The number of Stations has varied over time, however, most commonly there are 14 Stations of the Cross. Of these 14 stations, eight come directly from events recorded in the gospels. The remaining six, asterisked below, are, according to the Book of Occasional Services, “based on inferences from the Gospels or pious legends.” Some traditions will also add a fifteenth station to commemorate the resurrection. 

The 14 Stations of the Cross are:

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1. Jesus is condemned to death

2. Jesus takes up his Cross

3. Jesus falls the first time*

4. Jesus meets his affiliated mother*

5. The Cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene

6. A woman [Veronica] wipes the face of Jesus*

7. Jesus falls a second time*

8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

9. Jesus falls a third time*

10. Jesus is stripped of his garments

11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross

12. Jesus dies on the Cross

13. The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother*

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb 

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The Anglican order of service for the Way of the Cross includes the six stations that are not directly found in Scripture, but also allows for their omission. The Anglican readings and prayers for the extrabiblical stations do not directly reference the named events of those stations, but instead focus on themes associated with them, such as the suffering of Mary and Jesus’ willingness to humble himself in human form. 

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Differences in tradition between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches

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In addition to the extrabiblical stations, there are two primary differences between the Roman Catholic observance of the Way of the Cross and the Anglican observance. While both Catholics and Protestants view the Way of the Cross as a good devotion for self-examination and acknowledgment of sin, the Catholic church takes it a step further by defining it as a way to receive a plenary indulgence—“a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, ¶1471). 

Second, while there are many variations on the Stations service, most Catholic traditions put a larger emphasis on the role of Mary, with the stations in many ways being told from her point of view. The method of St. Francis Assisi, for example, includes a Hail Mary at each station, as well as part of the hymn Stabat Mater (“the mother is standing.”) While a variation of the Stabat Mater may be sung at Anglican services, within each station, it’s replaced by the Trisagion (“Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us”). 

How to pray the Stations of the Cross

There are many ways to incorporate the Way of the Cross into your Lenten observance. While the services are relatively short, they are best read slowly and with pauses for reflection. Physically moving from place to place is optional, but encouraged as a way to embody the devotion. 

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Consider one or more of these opportunities to follow the Way of the Cross:

• Talk to your local parish about hosting a Way of the Cross service on Good Friday in addition to the appointed Good Friday liturgy. The service may be led by a layperson. 

• Personally pray the stations each Friday during Lent, either in your home or while walking through your neighborhood or a local park. 

• Read a book of meditations on the stations, focusing on 2-3 stations for each week of Lent or each day of Holy Week. 

• Reflect on artwork associated with the Stations of the Cross, such as this virtual audio tour from the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

• If safe to do so, organize a prayer walk through your local community. Plan stops along the way to pray each station, and identify ways to pray for those suffering or in need within your hometown.