How to do the Way of the Cross at home with children

Many families will spend this Holy Week in their homes instead of going to church.Among all devotional experiences proposed this week, the Way of the Cross on Good Friday is the one that will bring Christians closest to the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. But is there a way to help our children find meaning in it?Yes, we we just need to use our creativity and imagination.

Making the 14 Stations of the Cross

The Passion of Christ stretches from His condemnation to the entombment of His body. Some of the stations have been directly inspired by Gospel accounts, while others have their roots in tradition. The important thing is to consider the Way of the Cross as a contemplation that allows us to gradually understand the mystery of Christ’s Passion.

Because Jesus died at three o’clock, it is preferable you begin meditating the Way of the Cross at this time. If you are at home, you can begin with a prayer, either sitting on a couch or walking through your home, following the movements of the priest on television, radio or internet.

You can easily organize your own Way of the Cross at home, based on the 14 stations from the commentaries on the texts of Holy Scripture and numerous missals and prayer books. You can punctuate the meditation with chants, minutes of silence and prayers recited together.

Children can illustrate the 14 Stations of the Cross and hang their artwork in different corners of the house. This will not only allow you to keep them busy during lockdown, but will also serve as catechism for them.

Here are some other ideas to spur you own creativity …

Christine Ponsard