Stations of the Cross

Also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis.

The depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The object of the Stations is to help the faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, through meditating upon the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death. It has become one of the most popular devotions for Roman Catholics, as well as featuring in the worship and devotion of other Christian denominations.

The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:

1. Jesus is condemned to death.

2. Jesus receives the cross.

3. Jesus falls the first time.

4. Jesus meets His Mother.

5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross.

6. Veronica wipes Jesus' face with her veil.

7. Jesus falls the second time.

8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem.

9. Jesus falls the third time.

10. Jesus is stripped of His garments.

11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross.

12. Jesus dies on the cross.

13. Jesus' body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation).

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.