Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross are an important devotion to Catholics, particularly in the holy season of Lent. Many hand written reflections and prayers combined with biblical passages have been offered to the faithful over the years. For over ten years, contemporary music has been my vehicle for meditating on these moments in the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Biblical Stations of the Cross

The Biblical Stations of the Cross presented by Blessed John Paul II are an excellent companion for these use of contemporary music. Below I have lists of songs I have used in services of the Stations of the Cross from the past ten years. The number(s) before each song corresponds to the Station(s) and Biblical passage(s) intended for participants' focus. I encourage you to prayerfully and creatively use these suggestions for your own community.

Biblical Stations of the Cross to Contemporary Music from Mike Parr on Vimeo.

2013

Eyes Open / Taylor Swift - Station 1
Too Close / Alex Clare - Station 2 & 3
Hidden Away / Josh Groban - Station 4 & 5
Titanium (David Guetta ft. Sia) / Madilyn Bailey - Station 6
Come Home / OneRepublic & Sara Bareilles - Station 7
Be Still / The Killers - Stations 8 & 9
Lego House / Ed Sheeran - Station 10
Home / Phillip Phillips - Station 11
A Thousand Years / Christina Perri - Station 12
After the Storm / Mumford & Sons - Station 13
Fix You / Coldplay - Station 14
Back to the Place / David Walker
Your Love Is Like a River / Third Day
One / Damien Rice

2012

1. Without You - Boyce Avenue

2. What if This Storm Ends - Snow Patrol

3, 4. Same Mistake - James Blunt

5, 6. How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead

7. Be Still - The Fray

8. I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz

9. Steady As We Go - Dave Matthews Band

10, 11. You Know Where I'm At - Gavin DeGraw

12. Heaven (MTV Unplugged Version) - Bryan Adams

13. Fix You - Coldplay

14. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

2011

1. Incomplete - Backstreet Boys

2, 3. Say It to Me Now - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

4. The Scientist - Coldplay

5. Secrets - OneRepublic

6, 7. Take It All - Adele

8. Wonderwall - Straight No Chaser

9. The Only Exception - Paramore

10, 11. Only You - Yellowcard

12. The Story - Brandi Carlile

13. To Make You Feel My Love - Garth Brooks

14. Orange Sky - Alexi Murdoch

2010

1. Hold Me -Weezer

2, 3. Devils & Dust - Bruce Springsteen

4. Realize - Colbie Caillat

5. Trust Me - The Fray

6, 7. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

8. Gravity - John Mayer

9. One - U2

10, 11. Fix You - Coldplay

12. Let it Be - Carol Woods and Timmy Mitchum

13. Remember When It Rained - Josh Groban

14. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

Everything - Lifehouse

2009

1. My Oh My - David Gray

2. Devils & Dust - Bruce Springsteen

3. Realize - Colbie Caillat

4. Try - Nelly Furtado

5. Same Mistake - James Blunt

6. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

7. Someone to Die For - Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

8. Gravity - John Mayer

9. The Guide - Borne

10. Lay it Down - Matt Maher

11. Fix You - Coldplay

12. I Will Lift My Eyes - Bebo Norman

13. Remember When It Rained - Josh Groban

14. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

Everything - Lifehouse

2008

1. My Oh My - David Gray
2. Incomplete - Backstreet Boys
3. Somewhere In Between - Lifehouse
4. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
5. Only You - Yellowcard
6. Time After Time - Eva Cassidy
7. Absence of Fear - Jewel
8. Ordinary - Train
9. My Hero - Foo Fighters
10. Weird - Hanson
11. Hurt - Johnny Cash
12. Run - Snow Patrol
13. My Desire - Jeremy Camp
14. The More I Seek You - Kari Jobe

2007

1. Someone to Die For Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May
2. Daisy - Switchfoot
3. Ordinary - Train
4. Call And Answer - Barenaked Ladies
5. My Hero - Foo Fighters
6. How Could You Say No - Steve Angrisano
7. Jesus Was an Only Son - Bruce Springsteen
8. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
9. Have a Little Faith in Me - John Hiatt
10. The Other Side - David Gray
11. Thief - Third Day
12. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) - Sara Groves
13. Fix You - Coldplay
14. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

2006

1. Someone to Die For - Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May
2. Jealous Kind - Jars Of Clay
3. Ordinary - Train
4. Strong Enough - Stacie Orrico
5. Daisy - Switchfoot
6. How Could You Say No - Steve Angrisano
7. Streets of Philadelphia - Bruce Springsteen
8. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - U2
9. Come To Jesus - Mindy Smith
10. The Scientist - Coldplay
11. The Other Side - David Gray
12. The Promise - Tracy Chapman
13. Orange Sky - Alexi Murdoch
14. Come To Me - Kari Jobe
Surrender - Vineyard UK

Traditional Stations of the Cross

The Traditional Stations of the Cross have been a part of Catholic devotional practice for centuries. Below I have lists of songs I have used in services of the Stations of the Cross from the past ten years. The number(s) before each song corresponds to the Station(s) and Biblical passage(s) intended for participants' focus. I encourage you to prayerfully and creatively use these suggestions for your own community.

2008 - Traditional Stations of the Cross

1. Someone to Die For - Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

2. Devils & Dust - Bruce Springsteen

3. Hold Me - Weezer

4. Let It Be Done - Chris Muglia

5. Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

6. The Guide - Borne

7. Gravity - John Mayer

8. The Story - Brandi Carlile

9. Love Song - Third Day

10. Fix You - Coldplay

11. Liquid - Jars of Clay

12. Remember When It Rained - Josh Groban

13. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

14. Everything - Lifehouse

2007

1. Someone to Die For - Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May
2. Daisy - Switchfoot
3. Ordinary - Train
4. Call And Answer - Barenaked Ladies
5. My Hero - Foo Fighters
6. To Make You Feel My Love - Garth Brooks
7. Jesus Was an Only Son - Bruce Springsteen
8. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
9. Have a Little Faith in Me - John Hiatt
10. The Other Side - David Gray
11. Thief - Third Day
12. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) - Sara Groves
13. Fix You - Coldplay
14. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay
Everything - Lifehouse

2006

1. My Hero - Foo Fighters

2. Someone to Die For - Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

3. Come My Way - Skillet

4. Mary, Did You Know? - Various Artists

5. I'll Stand By You - Pretenders

6. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - U2

7. Twenty-Four - Switchfoot

8. Come To Jesus - Mindy Smith

9. Strong Enough - Stacie Orrico

10. With This Love (Choir) - Peter Gabriel

11. Ordinary - Train

12. Different - Acceptance

13. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

14. Everything - Lifehouse

Angels Fall Down (Hidden Track) Skillet

2005

1. Wonderwall - Oasis

2. Someone to Die For - Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

3. Come My Way - Skillet

4. Let It Be - The Beatles

5. I'll Stand By You - Pretenders

6. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who

7. You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

8. Come To Jesus - Mindy Smith

9. The Scientist - Coldplay

10. Twenty-Four - Switchfoot

11. To Make You Feel My Love - Garth Brooks

12. With This Love (Choir) - Peter Gabriel

13. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

14. Everything - Lifehouse

Angels Fall Down (Hidden Track) - Skillet

2004

1. Wonderwall - Oasis

2. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) - Phil Collins

3. Streets of Philadelphia - Bruce Springsteen

4. Let It Be - The Beatles

5. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - Hollies

6. The Scientist - Coldplay

7. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who

8. To Make You Feel My Love - Garth Brooks

9. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.

10. Lonely Stranger - Eric Clapton

11. How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead

12. Songbird - Fleetwood Mac

13. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

14. Pie Jesu - Sarah Brightman & Paul Miles-Kingston

Everything - Lifehouse

2003

1. Wonderwall - Oasis

2. The Scientist - Coldplay

3. Streets of Philadelphia - Bruce Springsteen

4. Let It Be - The Beatles

5. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - Hollies

6. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who

7. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.

8. Don't Cry - Seal

9. Songbird - Fleetwood Mac

10. Lonely Stranger - Eric Clapton

11. How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead

12. Put Your Lights On - Santana

13. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay

14. One - U2

I'm Set Free (Velvet Underground) - Beck, Thom Yorke

2002 - Original Set

1. Wonderwall - Oasis
2, 3. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
4. Let It Be - The Beatles
5, 6, 7, 8. Lonely Stranger - Eric Clapton
9, 10. How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead
11, 12. Put Your Lights On - Santana
13. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay
14. One - U2

Music Suggestions for The Stations of the Cross Condensed

Traditional Stations of the Cross

Station I ~ Jesus is Condemned to Death

Station II ~ Jesus Receives the Cross

Station III ~ Jesus Falls the First Time

Station IV ~ Jesus Meets His Mother Mary

Station V ~ Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Station VI ~ Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Station VII ~ Jesus Falls the Second Time

Station VIII ~ Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Station IX ~ Jesus Falls the Third Time

Station X ~ Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Station XI ~ Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Station XII ~ Jesus Dies on the Cross

Station XIII ~ Jesus’ Body is Taken Down from the Cross

Station XIV ~ Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Station I ~ Jesus is Condemned to Death

Wonderwall, Oasis

My Hero, Foo Fighters

Deliver Me, David Crowder Band

Someone To Die For, Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

Station II ~ Jesus Receives the Cross

Losing My Religion, R.E.M.

The Scientist, Coldplay

Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now), Phil Collins

Someone to Die For, Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

Daisy, Switchfoot

Be Still, My Soul, Traditional

Devils and Dust, Bruce Springsteen

Station III ~ Jesus Falls the First Time

Streets of Philadelphia, Bruce Springsteen

Come My Way, Skillet

Ordinary, Train

All to You, Bleach

Hold Me, Weezer

Station IV ~ Jesus Meets His Mother Mary

Let it Be, The Beatles

Mary, Did You Know?

Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song), Sara Groves

Let It Be Done, Chris Muglia

Listen to Your Heart, D.H.T.

You’ll Be In My Heart, Phil Collins

I Will Lift My Eyes, Bebo Norman

Station V ~ Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, Hollies

The Scientist, Coldplay

I’ll Stand By You, Pretenders

Try, Nelly Furtado

Daisy, Switchfoot

Nothing Back, According to John

Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own, U2

Station VI ~ Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Behind Blue Eyes, The Who

The Scientist, Coldplay

How Could You Say No, Steve Agrisano

To Make You Feel My Love, Garth Brooks

The Guide, Borne

Time After Time, Eva Cassidy

Come My Way, Skillet

Station VII ~ Jesus Falls the Second Time

Lonely Stranger, Eric Clapton

Losing My Religion, R.E.M.

You Raise Me Up, Josh Groban

Twenty-Four, Switchfoot

Jesus Was an Only Son, Bruce Springsteen

Love Song, Third Day

Gravity, John Mayer

How to Disappear Completely, Radiohead

Station VIII ~ Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Don’t Cry, Seal

To Make You Feel My Love, Garth Brooks

Come To Jesus, Mindy Smith

Have a Little Faith in Me, John Hiatt

Give Me Jesus, Fernando Ortega

The Story, Brandi Carlile

Absence of Fear, Jewel

Station IX ~ Jesus Falls the Third Time

Songbird, Fleetwood Mac

Strong Enough, Stacie Orrico

Love Song, Third Day

To Make You Feel My Love, Garth Brooks

Station X ~ Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Lonely Stranger, Eric Clapton

How To Disappear Completely, Radiohead

Fix You, Coldplay

Twenty-Four, Switchfoot

The Scientist, Switchfoot

With This Love (Choir), Peter Gabriel

The Other Side, David Gray

Station XI ~ Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Liquid, Jars of Clay

Fix You, Coldplay

Thief, Third Day

Surrender, Vineyard U.K.

Station XII ~ Jesus Dies on the Cross

Remember When It Rained, Josh Groban

Put Your Lights On, Santana

With This Love (Choir), Peter Gabriel

Fix You, Coldplay

Station XIII ~ Jesus’ Body is Taken Down from the Cross

Worlds Apart, Jars of Clay

Station XIV ~ Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Everything, Lifehouse

One, U2

Pie Jesu, Sarah Brightman

Station XV ~ The Resurrection

Fix You, Coldplay

The More I Seek You, Kari Jobe

Give Me Jesus, Fernado Ortega

Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus), Chris Rice

Everything, Lifehouse

Angels Fall Down, Skillet

Surrender, Vineyard U.K.

Breathe, Vineyard U.K.

This Years Love, David Gray

Be Still, Matt Maher

All To You, Bleach

Nothing Back, According To John

Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet, Jars of Clay

I’m Set Free, Thom Yorke, Beck

I Will Lift My Eyes, Bebo Norman

Biblical Stations of the Cross to Contemporary Music

Station I ~ Jesus’ Agony in the Garden

Station II ~ Jesus is Betrayed by Judas

Station III ~ Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

Station IV ~ Jesus is Denied by Peter

Station V ~ Jesus is Judged by Pilate

Station VI ~ Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

Station VII ~ Jesus Bears the Cross

Station VIII ~ Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian

Station IX ~ Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Station X ~ Jesus is Crucified

Station XI ~ Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief

Station XII ~ Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple

Station XIII ~ Jesus Dies on the Cross

Station XIV ~ Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

Station XV ~ The Resurrection

Station I ~ Jesus’ Agony in the Garden

Someone To Die For, Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

My Oh My, David Gray

Wonderwall

Devils and Dust, Bruce Springsteen

Station II ~ Jesus is Betrayed by Judas

Jealous Kind, Jars of Clay

Someone to Die For, Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

Incomplete, Backstreet Boys

Hold Me, Weezer

Bring Me To Life, Evanescence

Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Station III ~ Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

Ordinary, Train

Daisy, Switchfoot

Listen to Your Heart, D.H.T.

Station IV ~ Jesus is Denied by Peter

Strong Enough, Stacie Orrico

Ordinary, Train

Twenty-Four, Switchfoot

Listen to Your Heart, D.H.T.

Try, Nelly Furtado

Station V ~ Jesus is Judged by Pilate

Daisy, Switchfoot

Call and Answer, Barenaked Ladies

Which Will, Nick Drake

Somewhere in Between, Lifehouse

The Story, Brandi Calile

Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Station VI ~ Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

How Could You Say No, Steve Angrisano

My Hero, Foo Fighters

Hurt, Johnny Cash

Station VII ~ Jesus Bears the Cross

Streets of Philadelphia, Bruce Springsteen

Jesus Was an Only Son, Bruce Springsteen

Absence of Fear, Jewel

Love Song, Third Day

Station VIII ~ Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian

Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own, U2

Behind Blue Eyes, The Who

Gravity, John Mayer

Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Station IX ~ Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Come To Jesus, Mindy Smith

Have a Little Faith in Me, John Hiat

Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis

The Guide, Borne

Station X ~ Jesus is Crucified

The Scientist, Coldplay

The More I Seek You, Kari Jobe

Empty and Beautiful, Matt Maher

Lay It Down, Matt Maher

Liquid, Jars of Clay

I Will Lift My Eyes, Bebo Norman

Station XI ~ Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief

The Other Side, David Gray

Thief, Third Day

Station XII ~ Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple

Let it Be, The Beatles

Mary, Did You Know?

Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song), Sara Groves

Let It Be Done, Chris Muglia

I Will Lift My Eyes, Bebo Norman

Listen to Your Heart, D.H.T.

The Promise, Tracey Chapman

You’ll Be In My Heart, Phil Collins

Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Station XIII ~ Jesus Dies on the Cross

Orange Sky, Alexi Murdoch

Fix You, Coldplay

Remember When It Rained, Josh Groban

Station XIV ~ Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

Come To Me, Kari Jobe

Worlds Apart, Jars of Clay

Station XV ~ The Resurrection

The More I Seek You, Kari Jobe

Give Me Jesus, Fernado Ortega

Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus), Chris Rice

Everything, Lifehouse

Angels Fall Down, Skillet

Surrender, Vineyard U.K.

Breathe, Vineyard U.K.

This Years Love, David Gray

Be Still, Matt Maher

All To You, Bleach

Nothing Back, According To John

Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet, Jars of Clay

I’m Set Free, Thom Yorke, Beck

Fix You, Coldplay

I Will Lift My Eyes, Bebo Norman

Alphabetical Listing

Above All Michael W. Smith

Absence of Fear Jewel

Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) Phil Collins

All Creatures Of Our God and King David Crowder Band

All to You Bleach

Angels Fall Down (Hidden Track) Skillet

At The Foot Of The Cross Kathryn Scott

Be Still The Fray

Be Still Matt Maher

Be Still My Soul Beth Nielsen Chapman, Donald Shaw & Michael McGoldrick

Be Thou My Vision Various Artists & The London Festival Orchestra

Behind Blue Eyes The Who

Bleeding Love Leona Lewis

Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) Sara Groves

Breathe Vineyard UK

Bring Me To Life Evanescence

Call And Answer Barenaked Ladies

Come My Way Skillet

Come To Jesus Mindy Smith

Come To Me Kari Jobe

Daisy Switchfoot

Deliver Me David Crowder Band

Devils & Dust Bruce Springsteen

Different Acceptance

Don't Cry Seal

Don't Know Much Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt

Empty and Beautiful Matt Maher

Everything Lifehouse

Faithfully - Journey Boyce Avenue

Falling Slowly Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova with Marja Tuhkanen and Bertrand Galen

Fix You Coldplay

Give Me Jesus Fernando Ortega

Gravity John Mayer

The Guide Borne

Have a Little Faith in Me John Hiatt

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother Hollies

Heaven (MTV Unplugged Version) Bryan Adams

Hold Me Weezer

How Could You Say No Steve Angrisano

How To Disappear Completely Radiohead

Hurt Johnny Cash

I Will Lift My Eyes Bebo Norman

I Won't Give Up Jason Mraz

I'll Stand By You Pretenders

I'm Set Free (Velvet Underground) Beck, Thom Yorke

Incomplete Backstreet Boys

Jealous Kind Jars Of Clay

Jesus Was an Only Son Bruce Springsteen

Jesus, Lover Of My Soul Kari Jobe

Jesus, Lover Of My Soul Passion

Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet Jars Of Clay

Lay it Down Matt Maher

Let It Be The Beatles

Let it Be Carol Woods and Timmy Mitchum

Let It Be Done Chris Muglia

Lions And Bulls Berklee College Of Music

Liquid Jars of Clay

Listen To Your Heart D.H.T.

Lonely Stranger Eric Clapton

Losing My Religion R.E.M.

Love Song Third Day

Lover Of My Soul Martin Doman

Mary Sweet Mary Selah & Plumb

Mary, Did You Know? Various Artists

The More I Seek You Kari Jobe

My Desire Jeremy Camp

My Hero Foo Fighters

My Oh My David Gray

Nothing Back According to John

Nothing Without You [Intimate] Bebo Norman

One U2

The Only Exception Paramore

Only You David Crowder Band

Only You Yellowcard

Orange Sky Alexi Murdoch

Ordinary Train

The Other Side David Gray

Pie Jesu Sarah Brightman & Paul Miles-Kingston

The Promise Tracy Chapman

Put Your Lights On Santana

Realize Colbie Caillat

Remember When It Rained Josh Groban

Run Snow Patrol

Same Mistake James Blunt

Say It to Me Now Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

The Scientist Coldplay

Secrets OneRepublic

So Near Vineyard UK

Someone to Die For Jimmy Gnecco & Brian May

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own U2

Somewhere In Between Lifehouse

Songbird Fleetwood Mac

Steady As We Go Dave Matthews Band

The Story Brandi Carlile

Streets of Philadelphia Bruce Springsteen

Strong Enough Stacie Orrico

Surrender Vineyard UK

Take It All Adele

Take My Life Kari Jobe

Thief Third Day

This Years Love David Gray

A Thousand Years Christina Perri

Time After Time Eva Cassidy

To Make You Feel My Love Garth Brooks

Trust Me The Fray

Try Nelly Furtado

Twenty-Four Switchfoot

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) Chris Rice

Warning Sign Coldplay

Weird Hanson

What if This Storm Ends Snow Patrol

With This Love (Choir) Peter Gabriel

Without You Boyce Avenue

Wonderwall Oasis

Wonderwall Straight No Chaser

Worlds Apart Jars of Clay

You Know Where I'm At Gavin DeGraw

You Raise Me Up Josh Groban

You'll Be In My Heart Phil Collins

Pax Worship - Listening Loves God

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