The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa (Sorrowful Way), is a popular Lenten devotion. Many parishes join as a group and pray the Stations of the Cross on the Friday's of Lent to call to mind the Passion of Christ, that is, the journey Jesus took from his condemnation to his death.

At each station we use our senses and our imagination to reflect prayerfully upon Jesus’ suffering, Death, and Resurrection, and to simply experience the visual images to reflect on Christ’s love for us.
 

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death.

Pontius Pilate condemns Jesus to death.

2. Jesus Takes Up His Cross.

Jesus willingly accepts and patiently bears his cross.

3. Jesus Falls the First Time.

Weakened by torments and by loss of blood, Jesus falls beneath his cross.

4. Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother.

Jesus meets his mother, Mary, who is filled with grief.

5. Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross.

Soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross.

6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus.

Veronica steps through the crowd to wipe the face of Jesus.

7. Jesus Falls the Second Time.

Jesus falls beneath the weight of the cross a second time.

8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem.

Jesus tells the women to weep not for him but for themselves and for their children.

9. Jesus Falls the Third Time.

Weakened almost to the point of death, Jesus falls a third time.



 

10. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments.

The soldiers strip Jesus of his garments, treating him as a common criminal.



 

11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross.

Jesus’ hands and feet are nailed to the cross.



 

12. Jesus Dies on the Cross.

After suffering greatly on the cross, Jesus bows his head and dies.



 

13. Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross.

The lifeless body of Jesus is tenderly placed in the arms of Mary, his mother.



 

14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb.

Jesus’ disciples place his body in the tomb.






The closing prayer—sometimes included as a 15th station—reflects on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.