February 15, 2021

Welcome

Welcome to the Stations of the Cross at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish in Salem, Massachusetts.

This page is accessible using the QR-Code on the outdoor stations near the side entrance of the Immaculate Conception Church.

In addition to the Traditional Stations of the Cross, we are offering some additional information and prayer resources on this page:

Why we pray the Stations

Stations of the Cross | USCCB
Station in Spanish

3 Ways to Pray the Stations

Bishop Barron

Scriptural stations

St. John Paul II

Healing stations

Walk the Stations, inviting Jesus to walk with you in your troubles, as if the Stations are your own.

Traditionally, while one prays the way of the cross, one enters into the reality of Jesus' suffering for us. We encounter and accompany Jesus in HIS walk. Another way one could pray the stations is to invite Jesus into our own suffering. As we walk, we invite the suffering Jesus to accompany US. If we are dealing with a serious illness or struggling spiritually, it may be helpful and easier to imagine Jesus coming to be with us, to join us in, and then lift us out of, our own suffering. Consider using any of the videos above to help you on this journey.

The Agony in the Garden

Jesus suffers greatly in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest. Being in the Garden is the first station of Scriptural stations by St. John Paul II. If you are praying the Traditional stations, consider meditating on Jesus' Agony before starting. Here is an excerpt from the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 26:36-46):

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup passes without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

Two good books

Watch and Pray With Me, by Karl Rahne The Agony of Jesus, St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Watch and Pray With Me

One way to enhance your prayer experience of the Stations of the Cross is to ask someone to pray with you or for you or to pray for someone, as you walk through the Stations. You can:

Imagine you and Jesus walking the Stations for someone.
You can pray for someone walking the Stations, that they may encounter Jesus more fully on their walk.
Consider bringing someone along with you by phone if they can't be with you in person, and have them join you on your walk.

One of our parishioners has offered to personally accompany anyone at the Immaculate Conception outdoor stations. Go to Calendly, to sign up for a time slot at least 24 hours in advance. He will sit at the bench before the statue of Mary and will pray with you and for you while you walk the stations.

Stations of the Cross via Zoom

Friday in Lent, MQOA is hosting two Station of the Cross via Zoom. One in Spanish at 6:30 pm and Another in English at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here for more information.