Stations of the Cross, Offered Every Friday during Lent
A Lenten Devotional, from different voices...
Every Friday In the Sanctuary at 6:00 pm during Lent
The Stations of the Cross is a devotional practice that invites Christians to reflect on the final hours of Jesus Christ’s earthly life—from His condemnation to His crucifixion and burial. This tradition, often observed during Lent and especially on Good Friday, consists of fourteen stations, each depicting a specific event on Christ’s path to Calvary.
Originating in the early centuries of the Church, the Stations allowed pilgrims who could not travel to Jerusalem to experience a spiritual pilgrimage by contemplating Christ's Passion. By the Middle Ages, Franciscan friars had formalized the practice, spreading it widely across Europe. Today, many Episcopal churches, including The Episcopal Church of St. Mary Magdalene & St. Martin, offer this devotion, often through artistic representations or outdoor pathways.
Diverse Expressions of the Stations
In recent years, various adaptations of the Stations of the Cross have emerged, inviting worshippers to engage with the Passion of Christ from different perspectives and in light of contemporary issues.
One such variation is the Stations from the Voice of Mary, which invites participants to walk the way of the cross through the eyes of Jesus’ mother, contemplating her sorrow and faith as she witnesses her son’s suffering. This approach emphasizes the humanity and heartbreak of the Passion, drawing worshippers into a deeper empathy and reflection on the cost of love.
Another powerful adaptation is the Stations of the Cross for Immigrants, which integrates the suffering of Christ with the plight of refugees and migrants today. Each station becomes an opportunity to pray for those fleeing violence, facing persecution, and enduring hardship in search of safety and hope. This version challenges believers to see Christ’s face in the marginalized and to respond with compassion and justice.
Walking the Way of Love
Each adaptation of the Stations of the Cross serves as a reminder that Christ’s Passion is not confined to history but is present wherever there is suffering, injustice, and a need for redemption. As we walk these varied paths, we are invited to see our own lives and the world’s pain through the lens of Christ’s love, courage, and ultimate victory over death.
Through these diverse expressions, the Stations of the Cross continue to be a powerful spiritual practice—one that calls us to deeper compassion, repentance, and a commitment to carrying Christ's love into the world.
