Walk with Jesus as He walks to Calvary

You may be wondering why the sites are called Stations of the Cross. The word station comes from a Latin word that means to stand. We make the stations, walking from Christ’s trial to His crucifixion at Calvary and we stop to stand at certain sites that commemorate various events that took place along the way. As you come to each station, you pause, pray, read the scriptures, offer prayers, and contemplate the situation before moving on. As you walk from one station to the next, your walking becomes a devotional act, because you are walking with Jesus as He walks to Calvary.

The traditional way to begin each station is: “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” This prayer is offered while genuflecting. This pious prayer is an adaptation from the writings of St. Francis of Assisi.  His brother reported that whenever he caught sight of a Catholic church in the distance, St. Francis would kneel down and give praise to God with the words:
     “We adore you, O Lord Jesus Christ, in this church and all the churches of the world, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.”

After the meditation and prayer, we walk to the next station while chanting the Stabat Mater. The name of this sacred hymn comes from the first line “Stabat Mater Dolorosa” which means, “The sorrowful mother stood.” She is our model, the one who always stood by Our Lord. Lent is the most popular time to make the Stations, however it’s not the only time.  

Our Blessed Lord encourage St. Faustina to do this every day at 3 p.m. He says:  
     “My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant.” (1572).

Both St. Joseph Church and Holy Family have attractive and detailed Stations that aid us in our meditation. As we take this walk — stopping at each station for prayer and meditation, they will help you call to mind what the Lord endured during these last moments of His earthly life.  This can be a moving experience for individuals or families. Please plan to prayerfully participate in this very personal walk with Our Blessed Lord.

Holy Family - Fridays after Mass - 9:30 a.m.
St. Joseph Church - Sundays after 8 a.m. Mass