Back to Blog
The Via Dolorosa ("Way of Sorrows") is the route through the Old City of Jerusalem that Christian tradition identifies as the path Jesus walked carrying his cross. It is marked by fourteen Stations of the Cross. Here is a short guide to each station, and how you can pray them from home.
Stations 1–5
1. Jesus is condemned to death. The route begins near the site of the Antonia Fortress.
2. Jesus takes up his cross. Remembered at the Chapels of the Condemnation and Flagellation.
3. Jesus falls for the first time.
4. Jesus meets his mother, Mary.
5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross.
Stations 6–9
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
7. Jesus falls for the second time. At the old city gate where the route turns uphill.
8. Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.
9. Jesus falls for the third time. Near the Ethiopian monastery on the roof of the Holy Sepulchre.
Stations 10–14: inside the Holy Sepulchre
The last five stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre:
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments.
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross.
12. Jesus dies on the cross, at Calvary (Golgotha).
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross, remembered at the Stone of Anointing.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb, the Edicule at the heart of the church.
How to pray the Stations at home
At each station, pause, read a short Gospel passage, and pray briefly in your own words. Many people pray the Stations on Fridays, and especially during Lent and Holy Week.
Send your prayer along the Via Dolorosa
If you cannot walk the Via Dolorosa yourself, you can send your written prayer along it. We print your prayer, carry it along the route in Jerusalem and email you a dated photograph. We are a delivery service and do not promise any spiritual outcome.
