Grace Thompson
The number of times Jesus fell on his journey to Calvary is unknown. The traditional number of times Jesus fell is three, which corresponds to the number of temptations he suffered while fasting in the desert. However, Blessed Catherine Emmerich claimed that Jesus fell seven times, each fall corresponding to one of the seven deadly sins. Pope John Paul II removed the seventh and ninth falls from the 14 stations in the early 1990s, replacing them with tableaux showing Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross and Jesus being nailed to the cross.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times Jesus fell according to Blessed Catherine Emmerich | 7 |
| Number of times Jesus fell according to modern tradition | 3 |
| Number of temptations Our Lord suffered while fasting in the desert | 3 |
| Number of days Jonah was in the belly of the whale | 3 |
| Number of days Jesus spent in the tomb | 3 |
| Number of times Peter disclaimed the Lord | 3 |
| Number of evil spirits taken out of Mary Magdalene | 7 |
| Number of stations of the cross where Jesus fell | 3, 7, 9 |
| Number of stations of the cross | 14 |
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What You'll Learn
The number of times Jesus fell is unknown
While the majority of sources state that Jesus fell three times, there are also references to him falling seven times, and some sources claim that he fell many times. However, it is important to note that the Gospels do not provide specific details about every aspect of Christ's Passion, and the exact number of falls is not mentioned.
The belief that Jesus fell three times holds symbolic significance in Catholic tradition. The number three represents completeness, such as the three days Jonah spent in the belly of the whale and the three days Jesus spent in the tomb. It also corresponds to the three temptations that Jesus endured while fasting in the desert.
On the other hand, Blessed Catherine Emmerich, as described in her book "The Visions of Catherine Emmerich", proposed that Jesus fell seven times. This number is associated with infinity and has biblical significance. For instance, seven evil spirits were cast out of Mary Magdalene, and the "seven times seven formula" of forgiveness is mentioned in the Bible.
In the early 1990s, Pope John Paul II made changes to the traditional Stations of the Cross, removing references to Jesus' seventh and ninth falls. These changes were implemented in churches like the centuries-old Sta Ursula Parish in Binangonan, Rizal, where the tableaux depicting the falls were replaced with scenes of Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross and Jesus being nailed to it.
While the exact number of times Jesus fell may never be known, his experience serves as a reminder that falling and struggling are part of the human condition. Jesus, through his own suffering, understands the challenges we face and provides us with strength and compassion.
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Traditional number of falls is three
The traditional number of falls during Jesus' Passion is depicted as three, a number that holds symbolic value in Christianity. This symbolism is rooted in the belief that three represents the Holy Trinity, comprising the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. By associating the number of falls with the Trinity, the falls take on a deeper spiritual significance within the Catholic faith.
This tradition is reflected in artistic depictions of Jesus' Passion, where three falls are often shown as a way of emphasizing the human suffering and sacrifice of Christ. These falls are seen as symbolic of the weight of humanity's sins that Jesus bore during his journey to crucifixion. Each fall serves as a reminder of his physical and emotional anguish, as well as his unwavering devotion to fulfilling his divine mission.
The Stations of the Cross, a traditional Catholic devotion, also reflect this number. The Third Station commemorates Jesus' first fall, where he stumbles under the weight of the cross. At the Sixth Station, a bystander named Simon of Cyrene is compelled to help Jesus carry his cross, providing temporary relief after the second fall. Finally, the Ninth Station marks Jesus' third fall, emphasizing the physical exhaustion and intense suffering he endured.
Contemplating these three falls offers Catholics an opportunity to reflect on their own struggles and find solace in the idea that Jesus endured similar trials. It serves as a reminder that suffering is an inherent part of the human condition, and that through faith and perseverance, one can find the strength to bear life's burdens. Moreover, these falls underscore the belief in Christ's humanity and the immense sacrifice he made for the redemption of humankind.
The number three holds a special place in Christian numerology, and its association with the Trinity lends a profound theological dimension to the tradition. Each fall, then, becomes a moment of spiritual reflection, inviting Catholics to meditate on the mystery of the Trinity, the nature of Christ's sacrifice, and the enduring love of God. This numerological symbolism adds another layer of significance to the traditional understanding of Jesus' three falls during his Passion.
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Three falls symbolise temptations suffered while fasting
The number of times Jesus fell while carrying his cross to Calvary is unknown. However, the traditional number of falls is three, which symbolises the number of temptations Jesus suffered while fasting in the desert.
The Stations of the Cross, found in almost every Catholic Church, depict the events that occurred during Jesus' journey to Calvary. Traditionally, three of these stations—stations 3, 7, and 9—described three times Jesus fell under the weight of the cross. However, in the 1990s, Pope John Paul II removed Christ's last two falls from the official stations, replacing them with tableaux showing Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross and Jesus being nailed to the cross.
The reduction in the number of falls from three to one is an attempt to align the stations with the biblical account. According to Fr. Dave Vincent Onilongo, a priest at one of the Philippines' oldest parishes, Sta. Ursula Parish, the new stations are based on a more faithful adherence to the Bible, as there is nothing in the Bible that says Jesus fell more than once.
Despite this change, the traditional number of three falls continues to hold symbolic significance for Catholics. In biblical terminology, the number three signifies completeness, such as the three days Jesus spent in the tomb before his resurrection. Thus, the three falls of Jesus can be interpreted as a representation of the three temptations he endured during his fast in the desert.
Through his falls, Jesus demonstrates his understanding of human weakness and frailty. Despite his divinity, Jesus experienced physical and emotional pain, exhaustion, and the struggle to keep moving. By enduring these trials, Jesus shows his willingness to immerse himself in the human condition, empathising with our weaknesses and offering compassion and strength to those who fall.
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Blessed Catherine Emmerich says Jesus fell seven times
The number of times Jesus fell during his Passion is unknown. The traditional number of times Jesus fell is three, corresponding to the number of temptations he suffered while fasting in the desert. However, Blessed Catherine Emmerich, a Roman Catholic Augustinian canoness and mystic, claimed that Jesus fell seven times while carrying his Cross to Golgotha.
Emmerich, who was born in 1774 and died in 1824, had numerous visions of Jesus and Mary. In her writings, she recalled her visions, describing how the Virgin Mary created a "Way of the Cross" in Jerusalem, following Jesus' path to Calvary. After Mary's death, Christians visited this path, which had twelve stations marked by memorial stones.
Emmerich interpreted Jesus' seven falls as corresponding to the seven deadly sins that send souls to hell. This interpretation aligns with the biblical significance of the number seven, which often signifies infinity or completeness. For example, there were seven evil spirits taken out of Mary Magdalene, and the 'seven times seven formula' of forgiveness prescribed by the Lord.
While the Gospels do not document every detail of Christ's Passion, the belief that Jesus fell seven times is based on Emmerich's visions and the symbolic significance of the number seven in Catholic tradition.
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Seven falls symbolise the seven deadly sins
The number of times Jesus fell on his journey to Calvary is unknown. However, Blessed Catherine Emmerich, in her Visions of Catherine Emmerich, claimed that Jesus fell seven times while carrying his Cross to Golgotha. Each of these seven falls is said to correspond to one of the seven deadly sins.
The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a group of sins in Christian theology that are considered particularly destructive to the soul and are called "deadly" because they can lead to spiritual death if not repented and forgiven. They are believed to spur other sins and further immoral behaviour. The seven deadly sins are:
- Pride: This sin is associated with a sense of superiority and can lead to a person's downfall and destruction.
- Envy: This sin involves feeling a sense of longing or covetousness for what others have.
- Gluttony: This sin is about overindulgence and excess, particularly in food and drink.
- Lust: This sin is characterized by intense or uncontrolled sexual desire, which can lead to adultery or immoral thoughts.
- Anger: This sin is a strong feeling of anger or wrath, which can lead to violence or hatred.
- Greed: This sin involves a strong desire for wealth, often at the expense of others.
- Sloth: This sin is about laziness and indolence, including the neglect of spiritual duties and responsibilities.
The seven falls of Jesus, as described by Blessed Catherine Emmerich, can be seen as symbolic of these seven deadly sins. Each fall represents a moment when Jesus succumbed to the weight of the cross, just as humans may succumb to the temptations of these sins. By understanding Jesus' falls in this way, Catholics can find a deeper meaning in their devotion and a reminder that Jesus experienced similar struggles to those they face in their own lives.
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Frequently asked questions
There is nothing in the Bible that mentions Jesus falling more than once.
Traditionally, Jesus is believed to have fallen three times on his journey to Calvary, with each fall corresponding to the three temptations he faced while fasting in the desert.
Blessed Catherine Emmerich believed that Jesus fell seven times while carrying his Cross to Golgotha, with each fall corresponding to one of the seven deadly sins.
