Stations of the Cross in English

The Stations of the Cross began as the practice of pious pilgrims to Jerusalem who would retrace the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary. Later, for the many who wanted to pass along the same route, but could not make the trip to Jerusalem, a practice developed that eventually took the form of the fourteen stations currently found in almost every church. (from the USCCB website)

“We begin the season of lent with ashes on our foreheads.  What is symbolized by this smudging?  Perhaps the heart understands better than the head because more people go to church on Ash Wednesday than on any other day of the year, including Christmas.  The queues to receive the ashes in many churches are endless.Why? Why are the ashes so popular?"
(The Ashes of Lent by Ron Rolheiser OMI)
 
“What is the meaning of Lent? Why do we set aside forty days to voluntarily give up legitimate enjoyments so as to prepare for Easter?” (Images for Lent by Ron Rolheiser OMI)