Week Twenty-Seven–Stations of the Cross

The Fifth Sunday of Lent–Following Jesus

“Following Jesus means doing his will and letting him act in our hearts and in our minds.”

Source: MagnifiKid! March 18, 2018 The Fifth Sunday of Lent Vol. 15. Part 4. Section 4 Page 13

For Parents To Teach To Their Children

We Follow Jesus Through The Stations of the Cross

The three books here all offer something helpful and special for different age and reading levels.

My Catholic Lent and Easter Activity Book by Jennifer Galvin, is an excellent and thorough introduction to Lent and Easter, as the title states, beginning with “An Act of Contrition” and including a coloring pages on “The Ascension” and a worksheet on “Gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Galvin’s “Stations of the Cross” on pages 16 and 17 are simple and age appropriate for younger children.

“In the Stations of the Cross, we remember how Jesus suffered and died for us. There are fourteen stations.”…”To pray the Stations of the Cross, we begin each station with this prayer:

“We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” (page 16)

I highly recommend this book for families with children ages 7-10. It is a great way to learn about the life and Passion of Jesus Christ.

Stations of the Cross For Children by Julianne M. Will, Illustrated by Patricia Mattozzi for children ages 6-12, is a beautiful book. The text helps children understand how the Stations of the Cross are relevant to them:

“For us, the Stations of the Cross are a prayer journey. We read these fourteen stations to learn what happened to Jesus when he died. When we see how much Jesus suffered, we realize just how much he loved us. We can say prayers of thanks and love every step of his way. When things are tough in our own lives, we can imagine what it was like to be in his sandals.” (page 3)

“We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”  (page 4 )

I enjoyed reading this lovely book on the Stations of the Cross. The text was gently powerful and sensitive, and the illustrations are stark and stylized. Each illustration is like a beautiful icon. This is another wonderful book for a family’s library.

WALKING WITH JESUS TO CALVARY Stations of the Cross For Children by Angela M. Burrin, Illustrated by Maria Christina Lo Cascio is a beautiful and elegant book for children on the Stations of the Cross. I like how the book is organized. It begins with the question, “What Are the Stations of the Cross?”

“Jesus made a journey from the city of Jerusalem to the hill of Calvary. He carried a heavy cross along the Via Dolorosa, which means, ‘Road of Sadness.’ Jesus stopped many times before he reached Calvary, where he was crucified. The stops on Jesus’ journey are now known as the Stations of the Cross–or the Way of the Cross.” (page 6)

 

Before beginning reading about each of the fourteen Stations of the Cross, the reader is given information on “How to Pray the Stations of the Cross” and the list of “The Fourteen Stations of the Cross.” “The Night Before Jesus Died” sets the scene for the sorrow ahead, as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“There, on his knees, he prayed, ‘Father, take this cup from me, but not my will, but yours be done.’ He prayed so hard he sweated drops of blood.” (page 8)

The author includes a message to young readers at the end of each station giving them a small inspiration or prayer to recite on their own.

This is a book that could be read each Lent as a family.

 

Children’s Stations of the Cross Resources

Stations of the Cross for Kids from Aingelkiss.com (Appropriate for Young Children)

PDF Stations of the Cross from LoyolaPress.com (For Older Children)

On-Line Presentation of The Stations of the Cross by LoyolaPress.com (Same text as above.)

If You Can’t Get to a Stations of the Cross Service, Pray a Stations Chaplet!

 

Chaplet and Stations of the Cross

 

 Video on the Difference between a Rosary and Chaplet

A person can pray the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers, using the beads, as stated in the video and reflecting on each station of the Cross. I can see children enjoying this devotion with their parents.

Art on the Agony in the Garden

Jesus Prays

This is a cut paper art project that I did using pre-cut paper strips, stickers, glue, and paper flowers that come out of a special hole punch. This was fun to do, but is too complicated for younger children. Simplify it for them, or do it with them.  Here are some easier (and lovely!) possibilities for using cut paper and a glue stick to depict the Garden of Gethsemane with young children that shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes:

Homework Suggestions

Preparing for Palm Sunday

Please read “Hosanna!” (John 12:12-19) in Catholic Book of Bible Stories, page 168-170, or another Catholic Child’s Bible, or this passage from your family Bible. Also, read God’s Blessing, “Faith to Grow” and “Prayer” on page 171. If possible, take your child to a “Stations of the Cross” service this week.

For a simple art project, have your child draw or paint the word “Hosanna” (“Highest praise! … Rejoicing”) and include a palm tree or palm frond (branch), using art supplies on hand.

Learn About Jesus Through the Mysteries of the Rosary

Over Lent, read the Bible passage for one of the Sorrowful Mysteries each Sunday. Help your child begin to name them.

The Sorrowful Mysteries (These are recited Tuesdays and Fridays)

“THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN (Luke 22:43)
THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR (John 19:1)
THE CROWNING WITH THORNS (Matthew 27:28-29)
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS (Mark 15:22)
THE CRUCIFIXION” (John 19:25-27)
Source: The Sorrowful Mysteries from Rosary-Center.org

Rosary Coloring Sheet from CatholicMom.com

Click to Enlarge–Follow Printer Prompts to Print