Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross began in the days of the early Church when pilgrims would journey to Jerusalem to retrace the final steps taken by Jesus Christ. Later, for the many who could not make the trip to the Holy Land, the practice developed of praying the Stations of the Cross at one's home church or perhaps at a nearby shrine.

Although the Stations of the Cross traditionally follow the same 14 steps, beginning with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and concluding when he is laid in the tomb, the prayers offered may differ. You will find some options at the bottom of the page.

Stations of the Cross in Parishes

Parishes often include the Stations of the Cross in their Lenten observances because it is a season in which we are called to deeper prayer and reflection upon Christ's Passion and death.

All Saints Parish, Brunswick

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 82 Atlantic Avenue, Boothbay Harbor - Fridays of Lent at 5 p.m. with a simple soup meal afterwards.

St. Ambrose Church, 29 Kimball Street, Richmond - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by eucharistic adoration until 7 p.m.

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen Street, Brunswick - Fridays of Lent at 4:30 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street, Brunswick - Fridays of Lent at 3 p.m.

St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street, Bath - Fridays of Lent at 5 p.m. with a simple soup meal afterwards

St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle - Fridays of Lent at 5 p.m. with a simple soup meal afterwards

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland

Fridays, February 24, at 6 p.m. with a soup and bread meal; March 17 at 6 p.m. with a corned beef & cabbage dinner for St. Patrick's Day, and March 31 at 6 p.m. with a fried fish dinner. Stations of the Cross held in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street in Portland with dinners in Guild Hall.

Stations of the Cross will also be prayed on Wednesdays following the 12:15 p.m. Mass.

Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, Millinocket

St. Martin of Tours Church, 19 Colby Street, Millinocket - Thursdays of Lent at 9 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m. Mass)

St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street, East Millinocket - Fridays of Lent at 3:30 p.m. (Weather permitting, they will be prayed outside at the new Stations of the Cross)

Christ the King Parish, Skowhegan

Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 273 Water Street, Skowhegan - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m.

Corpus Christi Parish, Waterville

Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville - Fridays of Lent at 3 p.m.

Good Shepherd Parish, Saco

Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main Street, Saco - Fridays of Lent (February 24 - March 31) at 6 p.m. On Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 3 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 178 Elm Street, Biddeford - Fridays of Lent (February 24-March 31) at 9:45 a.m. (Following the 9 a.m. Mass). On Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 3 p.m.

St. Margaret Church, 6 Saco Avenue, Old Orchard Beach - Good Friday, April 7, at 3 p.m.

St. Philip Church, 404 Goodwins Mills Road, Lyman - Good Friday, April 7, at 3 p.m.

Holy Family Parish, Greenville

Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue, Greenville - Fridays of Lent at 4:30 p.m. preceded by eucharistic adoration at 4 p.m. and followed by soup for the soul.

Holy Spirit Parish, Wells

St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road, Kennebunk - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m. (preceded by a Lenten supper of chowder and soup)

St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road, Wells - Fridays of Lent at Noon (followed by a Lenten lunch of chowder and soup)

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Auburn

Sacred Heart Church, 24 Sacred Heart Place, Auburn - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m. (soup at 5 p.m., reconciliation available at 5:30 p.m.)

Notre Dame du Lourdes Parish, Madawaska

St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 337 St. Thomas Street, Madawaska - Fridays at 4 p.m.

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland

St. Pius X Church 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland - Fridays of Lent at 7 p.m. preceded by a simple soup supper in the parish hall.

Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Lincoln

St. Leo the Great Church, 16 River Road, Howland - Fridays of Lent at 3 p.m.

St. Mary of Lourdes Church, 142 Main Street, Lincoln - Fridays of Lent following the 8:30 a.m. Mass

Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oquossoc

St. John Church, 76 Main Street, Stratton - Fridays of Lent at 5 p.m. (followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 6 p.m. and Mass at 6 p.m.)

St. Luke Church, 19 Lake Street, Rangeley - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m. (followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 7 p.m.)

Our Lady of the Snows, Dexter

St. Anne Church, 64 Free Street, Dexter - There will be Stations of the Cross with soup and bread afterwards, starting on Friday, March 3, at 5:30 p.m.

Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Saint Agatha

St. Agatha Church, 379 Main Street, Saint Agatha - Fridays at 5:30 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 413 Shore Road, Sinclair -Tuesdays at 8 a.m.

St. Luce Church, 441 U.S. Route One, Frenchville - Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

Parish of the Ascension of the Lord, Kittery

St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane, York - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Lenten meal and brief presentation by Fr. Scott Mower.

Parish of the Holy Eucharist, Falmouth

Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth - Fridays of Lent at 6:30 p.m.

St. Gregory the Great Church, 24 North Raymond Road, Gray - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m.

St. Jude Church, 134 Main Street, Freeport - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m.

Parish of the Holy Savior, Rumford

The Holy Savior Parish is feeding body and soul on Fridays in Lent, with Stations of the Cross led by Fr. Aaron Damboise at 5 p.m. at St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue in Rumford, followed by a meatless soup meal and guest presentations in the parish hall. Guest presentations are by parishioners who have traveled recently on mission trips and personal pilgrimages. For more information or to volunteer to bring soup or bread, please call the parish office at 207-364-4556.

Mary's Way of the Cross presentations will be offered on the Wednesdays of Lent at St. Athanasius & St. John Church at 3 p.m. Participants can follow the mother of Jesus as she walks the road to Calvary in this deep reflection that will unite one’s pain and suffering with Jesus on the cross through the sorrowful heart of His mother.

The Living Stations of the Cross will be presented by youth ministry members on Palm Sunday, April 2, at 7 p.m. at St. Athanasius & St. John Church in Rumford.

Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou

Holy Rosary Church, 34 Vaughn Street, Caribou - Fridays of Lent at 3 p.m.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 Main Street, Presque Isle - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m.

St. Denis Church, 147 Main Street, Fort Fairfield - Fridays of Lent at 3 p.m.

St. Mark Church, 13 Allen Farm Road, Ashland - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m.

Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town

Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street, Old Town - Fridays of Lent at 6:30 p.m. (preceded by an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.)

Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bar Harbor

Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m.

Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston

Holy Cross Church, 1080 Lisbon Street, Lewiston - Fridays of Lent at 4 p.m. followed by a simple meal.

Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street, Lewiston - Fridays of Lent at 4:45 p.m. followed by a simple meal.

Holy Trinity Church, 67 Frost Hill Avenue, Lisbon Falls - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 pm. followed by a simple meal.

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 131 High Street, Sabattus - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m., followed by a simple meal.

Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish, Portland

Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street, Portland - Friday, March 3 at 6 p.m. in English, French, and Spanish. The Stations of the Cross will be accompanied by a simple soup and bread meal.

St. Agnes Parish, Island Falls

St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street, Island Falls - Fridays of Lent at 3 p.m. excluding St. Patrick's Day

St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Jackman

St. Faustina Church, 370 Main Street, Jackman - Fridays of Lent at 4 p.m.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Westbrook

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham - Fridays at 3 p.m.

St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street, Gorham - Fridays of Lent at 9:30 a.m. (Following 9:30 a.m. Mass)

St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street, Westbrook - Fridays at 4:30 p.m. (Before 5 p.m. Mass)

St. Benedict Parish, Benedicta

St. Benedict Church, 1063 Benedicta Road, Benedicta - On the Fridays of Lent, Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. followed by Stations of the Cross.

St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, Camden

Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7 Union Street, Camden - A soup and bread meal will be served on the Fridays of Lent at 4 pm., followed by eucharistic adoration at 6 p.m. and Stations of the Cross at 6:30 p.m.

St. Bernard Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by a soup and bread meal.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street, Belfast - Fridays of Lent at 6:30 p.m.

St. John Paul II Parish, Scarborough

Church of the Holy Cross, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland - Fridays of Lent at 9 a.m. (Led by Holy Cross School students) and 1 p.m.

St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough - Fridays at 6:15 p.m.

St. John Vianney Parish, Fort Kent

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 912 Main Street, St. Francis – Fridays at 3 p.m. followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet

St. Louis Church, 26 East Main Street, Fort Kent – Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

St. Mary Church, 3451 Aroostook Road, Eagle Lake – Fridays at 3 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Bridgton

St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street, Bridgton - Fridays at 6 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Ellsworth

St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street, Ellsworth - Fridays at 5:30 pm., preceded by a potluck meatless soup and bread upper at 4:45 p.m. in the parish hall. (You are welcome to attend both regardless of whether you are able to bring something to the potluck).

St. Joseph Parish, Farmington

St. Joseph Church, 133 Middle Street, Farmington - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m. (after the 5:30 p.m.) followed by a soup supper in the Gathering Area Basement

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Calais

Immaculate Conception Church, 31 Calais Avenue, Calais - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m., accompanied by a soup meal on all Fridays of Lent. On March 3, the Stations will be prayed, but there will not be a meal.

St. Louis Parish, Portland

St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street, Portland - Friday, March 24, at 6 p.m., accompanied by soup and desserts.

St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton

St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military Street, Houlton - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m. excluding St. Patrick's Day.

St. Matthew Parish, Limerick

St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane, Limerick - Fridays at 5 p.m. followed by a soup and bread dinner in the parish hall.

St. Michael Parish, Augusta

St. Augustine Church, 75 Northern Avenue, Augusta - Fridays at 3 p.m.

St. Denis Church, 298 Grand Army Road, Whitefield - Fridays at 7 p.m.

St. Francis Xavier Church, 130 U.S. Route 133, Winthrop - Fridays at 6 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 110 School Street, Gardiner - Fridays at 6 p.m.

St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor

St. John Church, 207 York Street, Bangor - Fridays of Lent at Noon. Students from All Saints Catholic School will then present the Living Stations of the Cross at noon on Good Friday, April 7, at St. John Church.

St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street, Bangor - Fridays of Lent following the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

St. Peter Parish, Portland

St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland - Friday, March 10, at 6 p.m. followed by pizza and salad.

St. Peter Chanel Parish, Van Buren

St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, 174 Main Street, Van Buren - Fridays at 5:30 p.m.

St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias

Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street, Machias - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m., preceded at 5 p.m. by soup and bread in the St. Francis Room.

Additionally at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Stations of the Cross will be prayed for all men of the parish on Wednesday, March 1, at 5:30 p.m.; for all women of parish on Wednesday, March 8, at 5:30 p.m.; and for all parents and children of the parish on Wednesday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross will also be prayed on Thursday, March 30, at 5 p.m., followed by the sacrament of reconciliation.

Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street, Lubec - Fridays of Lent at 3 p.m. and Wednesday, March 29, at 5 p.m., followed by the sacrament of reconciliation.

St. Michael Church, 51 Elm Street, Cherryfield - Fridays of Lent at 9 a.m. and Friday, March 31, at 5 p.m. followed by the sacrament of reconciliation.

St. Rose of Lima Parish, Jay

St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street, Jay - Fridays of Lent at 1 p.m. (after the 12:15 p.m. Mass)

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Norway

St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street, Norway - Fridays of Lent at 6 p.m. followed by a soup supper.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Sanford

Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue, Sanford - Fridays of Lent at 4 p.m.

Stella Maris Parish, Bucksport

St. Vincent de Paul Church, 60 Franklin Street, Bucksport - Fridays of Lent at 5:30 p.m.