Stations of the Cross - Catholic Info

The 14 traditional stations of the cross

*Adapted from St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Way of the Cross, Purchase here
*Images by Gaetano Previati (1852-1920), Displayed some years in St. Peter’s Basilica for Lent/Easter, more info here

1) Jesus is condemned to death

Consideration
After suffering the agony in the garden, and other grave sufferings like the scourging and the crowning with thorns, Pilate condemns Jesus to death, even though he finds no guilt in him.

2) Jesus carries His cross

Consideration
Jesus lovingly and willingly carries His cross that He knows will lead to His death

3) Jesus falls the first time

Consideration
After gravely traumatic and bloody torture, like the scourging at the pillar, and the physical abuse leading up to the crowning with thorns, Jesus falls for the first time under the heavy wooden cross.

4) Jesus meets His mother

Consideration
Jesus and His mother meet. Though most humble before God and His will, they keenly feel the sorrow that sin causes.

5) Simon helps Jesus to carry the cross

Consideration
Jesus is already significantly weak, so the Jews, in supreme malicious intent, because they wanted Jesus to die crucified on Mount Calvary and not on the way there, make a bystander Simon carry Jesus’ cross.

6) Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Consideration
A bystander Veronica, seeing Jesus in His terrible suffering, removes her veil and gives it to Him to use; He wipes His face and leaves an image of His face on it.

7) Jesus falls the second time

Consideration
The Lord Jesus falls for a second time.

8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Consideration
The leading women of Jerusalem suffer greatly and weep at the sight of Jesus during His passion; He tells them not to weep for Him, but for their children and those who do not repent.

9) Jesus falls the third time

Consideration
Jesus after much suffering is very weak and falls again.

10) Jesus is stripped of His garments

Consideration
Jesus arrives at Calvary and is stripped of His clothes to prepare for Crucifixion; His scourges were healing stuck to His garments so when they stripped Him they tore his flesh and re-aggravated His wounds.

11) Jesus is nailed to the cross

Consideration
In barbaric fashion, Jesus is nailed to the cross: both hands, and both feet.

12) Jesus dies on the cross

Consideration
After 3 hours agony on the cross, completely worn out by His passion, Jesus bows His head and dies.

13) Jesus is taken down from the cross

Consideration
Joseph of Arimethea, after having asked Pilate for permission, brings Jesus down from the Cross and places Him in the embrace of His mother Mary.

14) Jesus is laid in the tomb

Consideration
Jesus is laid in Joseph’s tomb, a new and unused tomb.