Stations Of The Cross

[Moneybags]

I know that laity can pray the Stations, but it should be said by a priest while in the Church when all possible. Does anyone know of a Church document stating this: priests should lead the Stations as opposed to laypeople when possible?

Edited March 2, 2007 by St. Benedict

[bonoducchi]

The Church is silent on the form and norms for celebrating the Via Crucis. The Directory on Popular Piety gives no indication that the presiding is normatively reserved for clergy and there are no other documents I know about that legislate devotional forms. I would submit that it should be left to the individual community to decide the most suitable presider for its celebrations of the Via Crucis.

By way of example, the parish I minister at rotates between the priest, deacons and some of the lay staff, which the assembly seems to appreciate, using the same form each week.