peter. Matthew 26: 69-75 5. Jesus is Judge by Pilate Mark 15: 1-5, 15 6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns. John 19: 1-3 7. Jesus is made to carry his cross. John 19:6, 15-17 8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus. Mark 15:21

11. Jesus promises paradise to the thief Luke 23: 39-43 12. Jesus speaks to his mother and disciple John 19: 25-27 13. Jesus dies Luke 23: 44-46 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb Matthew 27: 57-60

Did you know? •

The Holy Father John Paul II led the Stations of the cross every year on Good Friday at the Roman Colosseum where many Christians were martyred for their faith in Christ.

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The Pope himself carried the cross for the stations until his illness did not allow him to do so. Others carried the cross for him while he presided from a stage.

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Pope Benedict XVI continues to lead the Via Crucis on Good Fridays.

Who can lead the stations of the Cross? • The stations of the Cross can be lead by an ordain minister like a priest or a deacon or by a layperson.

Where can one find the Stations of the Cross? • The stations of the cross are usually found on the walls of any Catholic Church or oratory (chapel). • They can be found as paintings or carved images made out of metal, ceramic or wood.

What is the Via Dolorosa? •

The Via Dolorosa or sorrowful way is the route tradition holds was taken by Jesus toward his crucifixion and death at Golgotha or place of the skull also known as Calvary.

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Every day Catholics and Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land process in large groups praying the stations of the Cross on the Via dolorosa.

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Did you know? The Franciscan order has been entrusted with the protection of the Holy places and shrines in the Holy Land

• Procession at Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

Did you know? • Each year the Holy Father invites a different persons to compose the meditations for the stations of the cross that are going to be recited during the Via Crucis on Good Friday.

When were the stations of the Cross developed? •

This devotion arose during the Crusades when the knights and pilgrims began to follow the route of Christ's way to Calvary in the Holy Land.

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This devotion was made popular in Europe by the Franciscan order in the 14th and 15th centuries.

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Eventually, the Stations of the Cross became an important instructional tool, inspiring some of the greatest examples of medieval Christian art.

How do we pray the Stations of the Cross? •

There is not one particular way of praying the stations of the cross. However, most devotionals have clear instructions on how to pray the stations. • The following is just an example of one of the ways one may pray the Stations of the cross: • •

1. After announcing each station, genuflect and say: V .We adore you O Christ and we praise you, R. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

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2. Then you can read an scripture passage connected to this station, followed by a short meditation or reflection on the station.

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3. Conclude with a prayer and continue to the next station.

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4. A traditional song like Stabat Mater Dolorosa or any appropriate refrain can be sung as the procession continues to the next station.

Why some parishes have a 15th station? • Many parishes includes a 15th station representing the Resurrection of our Lord. To highlight the unity of the Paschal mystery: Life, death, and resurrection of our Lord.

What is the Spiritual theme found in the stations of the Cross? •

Praying the stations of the cross help us reflect and experience on the mystery of salvific suffering.

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Christ the suffering servant becomes in his suffering solidarious with those who are oppressed by pain, injustice and indifference and those who are oppressed by pain, injustice and indifference can identify with and draw hope from the suffering of the savior.

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In a sense, the way of the cross reminds us that we are not alone in our own sorrowful journey; Christ our savior is walking along with us giving us the strength to face of our pain, fears and disappointments, reminding us every step of the way of the future glory that awaits those who rely on God as their hope and salvation.

How to benefit from this devotion? •

Pray this devotion with your family or with your friends.

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Lent is not the only time to pray with the stations. Any day of the week can be an opportunity to reflect on Christ’s passion.

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Practice visualization as you pray and recall the stations of the cross. Imagine what is taking place and place yourself in the midst of the story.

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Finally, pay attention to the insights, thoughts, feelings God places in your mind and heart as you pray and meditate on the Lord’s passion.

Isaiah 53 “The suffering Servant” "He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our grieves and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all".

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