Station of the Cross ( Via Crucis )

Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross), refers to 14 images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. The stations grew out of imitations of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem which is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary.

Commonly, the 14 images will be arranged in numbered order along a path and the faithful travel from image to image, in order, stopping at each station to say the selected prayers and reflections. This will be done individually or in a procession most commonly during Lent, especially on Good Friday, in a spirit of reparation for the sufferings and insults that Jesus endured during his passion.

It has become one of the most popular devotions and the stations can be found in many Western Christian churches, including Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic.

Station 1 – Jesus is Condemned to Death

( Matthew 27:27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23-1-25, John 18:28-19:16 )

Station 2 – Jesus Carries His Cross

( Matthew 27:27:27-31, Mark 15:20, John 19:17 )

Station 3 – Jesus Falls the First Time

Station 4 – Jesus Meets His Mother

Station 5 – Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

( Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26 )

Station 6 – Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Station 7 – Jesus Falls the Second Time

Station 8 – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

( Luke 23:27 )

Station 9 – Jesus Falls the Third Time

Station 10 – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

( Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23 )

Station 11 – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

( Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:25, Luke 23:33, John 19:23  )

Station 12 – Jesus Dies on the Cross

( Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46, John 19:30 )

Station 13 – Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

Station 14 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

( Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-41 )