The Development and Practice of the Stations of the Cross
Theresa Ann Sherman

This paper was done as a Theology Thesis at the University of Notre Dame under the direction of Professor Max Johnson.

December 15, 2004

download paper as a pdf

The Stations of the Cross is an important Christian devotion that helps communities and individuals center themselves on the pivotal event of Christ's Passion. While the Passion has been depicted in artwork, movies, plays, and music, the ritual devotion of the Stations of the Cross is a significant and prayerful way to enter into the mystery. The way this devotion has developed from its early stages to the twenty-first century demands attention and reflection.

In this essay I will trace the origins of the Stations of the Cross in the early centuries of Christianity and show how the devotion developed over time. Part of that development is the standardization of how the Stations of the Cross were to be practiced. Another important element to focus on is what interpretation was given to the Stations at their onset and what is given now. I will conclude by offering what a current model of the Stations of the Cross might look like, as well as communal reflections on the Stations.