A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Cedarcrest Conference Centre in Belfountain, Ontario, on October 10, 2025.

Today this has become a response for us in the Way of the Cross as we are introduced to each station. We are meant to look at the representation. Sometimes a picture, sometimes a painting. Sometimes just a simple cross.

V: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You

R: Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world. (Rise)

We will say it today. This idea of the 14 stations started by those who could not journey to Jerusalem to spiritually participate in Christ’s Passion. Pilgrims in Jerusalem would process to various locations, praying and reading scripture at each spot. Franciscans became the custodians of the Holy Land sites. They would start these virtual representations in churches in Europe. They became standardized to 14 stations.