The exercise of the Way of the Cross consists in meditat­ing piously on the fourteen principal scenes of the Passion of our Lord, from his condemnation to death to his burial.

Nothing helps better to inspire us with horror of sin, love of heavenly things and zeal for Christian perfection than the thought of our Lord's sufferings and death; so the So­vereign Pontiffs have attached to this exercise all the in­dulgences, both plenary and partial, which are granted to those who have the privilege of following the original Way of the Cross at Jerusalem. In fact, the Way of the Cross is a miniature pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a substi­tute for the actual visiting of the Holy Places, introduced in very early times, though the present form of the devo­tion is relatively modern. The word Station (Latin Statio) means a halting-place or meeting-place, and has a quasi-liturgical signification. It is the same word that we find in the Roman Missal, where it means the meeting-place for the celebration of the Solemn Mass.

To gain the indulgences, it is sufficient to meditate for a short time on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ (Raccolta, p. 126), while proceeding from one Station to an­other, except when the exercise is made in public (July 1757).

No vocal prayer is essential. It is only recommended, when the Way of the Cross is made in common to:

a) to sing between the Stations a verse of the Stabat Mater or some other Hymn;
b) to recite a Pater, an Ave, and an Act of Contrition (April 1731).

 

 

Carmelite Holy Hour, St. Joseph's Church, Troy, NY

A "Carmelite Holy Hour" which includes Stations of the Cross, meditation & Benediction, followed by Confession, will be held at St. Joseph's Church, Troy, NY EACH of the Fridays durring Lent at 7pm.

 

The traditional St. Alphonsus Ligouri method is used for the Stations, except on February 22 when the 8th grade students from LaSalle will present "The Living Stations."