The VIA DOLOROSA (Way of Sorrows) is the traditional route taken by our Lord Jesus on His way from Pilate's judgment hall to Golgotha, or Calvary, the place of crucifixion. Although tradition marks out 14 stations of the cross, or the events that transpired during that exhausting journey, it is almost impossible to locate the exact route taken because the ancient streets of Jerusalem were destroyed several years after the crucifixion by the Roman army. The Via Dolorosa is not mentioned by name in the Bible.

The best way to follow the Via Dolorosa is to enter Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate) from the eastern side of the City (beside the Temple Mount). The first seven stations wind through the Muslim Quarter. The last five are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The tradition of following the Via Dolorosa dates to the Byzantine period.

Station I -- The place where Pontius Pilate's judgment hall once stood and Jesus was condemned to death.

Station II -- The Monastery of the Flagellation where Jesus was given the cross.

Station III -- The spot where Jesus fell under the weight of the cross for the first time.

Station IV -- Where Mary came out of the crowd to see her son.

Station V -- Simon the Cyrene was taken out of the crowd by the Romans to help Jesus carry the cross.

Station VI -- Recalls the tradition of Veronica stepping up to Jesus and wiping his face.

Station VII -- Where Jesus fell for the second time.

Station VIII -- The place where Jesus consoled the women of Jerusalem.

Station IX -- Where Jesus fell for the third time.

Station X -- Jesus is stripped of his garments.

Station XI -- Jesus is nailed to the cross.

Station XII -- The place where Jesus died on the cross.

Station XIII -- The spot where Jesus' body was taken down.

Station XIV -- The tomb of Jesus.

VIA DOLOROSA

DOWN THE VIA DOLOROSA IN JERUSALEM THAT DAY
THE SOLDIERS TRIED TO CLEAR THE NARROW STREETS
BUT THE CROWD PRESSED IN TO SEE
THE MAN CONDEMNED TO DIE ON CALVARY

HE WAS BLEEDING FROM A BEATING
THERE WERE STRIPES UPON HIS BACK
AND HE WORE A CROWN OF THORNS UPON HIS HEAD
AND HE BORE WITH EVERY STEP
THE SCORN OF THOSE WHO CRIED OUT FOR HIS DEATH

DOWN THE VIA DOLOROSA CALLED THE WAY OF SUFFERING
LIKE A LAMB CAME THE MESSIAH CHRIST THE KING
BUT HE CHOSE TO WALK THAT ROAD OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR YOU AND ME
DOWN THE VIA DOLOROSA ALL THE WAY TO CALVARY

THE BLOOD THAT WOULD CLEANSE THE SOULS OF ALL MEN
MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE HEART OF JERUSALEM

DOWN THE VIA DOLOROSA CALLED THE WAY OF SUFFERING
LIKE A LAMB CAME THE MESSIAH CHRIST THE KING
BUT HE CHOSE TO WALK THAT ROAD OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR YOU AND ME
DOWN THE VIA DOLOROSA ALL THE WAY TO CALVARY

Midi=Via Dolorosa