THE WAY OF THE CROSS
The Stations of the Cross are a series of 14 images recounting the crucifixion of Christ from his condemnation by Pilate to his burial. A "fifteenth station" of the Resurrection is added, since the Passion of Christ is meaningless unless the Resurrection is kept in mind. They usually are mounted on the walls of Roman Catholic churches. Before each station appropriate prayers are said and a verse from the Stabat Mater is sung or recited as the participants move form one station to the next. The devotion may be carried out either by one person alone or by a group, in which case the group is usually led by a priest.
The custon, called "making the stations" arose from the practice of pilgims to Jerusalem who followed the path of Jesus from the spot where Pilate's house was believed to have stood to Calvary. They paused to pray at varius spots where incidents recorded in the Gospels were believed to take place. The practice spread throughout Europe by returning Crusaders, The Franciscans, who were given charge of the holy places in Jerusalem in 1342, also did much to foster it. The devotion became very popular by the late Middle Ages, but the exact number and the content of the scenes were not fixed by popular usage until well into the 18th century. To encourage its use the Roman Catholic Church has attached numerous indulgences to it.
