The Stations of the Cross have formed part of Christian devotion at Passiontide for many centuries because they enable us to engage actively with the path of suffering walked by Jesus. They originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem and
wanted to follow literally in the footsteps of Jesus, tracing the path from Pilate’s house to Calvary, pausing for prayer and devotion at various points. Eventually those pilgrims brought the practice back to their home countries, and, ever since then,
Christians of differing traditions have used this form of devotion.

In the late fourteenth century, the Franciscans were given the responsibility for the holy places of Jerusalem and they erected tableaux to aid the devotion of visitors. These kinds of images are now commonplace inside churches around the world, and
occasionally outside them too.

Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-34)