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The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:
Some trace the history of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary visiting the locations of the Passion in Jerusalem, but most trace the beginning of the specific devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi, or at least to the Franciscan tradition. Originally, it was specifically connected to visiting the actual sites in Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ suffered and died. As such a pilgrimage was impossible for many, the stations were erected in the local churches as a way of bringing Jerusalem to the people. The number and names of the stations changed radically at various times in the history of the devotion, though the current list of fourteen stations is now almost universal.
Pope John Paul II leads a public prayerPrayer is an effort to communicate with a God, or to some deity or deities, either to offer praise to the deity, to make a request of the deity, or simply to express one's thoughts and emotions to the deity. There are a variety approaches to understanding of the Stations of the Cross at the Roman ColosseumThe Colosseum originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater is an amphitheater in Rome, capable of seating 50,000 spectators, which was once used for gladiatorial combat. Its construction began under the Emperor Vespasian in 72 A. and was completed by his on Good FridayGood Friday is a special day celebrated by Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Special prayer services are often held on this day with readings from the Gospel accounts of the events leading u each year. Originally, the Pope himself carried the cross from station to station, but due to his deteriorating health, he now presides over the celebration from a stage on the Palatine HillThe Palatine Hill (Latin Palatium is the centermost of the seven hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city of Rome in Italy. Legend tells us that Rome has its origins on the Palatine. Indeed, recent excavations show that people lived, while others carry the cross. Each year a different person is invited to write the meditation texts for the Stations. Past composers of the Papal Stations include several non-Catholics. In many years, the Stations meditated have not corresponded to the traditional list given above, which lead some to speculate that the Pope would be changing the list soon. However, the Holy Father himself wrote the texts for the JubileeThe Jubilee in both the Jewish and Christian traditions is a year of celebration and forgiveness originally held every 50 years. The term Jubilee has been extended to many types of celebration, including anniversaries such as Silver Jubilees (25 years), G year 2000 and used the traditional Stations.Prayer of the Stations of the Cross is connected with a plenary indulgence according to the normal conditions of the Church. To achieve the indulgence, the person praying must walk from station to station, meditating on the Passion. There is no requirement that this meditation be of a certain duration, use specific prayers, or indeed, that the meditation correspond to the stations that are depicted. A validly erected set of the Stations of the Cross should be blessed by a Franciscan, and should include a wooden cross at each station. (Images are optional.) The same indulgence is available to those unable to visit the stations by meditating for 30 minutes on the Passion.
The celebration of the Stations of the Cross is especially common on the Fridays of Lent, and especially Good Friday. Community celebrations are usually accompanied by various songs and prayers. Particularly common as musical accompaniment is the sequence Stabat Mater Dolorosa.
Many advocate today the addition of a 15th station, depicting Christ's Resurrection, so as not to end the devotion on a negative note. Others have begun the practice of the Via Lucis in Eastertide to meditate on the Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord.