Can someone tell me what 'stations of the cross' is all about?

[yellowbicycle]

I just realized that I posted that I was going to do the stations of the cross every Friday in Lent…and that I don’t really know how to ‘do’ them!
I know what they are, I see them all around the church, but what does one do at stations of the cross, exactly?
Thanks!

 

[japhy]

Read about the origin of this devotion.

Most simply put, one meditates upon each of the stations. This meditation can involve prayer, the reading of Scripture, etc. Many traditional liturgies of the Stations involve acclamations at each station such as “V. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise (or: bless) you. / R. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”

Here are some meditations: 1) from EWTN, 2) from St. Alphonsus Liguori (which incorporates the Stabat Mater hymn, 3) from the National Shrine of St. Francis Assisi.

 

[NHInsider]

As it happens I was just checking before recommending to my Confirmation students, and the wikipedia entry on the Stations includes a lot of excellent links, including a couple of audio files . . .

But as with any meditative prayer, the important thing is where your heart is, not the precise words (unless you’re praying with a group, in which case it’s quite helpful if everyone is using the same text!)

 

[stbruno]

Most popularly you will see praying the stations of the cross during the Lenten season. Churches will usually provide a public time for those who wish to gather to pray them together during Lent as well. But Stations may be meditated on during any time of the year. They are a wonderful spiritual exercise in linking ourselves to the great sacrifice Jesus made for us, leading up to the best…his Resurrection and the gates of hell will not prevail.

 

[yellowbicycle]

Thanks everyone!