The Stations of the Cross for Children was designed especially for younger children, with colorful illustrations and simple text that introduces them to the Passion of Jesus Christ on their level. Each station takes about two minutes to complete, including about thirty seconds of silent prayer. Optional prayers and Scripture references for each station offer a variety of ways to adapt and expand The Stations of the Cross for Children for older kids. And the opening and closing prayers place the Passion in the larger context of Jesus’ mission…and every Christian’s call to continue that mission in the world today.
The Stations of the Cross for Children has an imprimatur from the Diocese of Winona.
Why doesn’t The Children’s Stations of the Cross follow the traditional stations?
Over the centuries, the Stations of the Cross have taken many forms. The form used in The Stations of the Cross for Children is the “New Way of the Cross” approved by the bishops of the Philippines and widely used there. This form of the Stations closely follows Pope John Paul II’s Scriptural Stations of the Cross, later formally promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI in a slightly different form in 2007.
Like the Scriptural Stations of the Cross, the form used in The Stations of the Cross for Children more closely aligns with the Scriptural account of the Passion, and highlights episodes with rich theological significance that are absent in the traditional form, such as the scourging and crowning with thorns, the penitent thief, and the episode with John and Mary at the foot of the cross.
Additionally, this form of the Stations connects the sacrifice on Calvary to the sacrifice of the Mass, and places that sacrifice within the larger context of the story of salvation. It also prepares children for the Triduum, which begins with our recollection of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday and ends with the Resurrection at the Easter Vigil. For these reasons, The Stations of the Cross for Children is a good way to introduce young children to the story of the Passion.
Table of Contents
Opening Prayer
1. The Last Supper
2. The agony in the garden
3. Jesus is condemned to death
4. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns
5. Jesus carries his cross
6. Jesus falls
7. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus is nailed to the cross
10. Jesus promises his kingdom to the repentant thief
11. Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus is laid in the tomb
14. Jesus rises from the tomb
Closing Prayer
Ways to Use This Book
Optional Prayers
