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The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) is a series of artistic representations, very often sculptural, depicting Christ Carrying the Cross to his crucifixion in the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus before he died, and the devotions using that series to commemorate the Passion, often moving physically around a set of stations. Click here to Experience the Stations of the Cross introduction There are probably more books on ‘prayer’ and ‘how to pray’ than any other Christian subject. Each person being unique should find their own way to pray and some forms will suit better than others. Likewise, on our spiritual journey we progress and change and this is reflected in how we pray. One wise saint said one time we should ‘pray as we can, and not as we can’t.’ This should give us confidence that we can find our own way best suited to our personality and the stage of life we are at. When the Apostles asked Jesus to teach them how to pray he taught them the ‘Our Father.’ Each line of this prayer, indeed each word is a disposition or attitude we should have towards God and others. For example the ‘Our’ should remind us among other things that we are all Sisters and Brothers of Christ under one Father in the Holy Spirit.This leads on to reminding us of the gifts and graces such relationships entail as well as the obligations. Both communal (the Sacraments, Prayer Groups etc) and personal prayer are necessary. Prayer can generally be divided in to three groups: vocal, meditative and contemplative prayer. The divisions are not hard and fast and flow into each other, for example praying the Rosary may lead to meditation on one of the mysteries. Meditation, usually consists of reflection on a piece of scripture using Lectio Divina, Ignation or similar type methods. Here, our own, imagination, emotions, will, desires etc are more at play while in contemplation we become more passive and allow God to become more active.As St John of the Cross reminds us: Contemplation is nothing other than a secret, peaceful and loving inflow of God, which if not hampered inflames the soul in the Spirit of love:
“The contemplative impulse is the refusal
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