Catholic Stations of the Cross Quiz

Answer: around the walls of the church

The Stations are usually numbered and in order. This is so that you can meditate on them as you walk. They may be visited privately, or as part of a public service.

Answer: Pilate

Pilate was worried by public opinion and about preserving his reputation. He washed his hands publicly to show that he did not want to be involved in these events. He let the crowd decide and they shouted to let Barabbas (a brigand and a thief) free and to crucify Jesus. Pilate imposed the death sentence and was held responsible in years to come for condemning Jesus.

Answer: the cross

The soldiers performed this task of handing Jesus the cross. The "cross" was to become a metaphor representing "the burdens of life".

Answer: All human beings fall or weaken in life, but must stand up again with God's help.

Jesus was to fall three times in this journey. The torment on Him exceeded belief.

Answer: His Blessed Mother

Mary His mother was there to His death. The church describes this as a sorrowful meeting and that Mary had now realised that her Son must die in this way. The words Jesus had spoken to her in the Temple must have rung in her heart: "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49). On that occasion He had been lost for three days, but Mary found Him doing the work of His Father in Heaven (He was talking with the teachers).

Answer: Simon of Cyrene

Simon of Cyrene was apparently a tourist who had come in from the country. He was chosen for this task that could be so rewarding spiritually, but surely also so frightening for him at the time. The Church regards this as a burden that we all must share. We do this "sharing" by prayer and in many other ways.

Answer: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

The imprint of Jesus's face was left on the cloth or towel that Veronica held out to Jesus. The Church teaches that Jesus's imprint is marked on every good work that we do in life.

Answer: the goodwill of the soldiers letting Him rest

This journey by Jesus with the cross greatly exceeded all normal punishments. In particular we must remember who it was being done to as well as this person's public good works and that Jesus's fame was making this a huge public spectacle.

Answer: Women of Jerusalem

Saint Luke reported that Jesus said "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children" (Luke 23:27-31).

Answer: no

The veil of the Temple was torn down the middle later, at Jesus's death. This and other events are recorded by the Church as showing God displaying the appropriate wrath at what had happened to His Son. However, God saved this wrath until the very end of Jesus's life. During Jesus's carrying of the cross and crucifixion God seemed prepared to let human nature have its way.

Answer: No

Saint John's Gospel records that the soldiers shared Jesus's clothing among themselves (John 19:23-24).

Answer: nails

The stigmata of some saints (appearing on their living bodies) are believed to show these wounds made by the nails, and give visual witness to the Gospel writings.

Answer: "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit"

The words are cited in Luke 23:44-46. An eclipse and darkness are recorded in the Bible as happening during these events.

Answer: Joseph of Arimathea

Mary the Mother of Jesus was still there and is often pictured by artists as holding the body of her Son. However, the Gospels do not speak of this event.

Answer: Jesus's body is laid in the sepulchre.

The Bible records that the body was wrapped in spices and linen cloth.

Answer: the Resurrection

According to the Gospels, Jesus died on Friday and rose again on the third day after dying -- exactly what He had said He would do. This was discovered early on Sunday (Easter) morning. According to John's Gospel (20:1-2) Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Simon Peter and Saint John were the first to discover the tomb open. Saint Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen Jesus (John 20:14-18).

Answer: Lent

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the commemoration of the crucifixion, and Lent is a period of forty days preceding Easter.

Answer: No.

Catholics are never bound to attend or perform the stations of the cross. It is an extremely popular devotion and is done out of free choice and love of God.

Answer: He had died much earlier.

Saint Joseph died earlier in Jesus's life, and records of his life are few. The death seems to have happened before Jesus's public ministry and left Jesus to look after His mother, as this was the custom of the day. Whilst dying on His cross Jesus told Saint John that he (John) was now Mary's son (John 19:25-27).

This disciple then took over from Jesus as a son to Mary and cared for her. Saint John was the only one of the original twelve disciples to die a natural death.

Answer: He had been executed by order of Herod at an earlier time.

Jesus knew of John's beheading (in prison; much earlier) and Matthew says that Jesus tried to withdraw alone to a deserted place on hearing this news, but the crowds followed Him (Matthew 14:13-15).