The Way of Sorrows

The Stations of the Cross

A wonderful way of reliving the final  journey of Christ to his death. 

The Stations or the Way of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis, refers to a series of images depicting Our Lord on the day of His suffering and death on the Cross 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.

The object of the stations is to help the Christians faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Suffering and Passion of Jesus. It has become one of the most popular devotions and the stations can be found in many Western Christian Churches

Praying the Stations of the Cross, either at church or at home, provides us with many graces and opportunities to grow in our love of God. In both good times and difficult times, this beautiful devotion is a source of great comfort, for it not only reminds us of all that our Lord has done for us. It reminds us that, even in the trials of life, our Lord is with us, he loves us, and joy awaits us. Lent always ends with Easter.

We follow each station in prayer and reflection

I trust you will walk the Way of the Cross with me through to the Resurrection and the hope and joy for all mankind.

Preparatory Prayer

My Lord Jesus Christ, You made this journey to die for me with love unutterable, and I have so many times unworthily abandoned You; but now I love You with my whole heart, and because I love You, I repent sincerely for ever having offended You. Pardon me, my God, and permit me to accompany You on this journey. You died for love of me; I wish also, my beloved Redeemer, to die for love of You.

My Jesus, I will live and die always united to Thee.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

Reflection of Mary

My Son stood before Pilate as an innocent man. But, throughout his life he entered more and more deeply into the condition of sinful flesh. It was not enough that he was born of a human mother like me. He grew up in obscurity in Nazareth. And, they always judged him there. They always judged that it wasn’t right that he was conceived before Joseph and I were married. Even when he began his public ministry, the religious leaders didn’t accept him. His reflection of God didn’t fit their self-serving picture of God. Finally, his own followers abandoned him. I never imagined he would have to experience solidarity with prisoners beaten and tortured, but he did. I’ll never forget the blood he shed and the pain he experienced at the hands of the Roman guards. Jesus began this journey by becoming one with every powerless person, mocked and made fun of by others. He did nothing that deserves capital punishment, or the abuse he was given.

His “yes” – his surrender to God’s will - ultimately destroyed the power of sin and death. While he was growing up, I told him many times how I had been graced to say “let it be done to me, according to your word.” I never could have imagined that this would be the sword that would ultimately pass through my heart: to watch my Son say Yes to God, so completely and fully, for the salvation of the world.

Now that he is condemned to death, reflect with me on each station of his journey – entering more and more completely into our humanity and death itself. 

Let us ask for God’s grace to be with him and to accompany him on his journey to more fully understand it and be more fully grateful for its gift.