​Extreme Way of the Cross
​43 km walk

Friday, March 27, 2026
​Starting @6pm

Starts from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Thorold, passes through most of the Catholic sites in St. Catharines and returns to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR SAFETY

Please wear reflective clothing.
Take a smartphone with access to route maps.
As a backup bring with you printed route maps in case your phone fails.

Bring along water or snacks if necessary.
Bring a flashlight.

Do not travel alone but rather in a small group or with a partner making sure to maintain a meditative and silent atmosphere.

The route starts and ends at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parish in Thorold. Parking is available at the parish.
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Be aware of some busier roads with faster moving vehicles. Take care not to cross intersections in large groups.

ROUTE INFORMATION

The Extreme Way of the Cross will begin with Mass at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Thorold at 18:00.
After the priest's blessing the walking will begin.

Each Station of the Way of the Cross is situated at a Catholic church, school or cemetery.
​The route goes through the city of Thorold and St. Catharines.

1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death -  Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Thorold

2. Jesus Takes Up His Cross -  Catholic Center, Thorold (3.8 kms)

3. Jesus Falls the First Time - St. Julia Catholic Church (6.8 km)

4. Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother - St. Mary of the Assumption (10.1 kms)

5. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross - St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School (13.9 kms)

6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus - Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church (19.2 kms)

7. Jesus Falls a Second Time - St. John Ukranian Catholic Church. (22.2kms)

8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem - Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School (25.4 kms)

9. Jesus Falls the Third Time - Our Lady of Perpetual Help (28.4kms)

10. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments - Saints Cyril & Methodius Ukranian Church (29.3 kms)

11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross - St. Denis Catholic Church (31.1kms)

12. Jesus Dies on the Cross - Cathedral Of St. Catherine of Alexandria (32.7 kms)

13. Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross - St. Tomas Aquinas (35.3 kms)

14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb - Victoria Lawn Cemetery (42.9 kms)
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15. Closing prayer - Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Thorold 

Meditate on the Stations of the Cross


The 14 Stations of the Cross represent events from Jesus’ passion and death. At each station we use our senses and our imagination to reflect prayerfully upon Jesus’ suffering, Death, and Resurrection.
1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death. Our Lady of the Holy Roasry Catholic Church, Thorold
Pontius Pilate condemns Jesus to death.
2. Jesus Takes Up His Cross.
Jesus willingly accepts and patiently bears his cross.
3. Jesus Falls the First Time.
Weakened by torments and by loss of blood, Jesus falls beneath his cross.
4. Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother.
Jesus meets his mother, Mary, who is filled with grief.
5. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross.
Soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross.
6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus.
Veronica steps through the crowd to wipe the face of Jesus.
7. Jesus Falls a Second Time.
Jesus falls beneath the weight of the cross a second time.
8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem.
Jesus tells the women to weep not for him but for themselves and for their children.
9. Jesus Falls the Third Time.
Weakened almost to the point of death, Jesus falls a third time.
10. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments.
The soldiers strip Jesus of his garments, treating him as a common criminal.
11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross.
Jesus’ hands and feet are nailed to the cross.
12. Jesus Dies on the Cross.
After suffering greatly on the cross, Jesus bows his head and dies.
13. Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross.
The lifeless body of Jesus is tenderly placed in the arms of Mary, his mother.
14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb.
Jesus’ disciples place his body in the tomb.
15. Closing prayer
Reflects on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.