AGE:
Secondary |
THEME:
Christian Traditions (Lent)
NOTE: This collective worship is designed largely for Church schools. Others might like to adapt the material by introducing the general idea of the Stations of the Cross as a way for Christians to remember the last week of Jesus' life. It could also be used as a way of telling the Easter story. |
PREPARATION: |
Strictly speaking, this resource is about Holy Week, the last week in Lent and sometimes, even more specifically, about the last day in Jesus' life. It could be used as one session describing the origins and meaning of the Stations of the Cross or as a series telling the Holy Week story.
A traditional text of the Stations of the Cross and full background information can be found at www.cptryon.org/xpipassio/stations/index.html
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INTRODUCTION: |
The Stations of the Cross
- Is a ritual in which worshippers walk round a church or along a specially prepared path, following a series of pictures or carvings that tell of the last week (or day, depending on the version) in Jesus' life and of his sufferings. A prayer is said at each one.
- Is a devotion which will be practised by Christians all across the world this Lent, especially by Roman Catholics and others who share their traditions.
- Is thought to have begun in the late 4th century when pilgrims visited Jerusalem and its holy places. On Maundy Thursday they processed from Gethsemane, on the eastern side of Jerusalem (traditional site of Jesus' agony and betrayal in the garden), to the church of the Holy Sepulchre (the site of his crucifixion and resurrection).
- After the Muslim re-conquest of the Holy Land, when Christian pilgrimage became more difficult, western Christians copied the shrines and early traditions in their own countries.
- In the 18th century, the number of stations was fixed at fourteen.
- By the 19th century, Stations of the Cross had become an established tradition in Catholic churches throughout England, Ireland and North America.
- Recently a fifteenth station has often been added: the Resurrection of Jesus.
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DEVELOPMENT: |
Usually worshippers say a prayer, spend some time in silence and perhaps play music at each station. The fifteen Stations of the Cross below could be used as a series of collective worships, divided as time and opportunity allow.
- Music can be used as an introduction and conclusion. Reflective styles are most appropriate.
- An illustration to help focus thinking for each 'station' would be valuable - these could be produced by students. A typical pattern for a collective worship using each station in turn would be:
- Opening music
- Opening prayer
- Focus - perhaps on a picture reflecting the story
- Reading
- Reflection - this could relate the emotions in this story to everyday experiences of betrayal, fear, loss, cruelty etc.
- A brief 'thought' based on the reading/reflection to relate it to your school context.
Alternatively, you could start with music and a prayer, have different students reading the 15 parts of the story one after the other, with a pause for thought after each, then a concluding prayer and/or music.
The story in this resource is based largely on the account in the Gospel of Luke, starting at chapter 22, verse 39.
OPENING PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.
Stations of the Cross
(Titles as celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday 1991)
| 1. |
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus went with his disciples into a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray". He prayed with great heaviness of heart. When he came back, they were asleep. "Could you not keep watch with me one hour?" said Jesus.
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| 2. |
Jesus is betrayed by Judas
Judas, one of Jesus' disciples, arrived in the Garden with a large crowd, armed with swords and clubs. He said to the soldiers, "The man that I kiss is the man that you want. Arrest him!" And he kissed Jesus. Later, when Judas realised what he had done, he hanged himself.
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| 3. |
Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin
The High Priest and council tried to find false evidence against Jesus, to put him to death, but they could find nothing. They accused him of blasphemy, saying he claimed to be the Messiah, and condemned him to death.
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| 4. |
Jesus denied by Peter
Peter had followed Jesus and was sitting outside the High Priest's house. A servant woman came to him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee". Peter denied this three times. Then the cock crowed and he remembered Jesus' prophesy that Peter would betray him. Peter sat down again and wept bitterly.
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| 5. |
Jesus condemned by the people
Jesus was handed over to Pilate, the Roman Governor. Pilate brought Jesus outside and said to the people, "Look at your king!" At this they shouted, "Away with him! Crucify him!" Although they could save one prisoner, they chose a known robber instead of Jesus. Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
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| 6. |
Jesus is crowned with thorns and clothed in purple
The soldiers took Jesus into the Governor's palace, stripped off his clothes and put a crown of thorns and a purple robe on him. They put a stick in his right hand and said "Hail, King of the Jews!" After mocking him, they took the clothes off again and led him out to be crucified.
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| 7. |
Jesus carries the cross
Jesus was led away, and carrying the cross by himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, Golgotha.
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| 8. |
Jesus assisted by Simon of Cyrene
A man named Simon of Cyrene was coming in from the fields, and they pressed him into service to carry the cross.
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| 9. |
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
A great crowd of people followed him, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. Jesus said "Weep not for me but for your children."
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| 10. |
Jesus is crucified
After carrying his cross, Jesus came to the Place of the Skull. There they crucified him and two others with him.
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| 11. |
Jesus speaks to the thief
One of the criminals hanging there with Jesus asked mockingly if he was the Messiah, come to save them. The other asked Jesus, "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as king." Jesus said to him, "I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me."
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| 12. |
Jesus speaks to his mother
Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, so he said to his mother "Here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is your mother".
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| 13. |
Jesus dies on the cross
Jesus said "I thirst!" and they gave him wine. "It is finished!" he cried, bowed his head, gave up his spirit and died.
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| 14. |
Jesus is buried
Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man who was also a disciple of Jesus asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and wrapped it in perfumed oils. Then he buried Jesus in a tomb close at hand.
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| 15. |
Jesus rises again
Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. She found it empty. An angel told her not to be afraid: "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has been raised." Later, Jesus himself appeared to her and to other disciples. Their hearts were filled with joy that he had risen from the dead.
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