During Lent our Church wants us to remember the great sacrifice Jesus made for us through his suffering and death on a cross. One way we do this is by praying the Way of the Cross, or the Stations of the Cross. It was a popular custom for pilgrims to travel to the Holy Land and walk the same path to Calvary as walked by Jesus. When it became too dangerous to travel to the Holy Land because of civil wars, the practice was modified. Instead of walking the way of Jesus in the Holy Land, Christians would pray the Way of the Cross outdoors near their church.



Today the Church continues to remember Jesus’ passion by praying the Way of the Cross. Many churches have indoor versions of these stations. During services the priest and servers may walk around the church, stopping at each station to lead a meditation and prayer while the congregation prays from the pews. Praying this devotion does not require walking from station to station. There are prayers and meditations for each station. We can also pray the stations in our hearts by reflecting Christ’s passion and death. Individuals or groups can pray by kneeling, standing, sitting, or walking through the stations. Sometimes a fifteenth station is added—Jesus Christ is raised from the dead. By praying the fifteenth station, we are reminded that Christ was triumphant over the power of death at Easter and that the Risen Lord is with us now. (See also Feasts and Seasons–Holy Week–Catechists for "The Stations of the Cross" liturgy.)


Family Activity

	Help your children experience the Stations of the Cross.

	•		Invite them to pray the Way of the Cross with you. Follow the stations, reading the accompanying meditations and prayers in the booklets, or watch a video on this topic together.
	•		Invite each family member to draw a picture of one of the stations. Display the pictures in a place where everyone in the family can see them.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.