:: Stations of the Cross ::
click here to advance to the StationsWith 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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