ST ​MARY
THE VIRGIN​
Church of England Parish in the Diocese of Chichester
Welcome to St Mary's Church
The fourteen tableaux of the Stations of the Cross are representations of Jesus' progress along the Via Dolorosa, which translates into English as 'Sorrowful Road' after he was condemned to death and left Pilate's praetorium to walk to Calvary.
The tableaux in St Mary's Church dates back to 1933. They were carefully restored in 2004. A series of meditations and prayers known as Stations of the Cross originated in Jerusalem where pilgrims followed Our Lord's path to Calvary. It is thought that the Crusaders brought the devotion to the West. Following the Stations of the Cross is most often associated with the season of Lent but can be used any time.
Stations of the Cross
The Fourteen Stations are:
1. Jesus is condemned to death
5. Jesus is relieved of the cross by Simon of Cyrene
9. Jesus falls for the third time
13. Jesus is taken down
2. Jesus receives the cross
6. Veronica wipes his face
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
3. Jesus falls for the first time
4. Jesus meets his mother
7. Jesus falls for the second time
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
8. The women of Jerusalem weep for him
12. Jesus yields up his spirit
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb