Stations of the Cross

Walk with Jesus on His journey to Calvary through 14 stations of prayer and meditation

The Stations of the Cross, or the Way of the Cross, follow Jesus from his condemnation by Pilate to his burial, in fourteen steps of prayer and meditation. Pilgrims in Jerusalem walked this path, and the devotion spread to parishes everywhere so everyone could join. It is most common during Lent, especially on Fridays, but can be prayed any time you need to walk with Christ in your own suffering. Each station pairs a scene with a short prayer. Many parishes pray them together with a cross carried through the church, while individuals can follow them at home with a booklet. Taking the walk slowly teaches compassion for those who are suffering now.

Stations of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Jesus, our adorable Savior, behold us prostrate at Your feet, imploring Your mercy for ourselves and for the souls of all the faithful departed. Deign to apply to us the infinite merits of Your Passion, and grant that, as we accompany You on this sorrowful journey, our hearts may be filled with true sorrow for our sins.

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

HOW TO PRAY THE STATIONS:

1. Begin with the Opening Prayer above
2. At each station, say: "We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world."
3. Read the meditation and prayer for each station
4. Between stations, pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary
5. End with the Closing Prayer

Now begin the stations below ↓

Jesus Is Condemned to Death

Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the crowd shouts "Crucify Him!" Despite his innocence, Jesus is condemned to death. He accepts this unjust sentence in silence, offering Himself for our salvation.

Lord Jesus, You were condemned to death for my sins. Help me to accept the unjust sufferings of my life with patience and trust. Teach me to surrender my will to the Father, even when I do not understand His plan. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Takes Up His Cross

The heavy wooden cross is placed upon the bruised and bleeding shoulders of Jesus. He embraces it willingly, knowing it is the instrument of our redemption.

Lord Jesus, You willingly took up the cross for love of me. Help me to carry my daily crosses without complaining, and to see in them a share in Your suffering and a path to holiness. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Falls the First Time

Weakened by His scourging, exhausted and in pain, Jesus stumbles and falls under the weight of the cross. Yet He rises and continues on His way.

Lord Jesus, You fell under the weight of my sins. When I fall into sin or discouragement, give me the grace to rise again and continue on the path to holiness. Never let me remain in despair. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother

Mary sees her Son, beaten and crowned with thorns, carrying His cross. Their eyes meet. Her heart is pierced with sorrow, yet she stands with Him in love and courage.

Lord Jesus, Your Mother shared in Your suffering with perfect love. Grant me the grace of a compassionate heart. Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for me that I may share in the sufferings of your Son with faith and love. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

The soldiers compel Simon, a man from Cyrene, to help carry the cross. Though reluctant at first, Simon shares in the burden of Christ and receives a blessing beyond measure.

Lord Jesus, You accepted help from Simon. Teach me to help others carry their burdens, and give me the humility to accept help when I need it. Let me see You in every person who suffers. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

A brave woman named Veronica pushes through the hostile crowd to wipe the blood and sweat from the face of Jesus with her veil. Jesus rewards her courage by leaving the imprint of His face upon it.

Lord Jesus, Veronica was not afraid to show her love for You publicly. Give me the courage to profess my faith boldly and to show kindness and compassion even when it is difficult or unpopular. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Falls the Second Time

The weight of the cross and the cruelty of the journey cause Jesus to fall a second time. The soldiers shout at Him and force Him up. Yet He rises again, determined to complete His sacrifice of love.

Lord Jesus, You fell again yet continued on Your way. When I fall back into the same sins again and again, grant me the perseverance never to give up. Help me to trust in Your mercy each time I fall. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

A group of women weep for Jesus along the way. He turns to them and says, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."

Lord Jesus, You thought of others even in Your agony. Help me to look beyond my own suffering and to care for those around me. Give me tears of repentance for my sins and compassion for others. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Falls the Third Time

Almost at Calvary, Jesus falls a third time. His body is broken, His strength nearly gone. Yet once more He rises, showing us that no matter how many times we fall, we must always get up again.

Lord Jesus, three times You fell, and three times You rose. Give me the strength to rise after every fall, no matter how weak I feel. Let me never lose hope in Your saving power. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments

At the top of Calvary, the soldiers roughly strip Jesus of His garments, reopening His wounds. He is exposed and humiliated before the crowd.

Lord Jesus, You were stripped of Your garments and dignity. Help me to let go of my attachments to worldly things. Strip away my pride and vanity, and clothe me in Your humility and grace. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

The soldiers stretch out the hands of Jesus on the cross and drive nails through them. They nail His feet as well. Jesus prays, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Lord Jesus, as the nails pierced Your hands and feet, You prayed for forgiveness for Your enemies. Grant me the grace to forgive those who hurt me. Fix my heart to Your cross so that I may never be separated from You. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Dies on the Cross

After three hours of agony, Jesus cries out, "It is finished!" He bows His head and gives up His spirit. The Son of God has died so that we might live forever.

Lord Jesus, You died for love of me. Help me to die to sin and selfishness each day. May I live for You alone, knowing that through Your death, I have been given the gift of eternal life. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross

The lifeless body of Jesus is gently taken down from the cross and placed in the arms of His sorrowful Mother. Mary holds her Son one last time, her heart broken but her faith unshaken.

Lord Jesus, Your Mother received Your broken body with love and grief. Teach me to embrace my sufferings as she did — with faith, hope, and surrender to God's will. Mary, comfort me in my sorrows. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

The body of Jesus is wrapped in a clean linen cloth and placed in a new tomb carved out of rock. A great stone is rolled across the entrance. But this is not the end — it is the beginning.

Lord Jesus, Your body was laid in the tomb, but death could not hold You. Help me to trust that even in my darkest moments, Your light will break through. May I always believe in the Resurrection and the life that awaits all who follow You. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Your Passion and death are the sacrifice that unites heaven and earth and reconciles all people to You. May we who have faithfully followed You on the Way of the Cross be united with You in Your suffering and death so as to share in Your Resurrection and walk in newness of life.

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

O God, who by the Passion of Christ, Your Son, our Lord, abolished the death inherited from ancient sin by every succeeding generation, grant that just as, being conformed to Him, we have borne by the law of nature the image of the man of earth, so by the sanctification of grace we may bear the image of the Man of heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Traditional Catholic Devotion

Frequently asked questions

When should I pray the Stations of the Cross?

Pray them on Fridays in Lent, on Good Friday, or any time you are in sorrow.

How do I pray the Stations of the Cross?

Move through the fourteen stations in order, pausing at each for the scene, a short prayer and silence.

Who is the Stations of the Cross for?

Anyone who is suffering, parishes in Lent and pilgrims.