One of the most familiar prayers of Lent is the Stations of the Cross, also called the Via Dolorosa or the Via Crucis.  The contemporary universally accepted fourteen Stations embody the final journey through the crucifixion.  Such points of meditation evolved over the centuries, first by pilgrims to Jerusalem and spread throughout Europe came chiefly by the Franciscans who became caretakers of the shrines in Jerusalem in 1342. The point of the Stations is a personal pilgrimage of prayer for those of us who may never visit Jerusalem.

The now-traditional order of the Stations is: 

(1) Jesus is condemned to death,  Mt 27.24-26, Mk 15.15, Lk 23.24-25, Jn 19.16

(2) Jesus takes up the cross,  Mt 27.31b-32, Mk 15:20b-21, Jn 19.17a

(3) Jesus falls the first time,

(4) Jesus meets his mother,

(5) Simon of Cyrene carries the cross of Jesus, Mt 27.32, Mk 15.21, Lk 23.26

(6) Veronica wipes the face of Jesus,

(7) Jesus falls a second time,

(8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem,  Lk 23.27-31

(9) Jesus falls a third time,

(10) They strip Jesus of his clothing

(11) Jesus is nailed to the cross Mt 27.35, Mk 15.24, Lk 23.33, Jn 19.18

(12) Jesus dies on the cross  Mt 27.50, Mk 15.37, Lk 23.46, Jn 19.30

(13) Jesus is taken down from the cross Mt 27.59, Mk 15.46, Lk 23.53, Jn 19.40

(14) Jesus is buried in the tomb. Mt 27.60, Mk 15.46, Lk 23.53, Jn 19.41-42

St. Paul has such stations in two places: (1) On the east and west walls are depictions of the stations featuring contemporary situations that reflect the same kind of moment as Jesus’ passion journey; these photos came from the Maryknoll missionaries.  (2) A metal depiction of fifteen stations is on the south/back wall of the church [the 15th station is the resurrection]. 

There are different kinds of piety by which persons approach the Stations of the Cross.  One is acknowledging how human sin and my particular sins have caused Jesus’ suffering and death.  Another is to recognizing how deep is the passionate love of God and Christ to endure even this kind of grotesque death for the sake of me/us and all humankind.  Some interpret the Stations as a shining example of the sinful acts of cruelty of any powerful human institution (e.g., empire, government, corporation) which inevitably harm and demean persons, whom Jesus depicts.  Which ever approach one takes, if gratitude for unearned grace and salvation is not a part of one’s meditation, then the Stations have failed to assist the praying pilgrim.

Two common texts of the Stations that are quite beautiful are the refrain used after naming the station: “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by you holy cross you have redeemed the world.”  What a succinct and profound creed.  The other is the Stabat Mater, a poem song (text ca. 13th century, melody 1661).  This truly is a reflective prayer with Mary at the foot of the cross.

One can pray the Stations alone or with others.  In either case, it is cause for us to review our life, take stock of what harms and destroys, and seek in humility to embrace the sacrifices any life—my life—presents to me with the grace of Christ Crucified.