The Stations of the Cross
Walk the Way of the Cross — fourteen steps with Christ, from condemnation to the tomb.
The Stations of the Cross — also called the Way of the Cross, or the Via Crucis — is a devotion that traces the path Jesus walked from His condemnation to His burial. It has been prayed by Christians since the earliest centuries, when pilgrims would walk the actual streets of Jerusalem.
You don't need to be in Jerusalem to pray it. Most Catholic churches have fourteen images or carvings on the walls — the stations — and you walk from one to the next, pausing to meditate at each. You can pray the Stations anywhere, at any time of year, but they are especially beloved during Lent.
You are not just remembering the Passion. You are walking with Him through it.
The Fourteen Stations
Move through each station at your own pace.
Jesus is Condemned to Death
Pilate brings Jesus out and sits in judgment. The crowd cries out for His death. Pilate washes his hands and hands Him over. Jesus accepts the unjust sentence in silence — not because He cannot escape, but because His love for you holds Him there.
How to Pray the Stations
1. At each station, pause and make the Sign of the Cross.
2. Read the Scripture passage and the meditation slowly. Let it sink in.
3. Speak to Jesus in your own words. Tell Him what you see, what you feel, what you need.
4. Move to the next station when you are ready. There is no rush.
Many parishes pray the Stations together on Friday evenings during Lent. You can also pray them alone, at any time, in any church — or here, with this guide.
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