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This holy devotion commemorates the various incidents that occurred during our Lord’s painful journey with His cross from the tribunal of Pilate to the hill of Calvary. It is tradition that the Blessed Virgin daily made a visit to the scenes of Christ’s Passion, and from the earliest times Christians flocked to Jerusalem to visit those holy places. For those who were unable to make such a pilgrimage, but who wished in spirit to accompany it, the custom arose throughout Europe of setting up representations of the different incidents of the Passion, which, since 1731, have been definitely restricted to our present fourteen stations.

Those who perform devoutly the Stations of the Cross may gain all the Indulgences which have ever been granted by Popes to the faithful who visit in person the sacred places in Jerusalem. All that is required is to meditate, however briefly and according to one’s ability, on the Passion of our Lord, and to go from one station to another. No vocal prayers are necessary, but the following formula of prayers is generally recommended: