The Meaning and Practice of the Stations of the Cross
The Stations (or Way) of the Cross offer a way for us to pray imaginatively by tracing the story of Jesus's final hours, from betrayal to burial, through word, image, and song. The term “stations” is from the Latin statio, meaning to stand or stop; each station invites us to stop and contemplate a key moment of Christ’s journey to the cross. Initially a Roman Catholic tradition, the Stations are now embraced by several Protestant denominations.
The Stations originate from the ancient Christian practice of pilgrimage. In the 4th century, pilgrims traveled to the Holy Land to walk in Jesus’s footsteps, then recreated their journey at home, hoping to inspire others in prayer and worship. By the 14th century, Franciscans placed images along the Jerusalem route, leading distant churches to display the Stations in their buildings. This tradition continues, offering a way to reflect on Christ’s Passion, whether through physical movement or contemplation within a church setting.
The traditional version includes 14 Stations––eight based on the Gospels and six on tradition. In the 1990’s, Pope John Paul II created a scripturally based version, with all 14 stations drawn from the Bible:
- Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
- Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested
- The Sanhedrin judges Jesus
- Jesus is denied by Peter three times
- Jesus is judged by Pilate
- Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns
- Jesus takes up his cross
- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
- Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
- Jesus is crucified
- Jesus promises his kingdom to the repentant thief
- Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other
- Jesus dies on the cross
- Jesus is laid in the tomb
A 15th Station on Jesus’s resurrection is also sometimes included.
While the Stations can be used at any time, the fourteen are a powerful devotional resource during Lent, especially Holy Week. The Stations can guide individual devotions or structure a prayer walk or congregational prayer service. A Good Friday prayer walk through town might include stops that represent each of the Stations, with prayers offered for the community. The act of witness through public procession coheres with Baptist commitments to evangelism and community service. A simple congregational service might move through each station with a reading (a corresponding passage from the Gospels or other scriptures), reflection (silent or spoken), and prayer. A fuller service might incorporate images or artwork and music (see, for instance, Nicholas Markell's artwork on the biblical Stations of the Cross). Using your body (walking, kneeling, standing, sitting); and your senses (looking, speaking, singing, listening) enhance contemplation.
To pray the Stations is to take the part of a pilgrim, journeying with Christ and connecting with believers across time and space. In an age where faith is often confined to the private, intellectual, or digital realms, this fully embodied practice allows for a deeper encounter with scripture, with Jesus, and with others. It invites us to marvel at Christ’s suffering and remember how it shapes our individual and corporate Christian identity––“while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.” (2 Corinthians 4:10-11, NRSV)
NOTE: Baylor Spiritual Life invites members of the Baylor community to pray through the stations of the Cross in a self-guided reflection in Elliston Chapel from 11a.m. to 2 p.m., April 14-18.
Written by:
Elizabeth E. Shively, PhD
Professor of Chrisitan Scriptures
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Baylor University