Stations of the Cross Program

As you begin the journey through the stations, we invite you to center yourself with this prayer:

Help us mercifully, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray, saying:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. Amen.

Stations Quick-Guide

Jesus is condemned to death

Location: Rumple House, front right lawn (natural area with the bird bath)


We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And they all condemned him and said, “He deserves to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat. Then he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

Prayer:
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Reflection:
Pontius Pilate washed his hands when he turned Jesus over, proclaiming himself innocent of Jesus’s death. Take a moment to mimic washing your hands. As you do, imagine Pilate washing his hands of Jesus’s death. Do you think washing his hands absolved him of guilt in Jesus’s death? Now think about ways you’ve tried to wash your hands of responsibilities in your life. Were you successful, or was the responsibility still at least partly in your hands? Now picture Jesus in this moment, falsely accused and awaiting Pilate’s decision. Has there been a time in your life when you’ve been falsely accused of something? Or did you know someone who had been falsely accused and you had to decide whether to tell the truth? Picture Jesus standing next to you in those moments.

You’ll find the second station located across the Rumple House lawn beside the bench that faces Main Street and sits in front of several rhododendrons.

Jesus takes up his cross

Location: Rumple House, front left lawn

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
Jesus went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter; and like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth.

Prayer:
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection:
Jesus knew suffering throughout his lifetime, not just at this moment. Remember how, as an infant Jesus and his family were forced to flee from Herod. Recall his fasting in the wilderness, and his fervid prayers in Gethsemane. How tired he must have gotten as crowds followed him. Yet, he was “mute;” he did not complain and lash out against those in positions of authority. Think of times in your own life when you have suffered. How did you react? Were you obedient to the situation, accepting of the suffering you had to endure? Or did you experience anger or frustration at the situation? Consider how Jesus was with you during this time, silently supporting you. Is there anything that you would like to express to God about that time of suffering or about God’s care for you?

Please follow the lawn around to the left side of Rumple House.

Jesus falls for the first time


Location: Left side of Rumple House, near the ramp
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped; but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Prayer:
O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection:
Weakened from a night without sleep, the lash of the whip, and the weight of the cross, Jesus fell. Think of a time in your life that you fell–whether literally or figuratively. How did the fall feel? Did it leave a temporary scar? A more permanent mark? Were you able to get up quickly and resume your journey, or did you need a longer time to recover? Was there anyone there to help you up? Name those who helped you back onto your feet, and offer a silent prayer of gratitude for those people.

Please head over to the near front corner of Rumple’s sanctuary.

Jesus meets his afflicted mother

Location: Front corner of Rumple’s sanctuary closest to Rumple House

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
To what can I liken you, to what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What likeness can I use to comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall end.

Prayer:
O God, who willed that in the suffering of your Son a sword of grief should pierce the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother: Mercifully grant that your Church, having shared with her in his suffering, may be made worthy to share in the joys of his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection:
St. Luke tells us that a sword pierced the heart of Mary. How she must have wanted to help her son as he passed by on the way of the cross! How she must have mourned at his death! Yet she was powerless to intervene. We ourselves are no strangers to that feeling of powerlessness when we lose friends and loved ones, whatever the cause of the separation; and we grieve despite our belief in the salvation offered by Jesus. Who comforted you when you mourned? When did you have an opportunity to offer comfort to someone who was experiencing feelings of powerlessness or  grief? Can you think of anyone who may continue to experience grief, though their loss was in the past? In what small way can you continue to support them? Say a prayer on behalf of the powerless and the sorrowful.

Please walk around to the garden area between Rumple’s sanctuary and the education building.

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross


Location: Garden area in front of Rumple’s sanctuary


We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
As they led Jesus away, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection:
Imagine Simon of Cyrene’s emotions as soldiers forced him to carry the cross as he walked behind Jesus. Do you think he felt sad? Bewildered? Frightened? Do you think he spoke with Jesus? And if so, what might he have said? What do you think it means to you to carry your own cross and follow Jesus? What cross(es) are you carrying in your life? How might Jesus be making them lighter for you?

Please head to the garden area facing BRAHM/Ginny Stevens Lane.

A woman wipes the face of Jesus

Location: Garden area facing BRAHM/Ginny Stevens Lane
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces. He was despised, and we esteemed him not. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.

Prayer:
O God, who before the crucifixion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our crosses, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection:
Isaiah foreshadowed Jesus’s suffering, calling him a “man of sorrows.” But in part, those sorrows were intensified because people rejected him and his great love for us. Still, he continued to care for us, longing to make us whole. Have you ever purposely or inadvertently rejected Jesus? Have there been times when you could have turned to him, or when you resisted his love? Is there anything that continues to interfere with your relationship with him? Say a prayer of thanks to Jesus for his great love, and ask him to strengthen your relationship with him. 

Please walk to the front corner of Rumple’s lawn closest to Main Street/Ginny Stevens Lane.

Jesus falls a second time

Location: front corner of Rumple’s lawn closest to Main Street/Ginny Stevens Lane

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Jesus was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.

Prayer:
Almighty and ever living God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection:
Jesus fell again. Imagine what he was feeling in that moment, physically and emotionally. Picture yourself following along in the crowd. Are you brave enough to help Jesus back to his feet? Is there a time in your life you helped someone who had fallen, perhaps even fallen repeatedly? Name that person in your heart and ask for God’s blessing and mercy for the times of falling. Then thank God for the strength to help those who have fallen.

Please follow the sidewalk along Main Street toward Ginny Stevens Ln. Use the crosswalk to walk over to St. Mary’s for the remaining stations. You’ll find the eighth station at St. Mary’s lych gate nearest the crosswalk. [TBD]

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Location: St. Mary’s lych gate nearest the crosswalk. [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
There followed after Jesus a great multitude of the people, and among them were women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” 

Prayer:
Teach your Church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection:
Jesus knew that his suffering was about to end, and he trusted his Father. But he also knew how hard it is for people to love others unconditionally, especially when that means having to give up something on behalf of others. All too often, our complacency or selfishness affects those around us, and leaves the world a little worse for those who come after us. What are we doing or failing to do that will hurt future generations? Ask yourself this: What small or large actions can I take to be more caring of those around me and of  future generations, including my children and grandchildren? Can you make a pledge to be more responsible with one specific action? Consider writing your pledge in the notes app on your phone or in an email to yourself so that you may revisit it from time to time.  Ask God to strengthen your resolve and to help all of us to be better servants.

Please walk to St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard, called the Close, located to the right of the sanctuary building as you’re facing the church from Main Street. [TBD]

Jesus falls a third time

Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
Though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. My teeth grind on gravel, and I cower in ashes. “Remember, O Lord, my affliction and bitterness, the wormwood and the gall!”

Prayer:
O God, by the suffering and death of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection:
Is there something in your life that has caused you to fall over and over again? We use the expression, “tripping us up.” What are some of the things or events in your life that have tripped you up? Have you ever prayed for something or someone  too many times to count–a prayer asking God for help that didn’t come quickly or in the form you wanted? The prayer above talks about us glorying in the cross and gladly suffering shame and loss for the sake of Jesus. How do you feel about that prayer? Does your attitude shift at all when you consider the shame and loss Jesus experienced during his walk to Golgotha?

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

Jesus is stripped of his garments

Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And they divided his garments among them by casting lots. This was to fulfill the scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.” 

Prayer:
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that you will reveal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection:
To save humanity, Jesus became like us in every aspect of true humanity, even subjecting himself to the worst types of torture and humiliation. At this station, think about just what Jesus was willing to go through for us. Think, too, about all of the  human-instigated humiliations and suffering occurring around the world: injustices, oppression, wars, and human displacements. Consider those who struggle to have enough clothing to keep warm and those with inadequate food supplies. Jesus charged us to love all others, without exception, and to help end humiliation, want, and suffering wherever we find it. At this station, ask God to help us to see injustice and to end it. Pray for the strength to intervene when you see someone injured mentally or physically, and to find ways to provide for those in need. Finally, ask for the grace to endure your own sufferings in hope and trust.

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

Jesus is nailed to the cross

Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]


We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
When they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him; and with him they crucified two criminals, one on the right, the other on the left, and Jesus between them. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” 

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

Reflection:
What have you used a hammer for recently? To hang a picture? To build a raised garden bed container? To mend a fence? Can you imagine the weight of the hammer in your hand? We use hammers and nails as tools to make our lives better, but the crucifixion puts on display humanity’s ability to take tools and turn them into instruments of great suffering and death. Ask God to show you ways that your own humanity may be broken and how you may be misusing tools at your disposal. Are you able to repent of any misuse God reveals to you? Now picture Jesus in this terrible moment of suffering. He took the burden of our sins on the cross, providing a grace and forgiveness that extends to us all and that God calls us to share with others. Offer up a prayer of thanks for what Christ endured.

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

Jesus dies on the cross

Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” And then, crying with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And he bowed his head, and handed over his spirit.  

Prayer:
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen. 

Reflection:
This is a difficult station: Jesus was dying, and he seems to have been abandoned by nearly everyone. Yet his mother and the beloved disciple John faithfully stood by Jesus, though his suffering was nearly too much for them to bear. Pause at this station; really look at Jesus and what he is doing. Even though he was in agony, even though he felt forsaken, yet he continued to entrust himself to God. But before that, what did he do? He thought of his family and friends, asking Mary and John to take care of each other! Then, he breathed his last. Today, as we meditate on this station, as we think about the last moments of Jesus’s earthly life and his complete surrender to God, let us prayerfully consider our reactions. Does it seem hard to encounter Jesus’s death; does it feel too difficult to faithfully stand by when someone we know is suffering or even dying? Have we done everything we can to make sure our loved ones know how much they are loved–right now, today? Are we, like Jesus, able to completely surrender ourselves to God? Let us consider what this station is speaking to us today, and ask God for what we need. 

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother

Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]


We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
All you who pass by, behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. My eyes are spent with weeping; my soul is in tumult; my heart is poured out in grief because of the downfall of my people. 

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that confident of your mercy we may look forward to a day beyond suffering and sorrow. Amen.

Reflection:
What grief(s) have you had to handle in your life? Name them out loud or in your heart. Have you experienced a sudden grief you didn’t expect but that was placed in your hands nonetheless? Who walked with you during that time of grief to carry some of your burden? Name out loud or in your heart those family and friends who walked with you in your time of grief. Take a moment to share your burden of grief with Mary, and picture how you might have tried to help her carry her burden if you had been there with her when Jesus died.

Please walk from the Close (courtyard) to the Mary Garden for the final station. [TBD]

Final Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

Location: Mary Garden at St. Mary of the Hills, or far lych gate [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb. 

Prayer:
O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have shared with him the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection:
Joseph of Arimathea may seem like a relatively unimportant figure in the story of Jesus, a wealthy man who offered a tomb for Jesus’s body. But he is important enough to appear in all four of the gospels. He was by all accounts a secret follower of Jesus, a cautious man who had a political position to uphold as a member of the Sanhedrin. To Joseph, it must have seemed that the promise of the Messiah had come to an end. In Joseph of Arimathea we see a relatively unimportant, timid, and grieving man, but one who was able to overcome fear and show his love for Jesus and for Jesus’s family and followers. Despite his cautiousness, Joseph summoned the courage to go directly to Pilate and ask for Jesus’s body. Burying Jesus would have given some small comfort to Mary and the followers of Jesus. In Joseph, we may see something of ourselves when we ask, “Who am I?–I’m just not that important!” Or when we are afraid to openly speak up when we see injustice or someone in need. Joseph may have been thinking he was doing too little, too late. But he did it anyway. Let us reflect on any feelings we may have of inadequacy or fear, and ask God for the strength to do what we can, when we can.  

Concluding prayer:
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the life of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for his unfailing love for us, for his willingness to live and die as one of us. We give you thanks for the model of righteousness that he has provided for us. And, most of all, Father, we thank you for making us part of your Son’s eternal kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit that we may know and love him throughout our lives. Help us to say yes to Christ’s call to follow him and grant us strength and courage to love and serve him by loving and serving each other.   

To you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

First station: Jesus is condemned to death
Location: Rumple House, front right lawn (natural area with the bird bath)

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And they all condemned him and said, “He deserves to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat. Then he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

Prayer
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.Reflection
Pontius Pilate washed his hands when he turned Jesus over, proclaiming himself innocent of Jesus’s death. Take a moment to mimic washing your hands. As you do, imagine Pilate washing his hands of Jesus’s death. Do you think washing his hands absolved him of guilt in Jesus’s death? Now think about ways you’ve tried to wash your hands of responsibilities in your life. Were you successful, or was the responsibility still at least partly in your hands? Now picture Jesus in this moment, falsely accused and awaiting Pilate’s decision. Has there been a time in your life when you’ve been falsely accused of something? Or did you know someone who had been falsely accused and you had to decide whether to tell the truth? Picture Jesus standing next to you in those moments.

You’ll find the second station located across the Rumple House lawn beside the bench that faces Main Street and sits in front of several rhododendrons.

Second station: Jesus takes up his cross
Location: Rumple House, front left lawn

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

Jesus went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter; and like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth.

Prayer
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection
Jesus knew suffering throughout his lifetime, not just at this moment. Remember how, as an infant Jesus and his family were forced to flee from Herod. Recall his fasting in the wilderness, and his fervid prayers in Gethsemane. How tired he must have gotten as crowds followed him. Yet, he was “mute;” he did not complain and lash out against those in positions of authority. Think of times in your own life when you have suffered. How did you react? Were you obedient to the situation, accepting of the suffering you had to endure? Or did you experience anger or frustration at the situation? Consider how Jesus was with you during this time, silently supporting you. Is there anything that you would like to express to God about that time of suffering or about God’s care for you?

Please follow the lawn around to the left side of Rumple House.

Third station: Jesus falls for the first time
Location: Left side of Rumple House, near the ramp

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped; but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Prayer
O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection
Weakened from a night without sleep, the lash of the whip, and the weight of the cross, Jesus fell. Think of a time in your life that you fell–whether literally or figuratively. How did the fall feel? Did it leave a temporary scar? A more permanent mark? Were you able to get up quickly and resume your journey, or did you need a longer time to recover? Was there anyone there to help you up? Name those who helped you back onto your feet, and offer a silent prayer of gratitude for those people.

Please head over to the near front corner of Rumple’s sanctuary.

Fourth station: Jesus meets his afflicted mother
Location: Front corner of Rumple’s sanctuary closest to Rumple House

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

To what can I liken you, to what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What likeness can I use to comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall end.

Prayer
O God, who willed that in the suffering of your Son a sword of grief should pierce the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother: Mercifully grant that your Church, having shared with her in his suffering, may be made worthy to share in the joys of his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection
St. Luke tells us that a sword pierced the heart of Mary. How she must have wanted to help her son as he passed by on the way of the cross! How she must have mourned at his death! Yet she was powerless to intervene. We ourselves are no strangers to that feeling of powerlessness when we lose friends and loved ones, whatever the cause of the separation; and we grieve despite our belief in the salvation offered by Jesus. Who comforted you when you mourned? When did you have an opportunity to offer comfort to someone who was experiencing feelings of powerlessness or  grief? Can you think of anyone who may continue to experience grief, though their loss was in the past? In what small way can you continue to support them? Say a prayer on behalf of the powerless and the sorrowful.

Please walk around to the garden area between Rumple’s sanctuary and the education building.

Fifth station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
Location: Garden area in front of Rumple’s sanctuary

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

As they led Jesus away, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” 

Prayer
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection
Imagine Simon of Cyrene’s emotions as soldiers forced him to carry the cross as he walked behind Jesus. Do you think he felt sad? Bewildered? Frightened? Do you think he spoke with Jesus? And if so, what might he have said? What do you think it means to you to carry your own cross and follow Jesus? What cross(es) are you carrying in your life? How might Jesus be making them lighter for you?

Please head to the garden area facing BRAHM/Ginny Stevens Lane.

Sixth station: A woman wipes the face of Jesus
Location: Garden area facing BRAHM/Ginny Stevens Lane

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces. He was despised, and we esteemed him not. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.

Prayer
O God, who before the crucifixion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our crosses, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection
Isaiah foreshadowed Jesus’s suffering, calling him a “man of sorrows.” But in part, those sorrows were intensified because people rejected him and his great love for us. Still, he continued to care for us, longing to make us whole. Have you ever purposely or inadvertently rejected Jesus? Have there been times when you could have turned to him, or when you resisted his love? Is there anything that continues to interfere with your relationship with him? Say a prayer of thanks to Jesus for his great love, and ask him to strengthen your relationship with him. 

Please walk to the front corner of Rumple’s lawn closest to Main Street/Ginny Stevens Lane.

Seventh station: Jesus falls a second time
Location: front corner of Rumple’s lawn closest to Main Street/Ginny Stevens Lane

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Jesus was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.

Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection
Jesus fell again. Imagine what he was feeling in that moment, physically and emotionally. Picture yourself following along in the crowd. Are you brave enough to help Jesus back to his feet? Is there a time in your life you helped someone who had fallen, perhaps even fallen repeatedly? Name that person in your heart and ask for God’s blessing and mercy for the times of falling. Then thank God for the strength to help those who have fallen.

Please follow the sidewalk along Main Street toward Ginny Stevens Ln. Use the crosswalk to walk over to St. Mary’s for the remaining stations. You’ll find the eighth station at St. Mary’s lych gate nearest the crosswalk. [TBD]

Eighth station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Location: St. Mary’s lych gate nearest the crosswalk. [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

There followed after Jesus a great multitude of the people, and among them were women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” 

Prayer
Teach your Church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection
Jesus knew that his suffering was about to end, and he trusted his Father. But he also knew how hard it is for people to love others unconditionally, especially when that means having to give up something on behalf of others. All too often, our complacency or selfishness affects those around us, and leaves the world a little worse for those who come after us. What are we doing or failing to do that will hurt future generations? Ask yourself this: What small or large actions can I take to be more caring of those around me and of  future generations, including my children and grandchildren? Can you make a pledge to be more responsible with one specific action? Consider writing your pledge in the notes app on your phone or in an email to yourself so that you may revisit it from time to time.  Ask God to strengthen your resolve and to help all of us to be better servants.

Please walk to St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard, called the Close, located to the right of the sanctuary building as you’re facing the church from Main Street. [TBD]

Ninth station: Jesus falls a third time
Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

Though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. My teeth grind on gravel, and I cower in ashes. “Remember, O Lord, my affliction and bitterness, the wormwood and the gall!”

Prayer
O God, by the suffering and death of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection
Is there something in your life that has caused you to fall over and over again? We use the expression, “tripping us up.” What are some of the things or events in your life that have tripped you up? Have you ever prayed for something or someone  too many times to count–a prayer asking God for help that didn’t come quickly or in the form you wanted? The prayer above talks about us glorying in the cross and gladly suffering shame and loss for the sake of Jesus. How do you feel about that prayer? Does your attitude shift at all when you consider the shame and loss Jesus experienced during his walk to Golgotha?

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

Tenth station: Jesus is stripped of his garments
Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And they divided his garments among them by casting lots. This was to fulfill the scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.” 

Prayer
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that you will reveal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Reflection
To save humanity, Jesus became like us in every aspect of true humanity, even subjecting himself to the worst types of torture and humiliation. At this station, think about just what Jesus was willing to go through for us. Think, too, about all of the  human-instigated humiliations and suffering occurring around the world: injustices, oppression, wars, and human displacements. Consider those who struggle to have enough clothing to keep warm and those with inadequate food supplies. Jesus charged us to love all others, without exception, and to help end humiliation, want, and suffering wherever we find it. At this station, ask God to help us to see injustice and to end it. Pray for the strength to intervene when you see someone injured mentally or physically, and to find ways to provide for those in need. Finally, ask for the grace to endure your own sufferings in hope and trust.

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

Eleventh station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

When they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him; and with him they crucified two criminals, one on the right, the other on the left, and Jesus between them. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” 

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

Reflection
What have you used a hammer for recently? To hang a picture? To build a raised garden bed container? To mend a fence? Can you imagine the weight of the hammer in your hand? We use hammers and nails as tools to make our lives better, but the crucifixion puts on display humanity’s ability to take tools and turn them into instruments of great suffering and death. Ask God to show you ways that your own humanity may be broken and how you may be misusing tools at your disposal. Are you able to repent of any misuse God reveals to you? Now picture Jesus in this terrible moment of suffering. He took the burden of our sins on the cross, providing a grace and forgiveness that extends to us all and that God calls us to share with others. Offer up a prayer of thanks for what Christ endured.

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

Twelfth station: Jesus dies on the cross
Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” And then, crying with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And he bowed his head, and handed over his spirit.  

Prayer
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen. 

Reflection
This is a difficult station: Jesus was dying, and he seems to have been abandoned by nearly everyone. Yet his mother and the beloved disciple John faithfully stood by Jesus, though his suffering was nearly too much for them to bear. Pause at this station; really look at Jesus and what he is doing. Even though he was in agony, even though he felt forsaken, yet he continued to entrust himself to God. But before that, what did he do? He thought of his family and friends, asking Mary and John to take care of each other! Then, he breathed his last. Today, as we meditate on this station, as we think about the last moments of Jesus’s earthly life and his complete surrender to God, let us prayerfully consider our reactions. Does it seem hard to encounter Jesus’s death; does it feel too difficult to faithfully stand by when someone we know is suffering or even dying? Have we done everything we can to make sure our loved ones know how much they are loved–right now, today? Are we, like Jesus, able to completely surrender ourselves to God? Let us consider what this station is speaking to us today, and ask God for what we need. 

You will continue through St. Mary’s courtyard in a (counter)clockwise direction. [TBD]

Thirteenth station: The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother
Location: The Close, St. Mary of the Hills’s courtyard [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

All you who pass by, behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. My eyes are spent with weeping; my soul is in tumult; my heart is poured out in grief because of the downfall of my people. 

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that confident of your mercy we may look forward to a day beyond suffering and sorrow. Amen.

Reflection
What grief(s) have you had to handle in your life? Name them out loud or in your heart. Have you experienced a sudden grief you didn’t expect but that was placed in your hands nonetheless? Who walked with you during that time of grief to carry some of your burden? Name out loud or in your heart those family and friends who walked with you in your time of grief. Take a moment to share your burden of grief with Mary, and picture how you might have tried to help her carry her burden if you had been there with her when Jesus died.

Please walk from the Close (courtyard) to the Mary Garden for the final station. [TBD]

Fourteenth station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Location: Mary Garden at St. Mary of the Hills, or far lych gate [TBD]

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb. 

Prayer
O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have shared with him the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection
Joseph of Arimathea may seem like a relatively unimportant figure in the story of Jesus, a wealthy man who offered a tomb for Jesus’s body. But he is important enough to appear in all four of the gospels. He was by all accounts a secret follower of Jesus, a cautious man who had a political position to uphold as a member of the Sanhedrin. To Joseph, it must have seemed that the promise of the Messiah had come to an end. In Joseph of Arimathea we see a relatively unimportant, timid, and grieving man, but one who was able to overcome fear and show his love for Jesus and for Jesus’s family and followers. Despite his cautiousness, Joseph summoned the courage to go directly to Pilate and ask for Jesus’s body. Burying Jesus would have given some small comfort to Mary and the followers of Jesus. In Joseph, we may see something of ourselves when we ask, “Who am I?–I’m just not that important!” Or when we are afraid to openly speak up when we see injustice or someone in need. Joseph may have been thinking he was doing too little, too late. But he did it anyway. Let us reflect on any feelings we may have of inadequacy or fear, and ask God for the strength to do what we can, when we can.  

Concluding prayer

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the life of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for his unfailing love for us, for his willingness to live and die as one of us. We give you thanks for the model of righteousness that he has provided for us. And, most of all, Father, we thank you for making us part of your Son’s eternal kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit that we may know and love him throughout our lives. Help us to say yes to Christ’s call to follow him and grant us strength and courage to love and serve him by loving and serving each other.   

To you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Thank you for visiting
We hope you found walking the station to be a meaningful, thought-provoking experience. 

Once you have completed the outdoor stations, you are welcome to visit St. Mary’s sanctuary, open most days and time, for a time of quiet prayer and contemplation. You may notice Stations of the Cross icons along the walls inside St. Mary’s sanctuary, created by St. Mary’s member Alex Hallmark, as well as the beautiful painting of Madonna of the Hills at the front of the sanctuary, painted by Elliott Daingerfield. Learn more about St. Mary’s history. 

If your visit to us happens on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you may also want to visit Rumple’s education building where docents are available to talk with you about the two Ben Long frescoes installed at Rumple in 2025. Learn more about Rumple’s history.