INSIDE: Resources for praying the Stations of the Cross at Home
Candlelight casts warm glow on my children’s prayerful faces as they concentrate on the flames.
“…for by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.”
One by one candles are blown out as we walk the path of Our Lord.
The Stations of the Cross are beautiful, sensory prayer which leaves an indelible mark not only on our children’s memories, but (hopefully) on their souls.
It has become my favorite part of Lent in our Catholic home.
Today, I want to help you start this beautiful prayer too!
Where did the Station of the Cross come from?
The practice of the Stations of the Cross sprung from pilgrims walking the path of Christ’s Passion.
Now it is more common to be “spiritual pilgrims” meditating and praying in front of images depicting Our Lord’s Passion.
Other names for the Stations
You may hear the Stations referred to as:
- Sorrowful Way (Via Dolorosa in Latin)
- Way of the Cross (Via Crucis in Latin)
What are the 14 traditional Stations of the Cross?
1. Pilate condemns Jesus to die
2. Jesus accepts his cross
3. Jesus falls for the first time
4. Jesus meets his mother, Mary
5. Simon helps carry the cross
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls for the second time
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls for the third time
10. Jesus is stripped of his clothes
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb
How do I gain indulgences attached to praying the Stations of the Cross?
General Plenary Indulgence requirements:
- Be in a state of grace (no mortal sin)
- Be detached from sin, even venial sin
- Make a good confession within twenty days before or after
- Receive Holy Communion within twenty days before or after
- Pray for the pope’s intentions.
Plenary indulgence requirements for Stations of the Cross:
- Have properly hung and blessed Stations
- Move from station to station (at a minimum the leader must move)
Stations within a church (or on church grounds) are “properly erected.”
If any condition is not met, the indulgence becomes partial.
(i.e. Our family does not have properly hung and blessed Stations in our home, nor do we move from station to station. Therefore, we gain only a partial indulgence.)
Resources for Stations of the Cross at Home
Host a Soup and Stations every Friday night
A couple of years ago we got together with another family to have a soup dinner and pray the Stations together. It held us accountable and made things easier since we alternated hosting!
Stations of the Cross for Children: Color and Pray
Scriptural Stations of the Cross (from the USCCB)
Printable Stations of the Cross Booklet (from St. Anne’s Helper)
Printable Stations (from Real Life at Home)
Stations of the Cross Audio CD from Holy Heroes
Stations of the Cross on Youtube
Simplified Stations of the Cross for Kids (from Loyola Press)
Stations of the Cross for Kids (from Cath Family)
Ways to Display the Stations of the Cross at Home
Stations of the Cross Flip Book (also in printable version, can be used as coloring book too!)
Printable Stations of the Cross for Kids (Catholic Icing)
Modge Podge Stations Candles (Joyfilled Family)
Printable Flip Cards (from Family, Feast, and Feria)
At Home Stations Display (from Practicing Catholic)
Stations Blocks from Almond Rod Toys
Stations prints from Sacred Print
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