Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step devotion that commemorates Jesus’s last day on earth, beginning with the condemnation before Pontius Pilate. The stations are commonly used as a pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, we recall and meditate on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then we move to the next station until all 14 are complete.

We invite you to take your pilgrimage through the prayers and images on this page. The images are taken from the small bas-reliefs in the church of St Mary Magdalene’s, Adelaide.

At each station there are some words from the Stabat Mater. A link to a recording of this hymn appears after the 14th station.

Hymn - Sweet the moments, rich in blessing,

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing,
Which before the Cross I spend,
Life, and health, and peace possessing
From the sinner's dying Friend.

Here I stay, for ever viewing
Mercy streaming in his Blood;
Precious drops, my soul bedewing,
Plead and claim my peace with God.

Truly blessed is this station,
Low before his Cross to lie,
While I see divine compassion
Floating in his languid eye.

Lord, in ceaseless contemplation
Fix our hearts and eyes on thee,
Till we taste thy full salvation,
And unveiled thy glories see.

Opening prayers

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection.

Let us pray.

Silence

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord . Amen.

The First Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

The First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death

Now the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then be asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather a riot was beginning, be took some water and washed his bands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27: 20-26

God did not spare his own Son:
But delivered him up for us all.

Let us pray

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them
that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

At the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus at the last.

The Second Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus takes up his cross

The soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27: 27-31

The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all:
For the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Let us pray

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

Through her soul, of joy bereaved,
Bowed with anguish, deeply grieved,
Now at length the sword hath passed.

The Third Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus falls the first time

Jesus had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, lo make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2: 17-18

Surely he has borne our griefs:
And carried our sorrows.

Let us pray

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

O, that blessed one, grief-laden,
Blessed Mother, blessed Maiden,
Mother of the all-holy One.

The Fourth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus meets his mother

The angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.” Luke 1: 30-33

A sword will pierce your own soul also:
And fill your heart with bitter pain.

Let us pray

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

O that silent, ceaseless mourning,
O those dim eyes, never turning
From that wondrous, suffering Son.

The Fifth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his Cross

As they led Jesus away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. Luke 23: 26

Whoever does not bear the cross and come after me:
Cannot be my disciple.

Let us pray

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

Who on Christ's dear Mother gazing,
In her trouble so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep?

The Sixth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

The king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you in the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you have me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25: 34-40

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts:
Show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Let us pray

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

Who on Christ's dear Mother thinking,
Such a cup of sorrow drinking,
Would not share her sorrow deep?

The Seventh Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus falls the second time

Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. Isaiah 53: 4-5

But as for me, I am a worm and no man:
Scorned by all and despised by the people.

Let us pray

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

For his people's sins, in anguish,
There she saw the victim languish,
Bleed in torments, bleed and die.

The Eighth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

A great number of the people followed Jesus, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Luke 23: 27-28

Those who sowed with tears:
Shall reap with songs of joy.

Let us pray

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

Saw the Lord's anointed taken;
Saw her Child in death forsaken;
Heard his last expiring cry.

The Ninth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus falls the third time

If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2: 20-24

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter:
And like a sheep that before its shearers is mute,
so he opened not his mouth.

Let us pray

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them
that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

In the Passion of my Maker,
Be my sinful soul partaker,
May I bear with her my part.

The Tenth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus is stripped of his garments

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfil what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” John 19: 23-24

They gave me gall to eat:
And when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.

Let us pray

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

Of his Passion bear the token,
In a spirit bowed and broken
Bear his death within my heart.

The Eleventh Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus is nailed to the Cross

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23: 33-34

They pierce my hands and my feet:
They stare and gloat over me.

Let us pray

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

May his wounds both wound and heal me,
He enkindle, cleanse, anneal me,
Be his Cross my hope and stay.

The Twelfth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus dies on the Cross

It was about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was tom in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23: 44-46

Christ for us became obedient to death:
Even death on a cross.

Let us pray

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

May he, when the mountains quiver,
From that flame which burns for ever
Shield me on the judgement day.

The Thirteenth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus is taken down from the Cross

Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate lo let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. John 19: 38

Her tears run down her cheeks:
And she has none to comfort her.

Let us pray

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

As you move to the next Station think on these words from the Stabat Mater.

Jesu, may thy Cross defend me,
And thy saving death befriend me,
Cherished by thy deathless grace.

The Fourteenth Station

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus is laid in the Tomb

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19: 40-42

You will not abandon me to the grave:
Nor let your holy One see corruption.

Let us pray

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Have mercy on us.

The procession moves to the next Station while the Stabat Mater is sung.

When to dust my dust returneth,
Grant a soul that to thee yearneth
In thy Paradise a place.

Concluding prayers before the altar

Saviour of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord.

Let us pray.
We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in his own blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.