When to Pray Stations of the Cross

[KateD]

I need some help with the following question: The other night we were at a meeting, and our pastor informed us that the Stations of the Cross should not be prayed during the 50 days after Easter. Apparently we have a group at our church who prays the Stations all year, and he is quite disapproving of them. I have never heard that the Stations should not be prayed during those 50 days; does someone know if this is true? Thanks!

 

[Evan]

I need some help with the following question: The other night we were at a meeting, and our pastor informed us that the Stations of the Cross should not be prayed during the 50 days after Easter. Apparently we have a group at our church who prays the Stations all year, and he is quite disapproving of them. I have never heard that the Stations should not be prayed during those 50 days; does someone know if this is true? Thanks!

Normally one would pray the stations on Friday afternoon. Fr’s thought that they not be prayed during Easter seems to fly in the face of

1. we still abstain from meat on Friday’s, even in the Easter season (unless you have chosen a different penance)
2. we still have the sacrifice of the mass during the Easter season, even though it is a rememberance of the passion and death of Christ on the Cross.

 

[Freshman88]

Sounds pretty bizarre. I wonder where the number 50 comes from?

 

[jlmadden]

I don’t know about anything official, but I would agree with your pastor. The Easter Season is a time for rejoicing and celebrating the Resurrection, while praying the Stations of the Cross is a beautiful way to focus and reflect on Christ’s Passion.

The Easter Season ends on Pentecost (Greek for “Fiftieth Day”).

 

[Lancer]

I need some help with the following question: The other night we were at a meeting, and our pastor informed us that the Stations of the Cross should not be prayed during the 50 days after Easter. Apparently we have a group at our church who prays the Stations all year, and he is quite disapproving of them. I have never heard that the Stations should not be prayed during those 50 days; does someone know if this is true? Thanks!

First, his (priest’s ) “should not” edict is not the same as “must not” or “cannot”…which is a big clue about where he is getting this “proclamation” from…himself! I really understand his feelings…but it is not his devotion to rule over or to impose nonexistent regulations. He needs to remember that this group is most likely being led by the power of the Holy Spirit…in which case…he needs to get out of the way. If its not the Holy Spirit…but, just a nice emotionally generated devotion…not a true apostolate…it will not last.

Second, there is nothing in the CCC that tells us as Catholics that we can’t pray a certain **devotion **(s) to Our Lord Jesus based on liturgical seasons.

Third, remember that the Stations of the Cross is a devotion prayer/worship…not a liturgical (official/public) prayer/worship…meaning that it is **not regulated by the Church Liturgical Seasons.
**
Fourth, we have several priest/religious (cloistered monks and nuns) orders who spend their whole apostolate life with Jesus in his passion, suffering and death.

Fifth, I would ask the priest…charitably but directly, where he is getting this “ruling” and to show it to me in writing.

Lastly, it is unjust to lead his “flock” this way…and also to make a part of the “flock” a point of division within his “flock”…when there is no legitimate basis. Also, penitential offerings and spiritual works of mercy are always needed…just look at all the sin and evil in the world/news…every day…even throughout the Easter Season.

Pax Christi

 

[Chatter163]

Sounds pretty bizarre. I wonder where the number 50 comes from?

Because the Easter season lasts fifty days, from Easter Day through Pentecost.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I would be surprised if a bishop has banned the celebration of the Stations of the Cross during Easter. But the following may help in appreciating the priest’s position.

The 2001 Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy is at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html .

The Stations of the Cross are called the “Via Crucis” in this document and it has in n. 133: “The Via Crucis is a particularly apt pious exercise for Lent.”

In n. 153, under the heading “Eastertide” it has:
“The Via Lucis
153. A pious exercise called the Via Lucis has developed and spread to many regions in recent years. Following the model of the Via Crucis, the faithful process while meditating on the various appearances of Jesus - from his Resurrection to his Ascension - in which he showed his glory to the disciples who awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14, 26; 16, 13-15; Lk 24, 49), strengthened their faith, brought to completion his teaching on the Kingdom and more closely defined the sacramental and hierarchical structure of the Church. …”.

Regarding regulation, the document has:
“21. Manifestations of popular piety are subject to the jurisdiction of the local Ordinary. It is for him to regulate such manifestations, to encourage them as a means of assisting the faithful in living the Christian life, and to purify and evangelize them where necessary. He is also to ensure that they do not substitute for the Liturgy nor become part of the liturgical celebrations(23). The local ordinary also approves the prayers and formulae associated with acts of public piety and devotional practices(24). The dispositions given by a particular local Ordinary for the territory of his jurisdiction are for the particular Church entrusted to his pastoral care.”

 

[littleviolet]

hi!

You can pray the stations of the cross even during easter. There is no rule saying that you can’t. Another good practice that should acommpany the sations is meditating on the 7 sorrows of Mary especially on saturdays. Hope this was helpful!

May the hearts of Jesus and Mary reign forever!

 

[AngelRose81]

I would be surprised if a bishop has banned the celebration of the Stations of the Cross during Easter. But the following may help in appreciating the priest’s position.

The 2001 Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy is at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html .

The Stations of the Cross are called the “Via Crucis” in this document and it has in n. 133: “The Via Crucis is a particularly apt pious exercise for Lent.”

In n. 153, under the heading “Eastertide” it has:
“The Via Lucis
153. A pious exercise called the Via Lucis has developed and spread to many regions in recent years. Following the model of the Via Crucis, the faithful process while meditating on the various appearances of Jesus - from his Resurrection to his Ascension - in which he showed his glory to the disciples who awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14, 26; 16, 13-15; Lk 24, 49), strengthened their faith, brought to completion his teaching on the Kingdom and more closely defined the sacramental and hierarchical structure of the Church. …”.

Regarding regulation, the document has:
“21. Manifestations of popular piety are subject to the jurisdiction of the local Ordinary. It is for him to regulate such manifestations, to encourage them as a means of assisting the faithful in living the Christian life, and to purify and evangelize them where necessary. He is also to ensure that they do not substitute for the Liturgy nor become part of the liturgical celebrations(23). The local ordinary also approves the prayers and formulae associated with acts of public piety and devotional practices(24). The dispositions given by a particular local Ordinary for the territory of his jurisdiction are for the particular Church entrusted to his pastoral care.”

Sometimes our parish does the Stations of Joy which may be the same thing as the Via Lucis during Eastertide. But we’ve never been discouraged from praying the Via Crucis, though.