During the season of Lent, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, invites us to enter more fully into the spirit of sacrifice, renewal, and repentance. We may embrace this invitation in various ways, such as by praying the “Stations of the Cross”. As reported in the publication, “The Catholic World Report”, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to pray the “Stations” and stated, “The Cross of Christ bears the suffering and the sin of mankind, including our own.” The publication “Catholic Online” noted that “The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day.” The publication further states, “The Stations of the Cross are commonly found in churches as a series of 14 small icons or images.” They are prayed “… especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred.”
In August 2023, in his address on World Youth Day, Pope Francis, commenting on the Stations of the Cross, stated, “Today we are going to journey with Jesus along the path of His suffering, along the path of our worries, the path of our loneliness. Now, in a further moment of silence, let each of us think about our own sufferings, our own worries, our own weaknesses. Do not be afraid, just think about them. And think of the desire our souls have to shine once more…And Jesus journeys to the Cross, dies on the cross, to enable our souls to shine.”
As we reflect on these profound words, we may note that each Friday during Lent we are invited to come together as a faith community to pray the “Stations of the Cross.” We begin at 7:00 pm with a brief reflection by one of our deacons. The reflection focuses on a theme that addresses our Lenten challenges
and concerns. “Stations” then follow at 7:15 pm. Praying the “Stations” can provide us with an opportunity to avail ourselves of abundant spiritual graces. Commemorating the Passion of Jesus through the “Stations” can help us to more clearly witness our faith and assist us on our spiritual journey.
We are strongly encouraged to prayerfully consider making the “Stations” an integral part of our Lenten observance.