Stations of the Cross
Complete guide to both forms of the Via Crucis: the 14 Traditional Stations and the 14 Scriptural Stations introduced by Pope St. John Paul II in 1991. Each station includes a meditation, scripture reference, versicle and response, and closing prayer.
The Stations of the Cross — also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis — is one of the most beloved devotions in the Catholic Church. By meditating on fourteen moments from Christ's Passion, from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his burial in the tomb, the faithful walk spiritually alongside Jesus on his final journey. This devotion has been prayed by Catholics for centuries, connecting believers across the world to the physical path that Jesus walked through the streets of Jerusalem to Calvary.
The origins of the Stations lie in the practice of Christian pilgrims visiting Jerusalem and walking the actual route Jesus took from Pilate's judgment hall to Golgotha. The Franciscan Order, which received custody of the holy sites in the fourteenth century, popularized the devotion throughout Europe by erecting images along the walls of their churches. The present set of fourteen stations was standardized by Pope Clement XII in 1731, who also granted indulgences to those who prayed them devoutly, and was fixed in its current form for the universal Church by 1862.
A plenary indulgence is granted by the Church to the faithful who devoutly pray the Stations while moving from station to station, provided the usual conditions are met: sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, and complete detachment from all sin. In a communal service, at least the leader must move between stations while the faithful follow the meditations.
14 Traditional Stations
Standardized by Pope Clement XII in 1731. Displayed in nearly every Catholic church in the world.
Begin the Traditional Stations →- 1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death
- 2. Jesus Takes Up His Cross
- 3. Jesus Falls the First Time
- 4. Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother
- 5. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
- 6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
- 7. Jesus Falls the Second Time
- 8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
- 9. Jesus Falls the Third Time
- 10. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
- 11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
- 12. Jesus Dies on the Cross
- 13. Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
- 14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
14 Scriptural Stations
Introduced by Pope St. John Paul II at the Colosseum, Rome, Good Friday 1991. Every station drawn from the Gospels.
Begin the Scriptural Stations →- 1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
- 2. Jesus Is Betrayed by Judas and Arrested
- 3. Jesus Is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
- 4. Jesus Is Denied by Peter
- 5. Jesus Is Judged by Pilate
- 6. Jesus Is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
- 7. Jesus Takes Up His Cross
- 8. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
- 9. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
- 10. Jesus Is Crucified
- 11. Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief
- 12. Jesus Entrusts Mary and the Beloved Disciple to Each Other
- 13. Jesus Dies on the Cross
- 14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 14 Stations of the Cross?
The 14 traditional Stations follow Jesus from his condemnation by Pilate to his burial: (1) condemned to death, (2) takes up his cross, (3) falls the first time, (4) meets his mother, (5) Simon of Cyrene helps carry the cross, (6) Veronica wipes his face, (7) falls the second time, (8) meets the women of Jerusalem, (9) falls the third time, (10) stripped of his garments, (11) nailed to the cross, (12) dies on the cross, (13) taken down from the cross, (14) laid in the tomb.
What are the Scriptural Stations of the Cross?
The Scriptural Stations of the Cross were introduced by Pope St. John Paul II at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday, March 29, 1991. All 14 stations are drawn directly from events recorded in the Gospels, replacing traditional stations not explicitly mentioned in Scripture with Gospel passages.
When are the Stations of the Cross prayed?
Most commonly on Fridays during Lent, especially Good Friday. Many parishes offer communal Stations on Friday evenings throughout Lent. The Stations may also be prayed at any time of year, particularly on Fridays (the traditional day of Catholic penance).
Is there an indulgence for praying the Stations?
Yes. The Church grants a plenary indulgence to the faithful who devoutly pray the Stations of the Cross while moving from station to station before legitimately erected stations, provided the usual conditions are met: sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, and complete detachment from all sin. In a communal service, at least the leader must move between stations.
Related Devotions
Primary Sources