"The Way Of The Cross" is an adaptation of the historic Stations of the Cross, which developed in the 14th and 15th centuries to aid the devotional life of the faithful. In Jerusalem, the scenes of Christ's suffering had long been a goal of pilgrims and among them had been the traditional walk, later called the via dolorosa, which he traversed to his crucifixion. Since only a minority of Christians could journey to Jerusalem, these fourteen stations were set up in churches, usually in the form of pictures, where the faithful would consider the incidents in Jesus' sad and memorable progress to Golgotha. By following and pausing for prayer and meditation at each Station, the faithful would have their imaginations quickened and their devotion deepened.
"The Way Of The Cross" features several speaking parts and numerous pantomime roles, as well as musical solos and sound and lighting effects, to provide a dramatic and moving service.
Jon L. Joyce, author of more than a dozen drama, pastoral care, stewardship, and other church resource books, works in a wide variety of writing and editing fields. A pastor for ten years, during which he played an instrumental role in establishing the first wholistic care Neighborhood Church Clinic, in Springfield, Ohio, where he still lives, Joyce is a graduate of Wittenberg University and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.