It is clear that the purpose of this pilgrimage is to make the Way of the Cross. The Way of the Cross is a devotion where we meditate on the sufferings and death of Jesus.
The history of the Way of the Cross
As it is mentioned in the tradition of the Church, Mary our Mother accompanied our Lord Jesus Christ on His Way of the Cross. It is mentioned that after Emperor Constantine gave Christians the freedom to follow their religion, the important places of Jesus' way of the cross were marked. Christians made their way of the cross by following these places. They had to go to the Holy Land (Palestine) for this. But, after the 5th century, various countries of the world built their own calvaries and stations for the way of the cross of Jesus.
The Stations of the Way of the Cross
During the devotion of the Way of the Cross we commemorate the Passion of Jesus from the condemnation to death by Pilate until He was laid in the tomb. It is made up of 14 Stations.
First Station
Jesus is condemned to death
Second Station
Jesus carries His cross
Third Station
Jesus falls the first time.
Fourth Station
Jesus meets His afflicted Mother
Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross
Sixth Station
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Seventh Station
Jesus falls the second time
Eighth Station
The Women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus
Ninth Station
Jesus falls the third time
Tenth Station
Jesus is stripped of His garments
Eleventh Station
Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Twelfth Station
Jesus dies on the cross.
Thirteenth Station
Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in the arms of His Mother.
Fourteenth Station
Jesus is placed in the tomb.
The Way of the Cross is made like this
Name the Station. e. g. 1st Station.
Verse: We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee.
Response: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reflection.
Lord's prayer, Hail Mary, Glory be...
Prayer
Prayer: Have mercy on us Lord,
Response : Have mercy on us.
Verse: May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Response: Amen.
Hymn:
At the cross her station keeping
Stood the holy Mother weeping
Close to Jesus to the last.
We recall the painful way of the cross of Jesus. We must participate in this devotion with great piety and in prayer. We must try to share in the sufferings of Jesus. We can make the Way of the Cross on Fridays in Lent or on any day. Meditating on the sufferings of Jesus helps us to bear our little pains and aches meaningfully and joyfully for the sake of Jesus.
