STATIONS OF THE CROSS

BASIC R.C. BELIEF

A sacramental of the Roman Catholic Church. To do this devotion, one says a

prayer before each of the 14 pictures that are supposed to portray events

in the life of Christ between the Judgment Hall and the Tomb. Only 9 of the

14 are scriptural. Generous indulgences are attached to this devotion.

Pilgrims used to visit the Holy Land to see places associated with

Jesus' death. When Jerusalem became Moslem, this was no longer possible.

Blessed Alvarez of Spain erected several small chapels, each containing a

representation of Jesus' sufferings. Around 1350, Franciscans erected

stations in European churches. This was approved by the Pope, and spread

throughout Roman Catholicism.

POST VATICAN II

Recent awareness of the importance of the Resurrection/Ascension has

prompted, in some places, the use of a 15th (unofficial) station.

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