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The Stations of the Cross, additionally known as the “Way of the Cross,” or “Via Crucis,” refers to the devotional prayer apply that commemorates the occasions main as much as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The historical prayer started when pilgrims to Jerusalem started retracing the precise steps of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. It “invites us to accompany Jesus on the road to Calvary and reflect on 14 of the most profound moments leading up to His death,” Sarah Shutrop, a author at the Christian prayer app Hallow, instructed Fox News Digital by way of electronic mail.
As the apply unfold, it grew to become commonplace to put in work or sculptures of these 14 Stations of the Cross in church buildings, mentioned the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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While some denominations use slight variations of the 14 stations, the intent of the prayer is to encourage meditation on the final moments of Jesus Christ.
“Like the good thief crucified next to Jesus, this prayer forces us to look upon Him, innocent and offered up for our sake,” mentioned Shutrop.
Images of the 14 Stations of the Cross, seen right here, are present in church buildings worldwide. The artwork encourages meditation about the sacrifice of Christ. (Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/image alliance by way of Getty Images)
She continued, “Following Jesus as He makes His solution to demise is disturbing. This is not a snug prayer.”
This discomfort, nevertheless, serves a objective.
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Thinking about Christ’s demise on the cross in atonement for the sins of humanity serves to “challenge us by His example to be more loving, more generous, and more selfless in our response to the world around us,” she mentioned.
The Stations of the Cross prayer started with pilgrims retracing Jesus Christ’s precise final steps in Jerusalem. Here, Orthodox Christians carry wood crosses alongside the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) in the Old City of Jerusalem during the Orthodox Good Friday procession in 2023. (Saeed Qaq/SOPA Images/LightRocket by way of Getty Images)
The act of praying the Stations of the Cross additionally invitations Christians to hope with those that adopted and knew Jesus.
“Many Stations bring us face-to-face with those who remained close to Him in His final hours. We encounter Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as she follows her Son on the way to death. We witness as Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’ cross alongside Him. We meet Veronica in the Sixth Station, who risks her own comfort to bring comfort to Christ,” she mentioned.
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The feelings felt by these figures are relatable during our personal lives, mentioned Shutrop.
An individual might be battling grief, as Mary was, or supporting somebody in want, as Simon did, she mentioned.
Some church buildings do “living” Stations of the Cross processions during Lent. Here, the tenth Station of the Cross is proven on a banner. (Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto by way of Getty Images)
“We might be called to courageously step out of our comfort zone — like Veronica,” Shutrop additionally mentioned.
“Wherever we may be, the men and women we encounter as we pray the Stations of the Cross offer us a blueprint for faithful discipleship, and serve to invite us to remain steadfast amid the shifting realities of our lives,” she mentioned.
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The Stations of the Cross is a reminder of a “hard truth,” mentioned Shutrop.
“We all suffer.”
She added, “Each of us must pick up our crosses and push forward,” simply as Christ did earlier than His crucifixion.
“Even in the midst of darkness, we are not alone.” (iStock)
But, additionally, the Stations of the Cross are a reminder of one other factor: hope.
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The prayer “reminds us that we have a God who suffered before us. Even in the midst of darkness, we are not alone.”
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