:: Stations of the Cross ::

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With the Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) we recall important final steps in the Passion of Jesus Christ, and seek to walk with Him on His Way to Calvary. Tradition holds that the first person to do so might have been the Blessed Mother, who could be seen walking through Jerusalem along the route her Son took towards his Death, stopping at various places along the way and kneeling.

Blessed Brother Andre Bessette, associated with thousands of miraculous cures and devotion to Saint Joseph, including the building of the massive Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, the Lourdes of North America, also had a deep devotion to Our Lord's Passion. He could be seen praying the Stations of the Cross regularly, often late at night after he had completed his other extensive activities.

Traditionally there have been fourteen Stations observed, culminating in Jesus being placed in the Holy Sepulchre. Now fifteen are sometimes observed, with the fifteenth being Jesus Rises from the Dead. When following the Stations in a church, one faces and genuflects before the Tabernacle for the fifteenth.

While praying the Stations of the Cross clearly is associated with Lent, one may pray them even more regularly, as Blessed Brother Andre did.

The following is a condensed Way of the Cross. Please check back for the addition of prayers, Scripture quotes, and images, and ways to order Stations of the Cross for your home, as the author did.

I. Jesus is Condemned to Death

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

II. Jesus Takes Up His Cross

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

III. Jesus Falls the First Time

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

IV. Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

V. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

VI. Veronica Wipes the Holy Face of Jesus

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

VII. Jesus Falls the Second Time

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

VIII. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

IX. Jesus Falls the Third Time

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

X. Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

XI. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

XII. Jesus Dies on the Cross

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

XIII. Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

XIV. Jesus is Placed in the Sepulchre

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

XV. Jesus Rises from the Dead

We adore you O Christ and we praise You,
because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world.

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Steven C. Welsh, Editor and Contributor
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