The Stations of the Cross are a devotion that allows us to trace the journey, a mile long Via Dolorosa (Latin: way of sorrow), that Jesus made from Pilate’s court, the praetorium, to Calvary, his crucifixion and tomb. “Legend has it that Mary often retraced the sorrowful way her son made on Good Friday.”
The Catholic Source Book
In the Middle Ages pilgrims would walk the path in Jerusalem. Over time churches created 14 stations locally representing the events of the Way of the Cross.
Many churches around the world today contain Stations, and every Friday during Lent (the 40 days before Easter) people in Catholic churches recite the Stations.
Catholic Information Service – Knights of Columbus