Why is there three hours in the stations of the Cross?

Answer 1

Catholic Answer

There are not three hours in the Stations of the Cross. The norms for the plenary indulgence for making the Stations of the Cross include the usual 1) confession within the week, 2) Holy Communion on that same day, and 3) prayers for the Pontiff along with the specific regulations for the Stations of the Cross, which are listed below.

from Enchiridion of Indulgences Norms and Grants, Authorized English Edition, translated by William T. Barry, C.SS.R., Catholic Book Publishing, Co., New York, 1969

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who make the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross.

In the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross we recall anew the sufferings, which the divine Redeemer endured, while going from the praetorium of Pilate, where he was condemned to death, to the mount of Calvary, where He died on the cross for our salvation.

The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms:

1) The pious exercise must be made before stations of the Way of the Cross legitimately erected.

2) For the erection of the Way of the Cross fourteen crosses are required, to which it is customary to add fourteen pictures of images, which represent the stations of Jerusalem.

3) According to the more common practice, the pious exercise consists of fourteen pious readings, to which some vocal prayers are added. However, nothing more is required than a pious meditation on the Passion and Death of the Lord, which need not be a particular consideration of the individual mysteries of the stations.

4) A movement from one station to the next is required.

But if the pious exercise is made publically and if it is not possible for all taking part to go in an orderly way from station to station, it sufficient if at least the one conducting the exercise goes from station to station, the other remaining their place.

Those who are "impeded" can gain the same indulgence, if they spend at least one half an hour in pious reading and meditation on the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For those belonging to Oriental rites, amongst whom this pious exercise is not practiced, the respective Patriarchs can determine some other pious exercise in memory of the Passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ for the gaining of this indulgence.