For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17
The devotional activity of walking the Stations of the Cross dates far back in Christian tradition. Some churches in the Middle Ages had chapels to commemorate an event in the Passion of Jesus and, from these, the Franciscans, since the 15th century, have developed the devotion that has come to be called the Stations of the Cross. Stations were being erected in churches by the 17th century, arranged at intervals around the walls. They took the form of wooden crosses, with a representation of an event in the passion under each. At first the number of stations varied, but was finally fixed at 14 by Pope Clement XII. Nine of the Stations commemorate events related in the Gospels, and five commemorate events from early Christian tradition.
These meditations are written especially for private devotion. You are invited to participate in the Passion of our Lord through the eyes of some of the people who were there. We suggest that you participate when you can separate yourself from the cares of the world for a period of time. Pray each station, aloud or silently, before proceeding to the next.
God be with you.