The Stations of the Cross is one of the most simple, yet powerful, ways to prayerfully walk alongside Jesus and encounter him like never before. There are fourteen Stations of the Cross. Each is an invitation to contemplate and experience a pivotal moment from Jesus' sentencing to his death to his burial.

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH: PILATE DELIVERS JESUS INTO THE HANDS OF HIS ENEMIES, CHOOSING TO CONDEMN THE INNOCENT AND TO OFFEND GOD IN ORDER NOT TO DISPLEASE MEN. DO I RESIST HUMAN RESPECT?

JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS: JESUS CHRIST WILLINGLY STRETCHES HIS BLEEDING ARMS AND EMBRACES THE CROSS. THOUGH CROWNED AND SCOURGED, HE JOYFUL CARRIES THE CROSS UPON HIS BRUISED SHOULDERS.

JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME: WEAKENED, EXHAUSTED BERATED, AND RIDICULED, JESUS FALLS. THE CROSS WAS TO HIM LIGHT AND SWEET, BUT OUR SINS ARE GALLING AND HEAVY BURDEN THAT OPPRESSES HIM.

JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER: OUR SORROWFUL MOTHER PAINFULLY BEHELD HER BELOVED SON. HOW SHE DESIRED TO DIE IN HIS PLACE, OR AT LEAST WITH HIM. IMPLORE HER TO ASSIST YOU AT THE HOUR OF DEATH.

SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS: SIMON WAS FIRST COMPELLED, BUT THEN BECAME MOST WILLING, TO HELP JESUS. OUR SAVIOR INVITES YOU TO CARRY THE CROSS, BUT YOU DECLINE. YET TO ONE WHO LOVES, SUFFERING IS SWEET.

VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS: MOVED BY DEVOTION AND COMPASSION, VERONICA PRESENTS HER VEIL TO JESUS. HE IMPRINTS ON IT HIS HOLY COUNTENANCE. WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO THE LORD, FOR ALL HE HATH RENDERED UNTO ME.

JESUS FALLS FOR THE SECOND TIME: THE CRUEL EXCUTIONERS DO NOT PERMIT JESUS ANY REST. THEY STRIKE AND URGE HIM ONWARD. THIS MIRRORS THE FREQUENT REPETITION OF OUR SINS. WITNESSING THIS, SHALL I CONTINUE TO SIN?

JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM: “WEEP NOT OVER ME; BUT FOR YOURSELVES AND YOUR CHILDREN.” WE TOO, SHOULD WEEP, FOR THERE IS NOTHING MORE PLEASING TO GOD OR MORE PROFITABLE FOR US THAN TEARS SHED FROM CONTRITION FOR OUR SINS.

JESUS FALLS FOR THE THIRD TIME: WHAT A FEARFUL AND OPPRESSIVE BURDEN OUR SINS ARE, TO HAVE CAUSED JESUS TO FALL EXHAUSTED AT THE FOOT OF CALVARY! HIS LOVE FOR US, HOWEVER, IS NOT DIMINISHED OR EXTINGUISHED.

JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS: ALL OF JESUS’ WOUNDS ARE REOPENED AS HE IS CRUELLY DESPOILED OF GARMENTS. HE WOULD DIE POSSESSING NOTHING. FOR LOVE OF HIM, LAY ASIDE EVIL DESIRES AND SINFUL INCLINATIONS.

JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS: CHRIST THE KING IS VIOLENTLY THROWN UPON THE THE CROSS AND NAILED THERETO. IN SUCH EXCRUCIATING PAINS HE REMAINED SILENT AND PATIENT. HOW DO I ACT IN SUFFERINGS AND TROUBLES?

JESUS IS RAISED UPON THE CROSS AND DIES: BEHOLD JESUS CRUCIFED! BEHOLD HIS WOUNDS. HIS ENTIRE APPEARANCE BETOKENS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS. THE SON OF GOD DIES THAT YOU MAY LIVE AND BE DELIVERED FROM EVERLASTING DEATH!

JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS: IN DEATH, AS IN LIFE, JESUS RESTED IN THE ARMS OF HIS DIVINE MOTHER. HER IMMACULATE HEART IS AN OCEAN OF SORROWS. PERSEVERE IN YOUR RESOLUTIONS AND DO NOT PART FROM THE CROSS.

JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHRE: JESUS, WHO HAD NOWHERE TO REST HIS HEAD, NOW EVEN AT DEATH LIES IN A STRANGER’S TOMB. YOU WHO ARE SO ATTACHED TO THIS WORLD, HENCEFORTH DESPISE IT, THAT YOU MAY NOT PERISH WITH IT.