Lent + Stations of the Cross

In 2026, the forty days of Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and end on Holy Thursday, April 2. Easter Sunday is on April 5. During this sacred season, we are called to deepen our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving

St. Thomas the Apostle

• Ash Wednesday | Feb 18, 7pm

• Stations of the Cross | Feb 20, 7pm

• Lenten Mission Speaker | Mar 1 (details to come)

• Stations of the Cross | Mar 6, 7pm

• Fish Fry | Mar 20, 4-6:30pm

• Stations of the Cross | Mar 20, 7pm

• Ham Bingo | Mar 29

• Add’l Confession | Mar 29, 3-4pm

Ss. Peter & Paul

• Ash Wednesday | Feb 18, 8:30am

• Stations of the Cross | Feb 27, 7pm

• Fish Fry | Mar 13, 4-7pm

• Stations of the Cross | Mar 13, 7pm

• Ham Bingo | Mar 22

• Fish Fry | Mar 27, 4-7pm

• Stations of the Cross | Mar 27, 7pm

• Add’l Confession | Mar 29, 6-7pm

• Add’l Confession | Mar 31, 6-7pm

Question:

Who invented the Stations of the Cross?

Answer:

Jesus walked the first Stations of the Cross on the way to Calvary. Known as the "Via Dolorosa" ("The Way of Suffering") or the "Via Crucis" ("The Way of the Cross"), it was marked out from the earliest times and was a traditional walk for pilgrims who came to Jerusalem. The early Christians in Jerusalem would walk the same pathway Jesus walked, pausing for reflection and prayer. Later, when Christians could no longer travel to the Holy Land, artistic depictions of "The Way of the Cross" were set up in churches or outdoors, and Christians would walk from station to station, reading the Gospel account of the Passion or simply praying and reflecting on each event. While the content or location of each station had changed, the intention was to make a mini-pilgrimage and follow — literally — in the footsteps of Jesus.

This devotion became better known in the Middle Ages, and the Franciscans are credited with spreading it. Lent is a time when many people make the Stations, and some churches present Passion plays or Living Stations. But anyone can pray the Stations at any time. It is a simple, personal reflection on Jesus's passion and what it means to us.

View Lenten resources from the Archdiocese.