14 Facts about the 14 Stations of the Cross

14 Facts about the 14 Stations of the Cross
14 Facts about the 14 Stations of the Cross

14 Facts about the 14 Stations of the Cross  — cover photo credit:Zvonimir Atletic / Shutterstock.com

Growing up Catholic, I was encouraged to talk to God, to eat Jesus’ body and blood in the form of a tasteless cracker and watered-down communion wine, and to confess my sins to the ready and listening priest. The Stations of the Cross were displayed in sculpturette form at the front of the church, showing a devastatingly suffering Christ carrying his destiny and submitting to it as the loving son of God. Still, that was about as much exposure as I got to the stations—unless I’d gone to the restroom or fallen asleep (both happened) too many times during CCD, aka Wednesday church school for Catholic young’uns.

But what do the fourteen Stations of the Cross really mean? I was raised Catholic, and I couldn’t tell you without a good bit of research. But why not honor my upbringing? Learn a little about what I was supposed to know by the ripe age of eight? My nana is probably pretty upset that I never got confirmed as a real adult Catholic, but maybe I can make it up to her seven years later. Here goes.

In short, the Stations of the Cross are a series of images that show Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. They also refer to the prayers Christians say when observing these images. Oftentimes the religious travel along a path in the church lobby where the images are displayed on the walls, stopping to pray and meditate on each one. The Stations of the Cross are also, more beautifully, known as the Way or the Way of Sorrows.

There are two versions of the Stations of the Cross: the one that sticks to scripture tightly, and the one that’s more popularly depicted in art and even churches. I bet you can guess which one we’re going to examine.

14Jesus is Condemned to Death.

The First Station of the Cross, Jesus is Condemned to Die.

13Jesus is Given His Cross.

The Second Station of the Cross, Jesus Christ is Given His Cross.

12Jesus Falls Down for the First Time.

The Third Station of the Cross, Jesus falls the first time.

11Jesus Meets His Mother Mary.

The Fourth Station of the Cross, Jesus meets his Mother Mary.

10Simon of Cyrene is Forced to Carry the Cross.

The Fifth Station of the Cross Simon of Cyrene carries Jesus’ cross.

9Veronica Wipes Blood off of Jesus’ Face.

The Sixth Station of the Cross Veronica wipes blood off of Jesus’ face.

8Jesus Falls Down the Second Time.

The Seventh Station of the Cross, Jesus falls for the second time.

7Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem.

The Eighth Station of the Cross, Jesus meets the ladies in Jerusalem.

6Jesus Falls Down for the Third Time.

The Ninth Station of the Cross, Jesus falls for the Third Time

5Jesus is Stripped of His Clothing.

The Tenth Station of the Cross, Jesus is stripped of his clothing.

4Jesus is Nailed to the Cross—the Crucifixion.

The Eleventh Station of the Cross, Jesus is Nailed to the Cross.

3Jesus Dies on the Cross.

The Twelfth Station of the Cross, Jesus Dies.

2Jesus’ Body is Removed from the Cross—the Deposition or Lamentation.

The Thirteenth Station of the Cross, Jesus is removed from the Cross

1Jesus’ Body is Placed in the Tomb.

The Fourteenth Station of the Cross, Jesus is placed in the tomb