Stations of the Cross
Throughout the centuries, Christians have found inspiration and strength in following the Via Dolorosa, the final journey of Jesus from his trial and condemnation to his death and burial. When doing so through the streets of Jerusalem became difficult or impossible due to political realities or distance, they would trace his steps in their churches using images or stations of the cross.
The Stations of the Cross in Saint Jean Baptiste rarely receive the attention their artistic value deserves. The eye of the worshiper looks at the monstrance and barely glances at the marble-framed stations in their inconspicuous place on the side walls. Yet these mosaic tableaux, despite their small size, reward the careful observer with a display of beauty from the traditional figures and groups executed in dominant green tones set off by bright reds and soft browns. The Gorham Company of New York designed and made these tableaux.
THE FIRST STATION
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
"Pilate brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge's bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, 'Behold, your king!' They cried out, 'Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your king?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king but Caesar' Then he handed him over to them to be crucified." (John 19:13-16)
THE SECOND STATION
JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS
"And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him." (Matthew 27:31)
THE THIRD STATION
JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME
"We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
THE FOURTH STATION
JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala." (John 19:25)
THE FIFTH STATION
SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS
"As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross." (Matthew 27:32)
THE SIXTH STATION
VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS
"Even as many were amazed at him - so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals. . . ." (Isaiah 52:14)
THE SEVENTH STATION
JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
THE EIGHTH STATION
THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM WEEPING
"A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children.'" (Luke 23:27- 28)
THE NINTH STATION
JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME
"Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)
THE TENTH STATION
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
"When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,' in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled: 'They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.'" (John 19:23-24)
THE ELEVENTH STATION
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
"When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left." (Luke 23:33)
THE TWELFTH STATION
JESUS IS RAISED UPON THE CROSS
"When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, 'It is finished.' And bowing his head, he handed over his spirit." (John 19:30)
THE THIRTEENTH STATION
JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
"After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body." (John 19:38)
THE FOURTEENTH STATION
JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHRE
"Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the preparation day; for the tomb was close by." (John 19:41-42)
