Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer?

Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM

Note: This audio does not contain the actual praying of the stations. The audio addresses the origin questions appearing within the title, plus more. If you wish to pray the Stations, one example may be found here.

Where Did the Stations of the Cross Come From? Why Are They Important? What is the Peculiar Power of this Prayer?

During the Lenten Season, many participate in the devotion and the praying of The Stations or The Way of The Cross.

While we see the stations . . . either outside on the grounds or within the parish, we often pray before them. However, we often spend little time reflecting on what they are in the first place. Where did the Stations come from? Why are they important? What is the peculiar power of this prayer?

It seems a good time during this Lenten Season, when we often pray the stations, to take some formation time on the stations themselves.

Some global issues first: St. Louis de Montfort tells us the single greatest means of quickening our hearts with love for the Lord, is to contemplate lovingly all that He suffered for us! The more we focus on His Passion, the more we deepen our love for the Lord. Yes, we will have regret for our sins that causes His Passion in the first place! Yes, we should feel that in our hearts. But the overall object is to kindle our love for the Lord! Note the thrust of that, as the Homily exclaims!

The contemplation begins with the realization that the Passion . . . this has been done . . . for me! Hear more within the Homily.

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