Stations of the Cross

When you pray Stations of the Cross you are tracing the footsteps of Christ, in his journey from being condemned to death to his resurrection.

Since Stations of the Cross was formalised in the earliest times, the number of stations has varied. It peaked to 36 stations at one point. The 36 stations recalled the various 'milestones' along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) of Christ's last journey. The church, in the sixteenth century, approved and accepted fourteen stations. The Second Vatican Council since then has added the fifteenth station, 'The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead'. This was done in order to for us to identify why the crucifixion was necessary. The crucifixion is pointless without the resurrection, but the resurrection is pointless with out the crucifixion.

Stations of the Cross can be made in formal groups, informal groups or alone. There is no set way to pray the Stations of the Cross, we can follow pre-written text or meditate on selected readings or allow the Holy Spirit to come among us and speak to us. Allow yourself time to reflect upon each of the stations.

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