As we prepare for the liturgical season of Lent, Catholic schools play a vital role in helping students and families deepen their faith and grow closer to Christ. Lent is a time of spiritual preparation anticipating the joy of Easter and an opportunity to reflect on the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion that nurtures spiritual growth and fosters a deeper connection to the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and hope.

This article explores the significance and history of the Stations of the Cross and offers practical suggestions for integrating the devotion in your Catholic school community. Download a free printable Stations of the Cross Prayer and Reflection Guide offering prayer, Scripture, reflection, and discussion opportunities to accompany this spiritual practice.

What Are the Stations of the Cross?

The Stations of the Cross are a Catholic devotion consisting of fourteen stations that depict a series of events in the condemnation, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. Each station is typically depicted through artwork, statues, stained glass, or images placed along a path. Catholics pray their way through these stations, reflecting on Jesus’s suffering and death and also hope for the resurrection. The Stations of the Cross are also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis.

The 14 Stations of the Cross are:

1. Jesus is condemned to death.
2. Jesus takes up his cross.
3. Jesus falls for the first time.
4. Jesus meets his Mother.
5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his 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 forgiving those who crucified him.
13. The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross.
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb.

The History of the Stations of the Cross

The practice of the Stations of the Cross is rooted in pilgrimage. Early Christians traveled to Jerusalem to walk the Via Crucis—the route that Jesus followed on the way to his crucifixion in Calvary. They stopped at points along the way to reflect on Jesus’s suffering.

Over time, Christian communities began recreating the Via Crucis in their own churches. By the 14th century, it became a common Lenten devotion, making this special pilgrimage more accessible to all Catholics. The Stations of the Cross can now be found in almost every church worldwide!

Today, the Stations of the Cross are an integral part of Catholic life, with many schools and parishes hosting regular devotions during Lent. This tradition has become a way for Catholic schools to invite their students to walk with Jesus in a deeply personal and transformative way. In many Catholic schools, these stations are displayed in hallways or classrooms, where students can pause and reflect on the events of Christ’s Passion. The practice often takes place during Lenten liturgies or as part of a school-wide devotion.

The Meaning of the Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross offer a profound reflection on the Passion of Jesus Christ. The stations feature moments in Jesus’s suffering. Through these stations, Catholics are reminded that Jesus Christ understands our suffering and is always with us. As they walk alongside Jesus on the Stations of the Cross, families have an opportunity to consider Jesus’s sacrifice and witness his love despite rejection, loneliness, and suffering.

The cross is not just a symbol of Christ’s suffering. It is a symbol of salvation and hope. Jesus Christ offers new life and redemption through his suffering, death, and resurrection. The Stations of the Cross are a reminder, during Lent or anytime, that Jesus is always with each of us—faculty, staff, students, and families—offering his mercy and love. For each of us, the Stations of the Cross offer a powerful opportunity to reflect on the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the hope of resurrection that define the Easter season.

How to Integrate the Stations of the Cross in Your Catholic School

For Catholic schools, the Stations of the Cross are an opportunity to engage faculty, staff, students, and their families in meaningful Lenten practices. The Stations of the Cross Prayer and Reflection Guide can also lead participants through the stations with prayer, Scripture, reflection, and discussion. Even if your school isn’t organizing a Stations of the Cross experience, this resource can be shared with your staff and families to support their personal Lenten practices during this penitential and prayerful season.

Here are several ways Catholic school leaders can incorporate the devotion into the school community:

Set Aside Time for the Devotion During Lent

Lent is a season of prayer and reflection, and the Stations of the Cross provide a unique opportunity to focus on the Passion of Christ. Schools can set aside time each week during Lent for students and faculty to gather for this devotion, whether it is through a school-wide prayer service or in individual classrooms.

Consider organizing a Lenten prayer service where students take turns reading reflections at each station or host a school-wide Stations of the Cross devotion where classes walk the path together. These practices provide an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and community-building. Depending on the schedule or available space, families can be included in these opportunities.

Keep It Simple and Engaging for Students

The devotion to the Stations of the Cross can be made accessible to students of all ages, including younger children. Using resources such as guided prayer cards, Scripture readings, or videos that explain each station can help students connect with the meaning behind each event. Here are a few ways to involve students of all ages in your Catholic school.

• Use art: Provide craft supplies for students to design or decorate images, markers, or banners for each Station of the Cross.
• Act them out: Consider a living Stations of the Cross in which students participate in dramatizations of the stations.
• Sing and pray: Learn and sign traditional hymns associated with each station together, like “Were You There?” or “We Remember.”
• Invite students or classes to compose short prayers that your community can pray together during participation in the devotion. This provides a way for students to express their personal faith and connect more deeply with the themes of Lent.

Older students can participate by reading Scripture, leading prayers, or guiding younger students through the stations. These hands-on approaches allow students to experience the devotion in a relevant and tangible way.

Reflect as a School Community

After experiencing the Stations of the Cross, provide time for students to reflect and discuss what they’ve experienced. This can be done in small groups, classes, or expanded groups. Encourage participants or students to reflect on open-ended questions, such as:

• How can we see Christ’s love for us in this station?
• What does this station teach us about sacrifice and service?
• How can we serve others, especially those who are suffering?

The Stations of the Cross are a powerful opportunity for spiritual formation in Catholic schools, particularly during the season of Lent. By incorporating this devotion into the school’s Lenten practices, Catholic administrators and catechists can help staff, students, and families walk “the way of the cross” as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, reflect on his sacrifice, and embrace the hope of Easter.

Looking for more ways to celebrate Lent at your Catholic school? Find a daily activity for each of Lent’s 40 days and learn more about this penitential season of preparation.