Stations of the Cross | Our Lady of the Black Hills

Introduction to the Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross commemorates the fourteen key events on the day of Christ's crucifixion. It constitutes a miniature pilgrimage to the holy places at Jerusalem, where the devotion originated. During medieval Europe, wars prevented Christian pilgrims from visiting the Holy Land. European artists created works depicting scenes of Christ's journey to Calvary. These were installed at intervals along a procession route, inside the parish church or outdoors. Performing the devotion meant walking the entire route, stopping to pray at each station. Commonly done during the season of Lent, they can be performed privately throughout the year, even in your home.

There are no specific set of prayers to be said during the Stations of the Cross, although a common set, and those included here, are based on the work of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.

These are photos of the Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church. To begin praying the Stations of the Cross, click on the first station.

There are many versions of the Stations of the Cross. Here are just a few.

How to do the Stations of the Cross.

If you would like more information about the Stations of the Cross, visit the CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Way of the Cross.