The Stations of the Cross is one of the most ancient and powerful Catholic devotions, walking with Jesus through His Passion and Death. This short version can be prayed in just 15 minutes, making it accessible even for busy schedules.
Traditionally prayed on Fridays during Lent, the Stations invite us to enter into Christ’s suffering with gratitude, compassion, and love. Each station is a meditation on His sacrifice and a reminder that He walked this path for us.
The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), has been prayed by Christians for centuries as a way to meditate on the Passion of Christ.
How to Pray the Stations of the Cross
The Stations can be prayed alone or in a group, at church or at home. Here’s how to pray them:
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross and a moment of silence.
- At each station: Read the title, recite the versicle and response, reflect briefly, and pray.
- Move slowly. Don’t rush. Let each station speak to your heart.
- Close with a final prayer and the Sign of the Cross.
The Stations are especially powerful when prayed on Fridays during Lent and on Good Friday.
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You carried the cross for love of us. Help us to walk this path with You, to see Your sacrifice with grateful hearts, and to follow You faithfully all the days of our lives. Amen.
The 14 Stations of the Cross
Station 1: Jesus Is Condemned to Death
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus stands before Pilate, innocent yet condemned. The crowd chooses a murderer over the Savior. He accepts this injustice in silence, offering Himself for our sins.
Lord Jesus, You were condemned though innocent. Forgive me for the times I have judged others unfairly. Help me to accept suffering with patience and trust in Your will.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 2: Jesus Takes Up His Cross
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The cross—heavy, rough, and unforgiving—is placed on Jesus’ shoulders. He does not refuse it. He embraces it, knowing it is the path to our salvation.
Lord Jesus, You willingly took up the cross for me. Help me to carry my own crosses—my struggles, disappointments, and sacrifices—with courage and love.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 3: Jesus Falls the First Time
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Weakened by scourging and loss of blood, Jesus falls beneath the weight of the cross. Yet He rises again, determined to continue for our sake.
Lord Jesus, when I fall into sin or discouragement, lift me up. Give me the strength to begin again, trusting in Your mercy.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 4: Jesus Meets His Mother
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Mary sees her Son carrying the cross. Their eyes meet—a moment of profound sorrow and love. She cannot take His suffering away, but she walks with Him in silence and prayer.
Lord Jesus, You and Your Mother shared this moment of anguish. Help me to trust that I am never alone in my suffering. May Mary intercede for me and walk with me through all trials.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 5: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers compel Simon, a passerby, to help carry the cross. Reluctant at first, Simon becomes a witness to Christ’s suffering and an instrument of God’s grace.
Lord Jesus, help me to see You in those who are suffering. Give me the willingness to help carry the burdens of others, even when it is inconvenient.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 6: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
A woman named Veronica steps forward and wipes the bloodied, sweat-covered face of Jesus. Tradition holds that His image was left imprinted on the cloth—a sign of His gratitude for her compassion.
Lord Jesus, give me the courage to show compassion even when others turn away. May I see Your face in the suffering and respond with love.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 7: Jesus Falls the Second Time
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Exhausted and in pain, Jesus falls again. The burden of sin—our sin—weighs Him down. Yet once more, He rises and continues.
Lord Jesus, when I fall into sin repeatedly, do not let me despair. Help me to rise again and again, trusting in Your endless mercy.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 8: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Women weep for Jesus as He passes. But He tells them, “Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Even in His agony, He thinks of others.
Lord Jesus, teach me to see beyond my own suffering and to care for the needs of others. Help me to turn my sorrow into prayer and action.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 9: Jesus Falls the Third Time
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus falls a third time, nearly crushed by the weight of the cross. Yet His love for us gives Him the strength to rise once more and finish the journey.
Lord Jesus, when I feel too weak to go on, be my strength. Help me to persevere in faith, hope, and love, no matter how many times I fall.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 10: Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers strip Jesus of His clothing, exposing Him to mockery and shame. He who clothed the lilies of the field is left with nothing.
Lord Jesus, You were stripped of everything for my sake. Help me to let go of pride, vanity, and attachment to material things. Teach me to find my dignity in You alone.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 11: Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Nails are driven through Jesus’ hands and feet. The pain is unbearable, yet He does not curse His executioners. Instead, He prays: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Lord Jesus, Your love is beyond comprehension. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me, just as You forgave those who crucified You.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 12: Jesus Dies on the Cross
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
After three hours of agony, Jesus cries out: “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.” And He breathes His last. The earth shakes. The veil of the temple is torn. The Son of God has died for love of us.
Lord Jesus, You gave everything for me. Help me to live not for myself, but for You. May I die to sin and live in Your grace.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 13: Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Mary receives the lifeless body of her Son into her arms. She who held Him as an infant now cradles Him in death, her heart pierced with sorrow.
Lord Jesus, You know the pain of loss and grief. Comfort all who mourn. May Mary, Our Mother of Sorrows, intercede for those who suffer and bring them peace.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Station 14: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
V. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
R. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus’ body is wrapped in linen and placed in a tomb. A stone is rolled across the entrance. His followers scatter in fear and sorrow. But this is not the end—Sunday is coming.
Lord Jesus, You descended into death so that we might have life. Even in the darkest tomb, Your light cannot be extinguished. Give me hope in times of darkness, trusting that resurrection always follows the cross.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You walked the Way of the Cross out of love for us. Thank You for Your sacrifice, Your mercy, and Your unfailing love. Help us to take up our cross daily and follow You faithfully. May we never forget what You endured for our salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
When to Pray the Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross can be prayed anytime, but they hold special significance during certain times:
- Every Friday during Lent – A traditional practice that unites Catholics worldwide
- Good Friday – The day we commemorate Christ’s Death on the cross
- Anytime for meditation on the Passion – In moments of suffering, doubt, or gratitude
- In church or at home – Many parishes offer communal Stations on Fridays, but you can also pray them privately
Other Lenten Prayers
Continue your Lenten journey with these prayers and devotions:
- Ash Wednesday Prayer 2026 – Begin Lent with repentance and hope
- What to Give Up for Lent 2026 – Ideas for meaningful sacrifices
- Complete Guide to Lent 2026 – Prayers, fasting, and spiritual renewal
- Prayer for Your Lenten Sacrifice – Offering your penance to God
- Lenten Fasting Rules 2026 – Clear guide to Catholic fasting
If this devotion has deepened your love for Christ, share it with someone preparing for Lent. The Stations of the Cross remind us that we are never alone in our suffering—Jesus walked this path first, and He walks with us still.
