Stations of the Cross Offered Every Friday Evening at 6PM During Lent

Christ the King Church is pleased to offer The Stations of the Cross every Friday at 6PM during Lent, in the Sanctuary.

The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, is a Christian devotion that commemorates the events of Jesus Christ’s Passion; his suffering, death, and burial. Each station typically involves a prayer, meditation, or reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, often accompanied by images or other art representing the event.

The Stations of the Cross is typically observed during the season of Lent, especially on Fridays, and culminates on Good Friday, where the passion of Christ is remembered and celebrated. This devotion is considered a way for Christians to deepen their faith and understanding of the sacrifice of Jesus, and to unite their own sufferings and struggles with his, ultimately leading to a greater appreciation for the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. Learn more below.

While it originated in the Roman Catholic tradition, Anglicans have adapted it, emphasizing its scriptural foundation and devotional value. From an Anglican perspective, the Stations are not a mandatory practice but are valued as a means of deepening one’s relationship with Christ, especially during Lent and Holy Week.

Anglicans typically approach the Stations with a focus on biblical authenticity, often preferring stations grounded in Scripture over those derived from tradition alone. The devotion aligns with Anglican theology’s emphasis on salvation through Christ’s sacrifice, and can be conducted in churches, outdoors, or privately. Below, are is the outline for the 14 traditional stations.

The 14 Stations of the Cross

1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus takes up his Cross
3. Jesus falls the first time*
4. Jesus meets his afflicted mother*
5. The Cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene
6. A woman wipes the face of Jesus*
7. Jesus falls a second time*
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls a third time*
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
12. Jesus dies on the Cross
13. The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother*
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb

The Anglican order of service for the Stations of the Cross includes the six* stations that are not directly found in Scripture, but also allows for their omission. The Anglican readings and prayers for the extra-biblical stations do not directly reference the named events of those stations, but instead focus on themes associated with them, such as the suffering of Mary and Jesus’ willingness to humble himself in human form.