The Stations of the Cross

You will find these distinctive Stations of the Cross on the walls of the church.  We have included some prayers and meditations which you might like to use with them.

These representations have been designed and embroidered by local artist Gillian Riches.  They tell in symbolic form the story of Good Friday from the time Christ was condemned to death to the time he was laid in his tomb.

Click on the images to see a larger version.

Station 1

Jesus is condemned to death   

The ewer and basin symbolise innocence and purity and also refer to Pilate washing his hands when condemning Christ to death.

Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the Cross.

Jesus, you were innocent yet you consented to suffer for me. I am guilty: bring me to hate my sins and accept your forgiveness.

Station 2

Jesus receives his Cross  

Thorns and thorn branches signify grief, tribulation and Sin.

Consider how Jesus, in making this journey with the Cross on his shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us to his Father the death he was about to undergo.

Jesus, grant me by the power of your Cross cheerfully to face the trials of my calling as a Christian and to be ready to take up my cross and follow.

Station 3

Jesus falls the first time under his Cross

A slanting cross indicates that Christ fell under its weight on his way to Calvary.    

Consider the first fall of Jesus under his Cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, his head was crowned with thorns; he had lost a great quantity of blood. So weakened he could scarcely walk, he yet had to carry this great load upon his shoulders. The soldiers struck him rudely, and he fell several times.

Jesus, you carried the weight of my sins with your Cross. May the thought of your burden make me watchful and save me from sin.

Station 4

Jesus meets his mother

The iris rivals the lily as the flower of the Virgin Mary.

Consider this meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Their looks became like so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.

Jesus, you felt grief at your Mother's sorrow: have mercy on me and ask her to pray for me. Mary, sorrowful Mother, pray for me.

Station 5

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross

A hand under the cross is used to indicate the help he gave to Christ.

Consider how his cruel tormentors, seeing Jesus was on the point of expiring, and fearing he would die on the way, whereas they wished him to die the shameful death of the Cross, constrained Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross behind our Lord.

Lord Jesus, make me willing to bear my cross with you: may I not shrink from suffering but be glad to be given the chance of sharing your calling to suffer.

Station 6

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

There is a tradition that Veronica dried the sweat from the face of Christ on his way to Calvary with her veil, and that the imprint of His face remained on it.

Consider how the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so ill-used, and bathed in sweat and blood, wiped his face with a towel, on which was lent the impression of his holy countenance.

Jesus, as I see your suffering, may I desire more and more to love you, to comfort you and serve you.

Jesus falls a second time

At each fall another cross is added to indicate the number of times Jesus fell.

Consider the second fall of Jesus under the Cross; a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds in his head and members.

Jesus, falling again under the weight of my sin, how often have I hurt you. Make me ready to bear anything rather than grieve you again.

Station 8

Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem

The cross indicates Christ and the female symbols are the women.

Consider how these women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in such a pitiable state, streaming with blood, as he walked along. 'Daughters of Jerusalem,'said he,'weep not for me, but for yourselves and for your children'.

Loving Saviour, I mourn for the pain you endure because of the evil I have done. Make me hate all that is evil.

Station 9

Jesus falls a third time

A slanting cross indicates that Christ fell under its weight on his way to Calvary.     

Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of his executioners excessive who tried to hasten his steps when he could scarcely move.

Jesus, by this third most painful fall pardon my most frequent falls into sin: may the thought of your sufferings make me more faithful.

Station 10

Christ is stripped of his garments

The red and brown drapes are to represent the robe of Christ which was traditionally red or purple.

Consider the violence with which Jesus was stripped by the executioners. His inner garments adhered to his torn flesh, and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them. Take pity on your Saviour thus cruelly treated.

Lord Jesus, strip me, I pray, of all pretence, conceit and pride and give me such humility in this life that I may reign with you for ever

Station 11

Jesus is nailed to the Cross 

Christ is the Cross. The nails because of their use in the Crucifixion are a symbol of the Passion. On most crucifixes there are three nails, perhaps with symbolic reference to the Trinity.

Consider how Jesus, having been placed upon the Cross, extended his hands, and offered to his Eternal Father the sacrifice of his life for our salvation. Those barbarians fastened him with nails, and then, securing the Cross, allowed him to die with anguish on this infamous gibbet

Jesus, you are nailed to the Cross: fasten my heart there also, that sharing in your grief I may come to see your glory.

Station 12

Jesus dies on the Cross

Christ is the Cross. The Pelican is said to have, of all creatures, the greatest love for its offspring, and came to symbolise Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, because of his love for all mankind.

 Consider how Jesus, being consumed with anguish after three hours agony on the Cross, abandoned himself to the weight of his body, bowed his head and died.

Lord Jesus, dying on the Cross, I worship you. In your death I trust and hope for grace here and for joy in heaven.

Station 13

Jesus is taken down from the Cross

 Jesus is the Cross. The ladder is an instrument of Passion used in the descent from the cross. The sun and moon are used to indicate the sorrow of all creation at the death of Christ.

Consider how,after our Lord has expired, two of his disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took him down from the Cross and placed him in the arms of his afflicted Mother, who received him with unutterable tenderness, and pressed him to her bosom.

Mary, Mother of Jesus, you bear in your arms your only Son, put to death for my sin. Pray for me that when I come to die, he may take me into his arms for ever.

Station 14

Jesus is laid in the sepulchre

 The presence of the owl in the Crucifixion becomes an attribute of Christ, who sacrificed himself to save mankind, “to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death" (Luke 1.70).

The white linen cloth over the chalice symbolises the linen in which the body of Christ was enshrouded. The chalice is symbolic of the sacrifice of Christ.

Consider how the disciples, accompanied by his holy Mother, carried the body of Jesus to bury it. They closed the tomb, and all came sorrowfully away.

Lord Jesus, your body rests in the grave. Give me grace that I may keep my body in temperance, soberness and chastity; so, when you come to judge the world, it may be renewed in the glory of your Resurrection. Grant that I, having followed your way of sorrows, may be ready to meet you when you call me to you.