During the Season of Lent, it is traditional to meditate on the Passion of Jesus Christ through what are called Stations of the Cross. Each Station depicts a moment of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice out of love for us. Also known as the “Way of the Cross,” the Via Crucis, and the Via Dolorosa; the Stations of the Cross commemorate 14 key events on the day of Christ’s crucifixion, his final walk through the streets of Jerusalem, carrying the Cross.
The Stations originated in medieval Europe when wars prevented Christian pilgrims from visiting the Holy Land. European artists created works depicting scenes of Christ’s journey to Calvary. The faithful installed these sculptures or paintings at intervals along a procession route, inside the parish church or outdoors. Performing the devotion meant walking the entire route, stopping to pray at each “station.” Today, images of the Stations (or simple crosses representing them) are on display in almost all Catholic churches. They serve mainly as a focus for Lenten worship services, but the Stations can also be prayed privately, at any time of the year.
This week, we would like to share a short reflection from a booklet of Stations of the Cross meditations by our Co-Founder, Deacon Tom Fox. The booklet is available from Pilgrim Center of Hope for $5.00.
Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
We adore you O Christ, and we praise you,
Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
Seeing that Jesus had been weakened by the cruel treatment that he experienced, the soldiers began to fear that he would not be
able to complete the tortuous journey to Calvary, so they forced Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry the cross.
When we help others to carry their crosses for love of Jesus, we lighten the weight of Jesus’ cross. Jesus said that whatever we do
for someone in need, we do for him.
Jesus, help us to be aware of the frequent opportunities to assist others by our prayers and actions so that they may have hope as they experience your mercy.
Lord, have mercy!
Learn More About the Stations In Jerusalem
Listen as Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they retrace the Via Crucis - the Way of the Cross - in the Old City of Jerusalem in the Holy Land. For over 1,000 years, the Christian faithful have traced the path that tradition says Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.
During this program we will take you to the former Antonia Fortress, commemorate each of the 14 Stations of the Cross which concludes at Calvary in the Church of the Holy Seplchre.
Our discussion will also:
- Draw attention to the suffering & death of Jesus
- Talk about when the Stations became a familiar feature in every Catholic church
- Mention how the Via Crucis serves as a substitute pilgrimage
- How the Way of the Cross relates to the life of every person
Pray with Us
If you are looking for a place to pray the Stations of the Cross, you are welcome to visit Pilgrim Center of Hope!
Outdoor Stations of the Cross - Pilgrim Center of Hope's Stations of the Cross pilgrim pathway is a landscaped, fine gravel pathway that winds through the Prayer Garden on our acreage. The Garden includes various flora from the Holy Land, as well as a 'Boat' seating area reminiscent of the boats Holy Land pilgrims use on the Sea of Galilee today.
- A few benches are included throughout the pilgrim pathway for periodic rest.
- Seating is available inside the boat, with shade sails.
- Picnic tables are available if you would like to eat during your visit. Kindly keep this holy ground clean by picking up any trash.
Indoor Stations - Pilgrims who prefer not to walk outside may pray the Stations of the Cross in Gethsemane Chapel. Miniature Stations of the Cross are hung on the Chapel walls, each embedded with a piece of soil from that very Station in Jerusalem.
Check our Events Calendar to ensure we are not hosting a private event at the time you plan to visit. Otherwise, our hours are 8:30am-5:30pm Monday through Friday.
Deacon Tom Fox, K.C.H.S., and Mary Jane Fox, D.C.H.S. are the Co-Founders & Co-Directors of Pilgrim Center of Hope. The two left their careers after a profound conversion experience and began working full-time in ministry at their parish in 1986. After several years and having impacted tens of thousands of families, the Foxes founded Pilgrim Center of Hope in 1993 as a response to the Church’s call for a New Evangelization. Deacon Tom is an invested member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Commander Knight of the Holy Sepulchre.
Pilgrim Center of Hope provides events, experiences, and media; initiating a desire in people to encounter Jesus Christ in their daily journey of life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
