Every year, on Holy Thursday, there is a well-known tradition that invites you to visit seven churches; in case of need, some visit the same church, going in and out. Today I will tell you the meaning.

The visits to the seven churches symbolize our intention of accompanying Jesus on his journey from the night of his capture to his crucifixion.

Below, we share with you the details of each of the moments represented in the seven churches.

1. First church
The first church reminds us Jesus’ journey from the Cenacle, where he celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples, to the garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed and sweated blood.

2. Second church
The second church leads us to meditate on the passage from the garden of Gethsemane to the house of Annas, the High Priest, where he was interrogated by the latter and received a slap in the face.

3. Third church
In the third station, the prayer focuses on Jesus’ journey to the house of Caiaphas, where he was spit upon, insulted and suffered pain throughout the night.

4. Fourth church
The center of the reflection for the fourth visit is the first appearance of Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor of the region. There Christ was accused by the Jews who raised false testimonies against him.

5. Fifth church
In this fifth visit, we accompany the Lord is in his appearance before King Herod, who together with his guards also reviled him.

6. Sixth church
At the sixth station we meditate on the second appearance before Pontius Pilate. There, Jesus was crowned with thorns and condemned to death.

7. Seventh church
In the last church we remember Christ’s journey from Pilate’s house to Mount Calvary, carrying the cross on his back. We also bring to our memory his death, and his burial in the tomb, from where he will rise again on the third day.

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Praying the Stations of the Cross with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati