Worship - piety, Rosary And Stations Of Cross

Question 1

What are the most common aids to prayer?

Answer 1

Rosary - set of prayer beads

Icons - religious paintings of Jesus, Mary and the saints

Question 2

What is the rosary?

Answer 2

A set of beads to aid prayer concentration
5 sets of 10 beads
Each set called a decade -separated by a larger bead
At start of each decade say our father
Then repeat Hail Mary (10) for each bead
At end of decade Gloria/Glory be is said
Through the decades pray the mysteries in groups of 5
1 joys - of Jesus birth
2 sorrow -death and suffering of Jesus
3 glory -resurrection and ascension, Holy Spirit, receiving of Mary into heaven

Question 3

What are icons?

Answer 3

Important for Orthodox Christians and some Catholics and Anglican’s
Religious paintings of Jesus, Mary and saints
Full of spirit of person represented - special and holy
Icons on wall and stands of orthodox churches
Iconostasis is a screen - focal point of prayer during Divine Liturgy
Candles placed in front of icons and worshipper kisses icon

Question 4

What are the stations of the cross?

Answer 4

The 14 stages of the journey from Pilates house to Calvary

Every Catholic Church has images of these stages

Question 5

What sort of prayer is the stations of the cross?

Answer 5

A dramatised prayer includes actions of physical activity and verbal expression
At each stage there will be a short reading about the image such as Simon helping carry the cross
It acts out sharing Jesus’ journey and suffering

Question 6

What are the 14 stages 1-7?

Answer 6

1. Jesus condemned
2. Takes his cross
3. Falls first time
4. Meets his mother
5. Simon helps carry cross
6. Veronica wipes Jesus face
7. Jesus falls second time

Question 7

Stations 8-14?

Answer 7

8. Women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus
9. Jesus falls 3rd time
10. Jesus stripped of his garments
11. Jesus nailed to cross
12. Jesus dies on cross
13. Jesus taken down from cross
14. Jesus buried

Question 8

Why is this like a pilgrimage?

Answer 8

Stations of the cross is like filling Jesus’ steps in spirit without going to Jerusalem
If Catholics go to Jerusalem they follow Via Dolorosa which the street of the cross
In Jerusalem Christians visit the tomb
They visit other towns where Jesus lived and taught
This is a pilgrimage bringing them closer to god