Good Friday, the day traditionally set aside in the year to remember the death of Jesus on the cross. Good Friday is one of only two days in the year that Roman Catholics do not have Mass. Instead, on this day, most Catholic Churches say the stations of the Cross (these are normally found an pictures around the inside walls of all Churches). In the 12th century, St Francis of Assisi devised the list and started the tradition of reciting it as a type of devotional service. Structurally, Mel Gibson’s 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ, follows the stations. This is the complete list of the 14 stations, as St Francis defined them.
1
First Station
Jesus is condemned to death
2
Second Station
Jesus carries His cross
3
Third Station
Jesus falls the first time
4
Fourth Station
Jesus meets his mother
5
Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
6
Sixth Station
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7
Seventh Station
Jesus falls the second time
8
Eight Station
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9
Ninth Station
Jesus falls a third time
10
Tenth Station
Jesus’ clothes are taken away
11
Eleventh Station
Jesus is nailed to the cross
12
Twelfth Station
Jesus dies on the cross
13
Thirteenth Station
The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
14
Fourteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the tomb
