The Way of the Cross

For Christians throughout the world, The Way of the Cross is central to the season of Lent. The devotion is also known as the "Stations of the Cross," the "Via Crucis," and the "Via Dolorosa." It commemorates 14 key events on the day of Christ's crucifixion. The majority concern His final walk through the streets of Jerusalem, carrying the Cross. The Stations originated in medieval Europe when Muslims captured Jerusalem and it became too dangerous for Christian pilgrims to visit the Holy Land. European artists created works depicting scenes of Christ's journey to Calvary. The faithful installed these sculptures or paintings at intervals along a procession route, inside the parish church or outdoors. Performing the devotion meant walking the entire route, stopping to pray at each "station." Today, images of the Stations (or simple crosses representing them) are on display in almost all Catholic churches. They serve mainly as a focus for Lenten worship services. But the Stations can also be performed privately, at any time of the year, even at home.