On the Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday, the Church walks with Jesus on His way to the cross, stopping at fourteen “stations” to remember what happened and to pray. Here they are told gently for little ones, with a picture and one small thing we can do. Many parishes add a fifteenth station, the Resurrection, because the story does not end at the tomb: Jesus is alive!
Fridays of Lent 2027:
At each station, the leader says the first line and everyone answers. Many people genuflect (bend one knee) or bow.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Then look at the picture, hear what happened, and think of one way to be like Jesus.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, we want to walk with You on Your way of the cross. Help us to remember how much You love us, and to love You back. Amen.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Pilate said that Jesus must die, even though Jesus had done nothing wrong. Jesus stayed quiet and calm, and kept on loving everyone.
We can stay kind, even when something feels unfair.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus was given a big, heavy wooden cross to carry. He carried it because He loves us so much.
We can do hard jobs without grumbling, and offer them to Jesus.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The cross was very heavy, and Jesus fell down. Then He got up again and kept going.
We can get up and try again when things go wrong.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Mary, Jesus’ mother, came to be close to Him. Seeing each other gave them both love and courage.
We can give a hug or a kind word to someone who is sad.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers told a man called Simon to help. Simon carried the cross with Jesus.
We can help someone carry something heavy, like the shopping.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
A brave and kind lady called Veronica came close and gently wiped Jesus’ face with a soft cloth.
We can be kind and brave, even when other people are not.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus was very tired, and He fell again. But He did not give up, because He loves us.
We can keep going when we feel tired.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Some women were crying for Jesus. Jesus stopped and spoke to them, because He cared about them more than about Himself.
We can notice how other people feel, and care about them.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus fell a third time. He got up once more, because He wanted to finish His great work of love.
We can finish what we start, even when it is hard.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers took away Jesus’ clothes. Jesus gave up everything He had, for us.
We can share our things with people who need them.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers put Jesus on the cross. Jesus forgave them, and prayed, “Father, forgive them.”
We can forgive people who are unkind to us.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus gave His life for us on the cross, and He died. It was the greatest love there has ever been.
Everyone kneels for a quiet moment.
We can say “Thank You, Jesus” for loving us so much.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus’ friends gently took His body down from the cross. Mary, His mother, held Him close in her arms.
We can stay close to someone who is sad.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
His friends wrapped Jesus in a clean white cloth and laid Him in a tomb cut in the rock. Then everything was quiet, and they waited.
We can wait patiently, and trust that God keeps His promises.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead! The tomb was empty, because Jesus is alive, and He is with us always.
We can be full of joy, because Jesus is alive! At Easter we will sing “Alleluia!” again.
Thank You, Jesus, for loving us so much. Help us to love You, and to love each other, every day. Amen.
We end with an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be.
The Stations of the Cross for childrenA 20-page A5 booklet. Print double-sided on A4 (flip on the short edge), fold the pile in half and staple in the middle.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, we want to walk with You on Your way of the cross. Help us to remember how much You love us, and to love You back. Amen.
At each station, the leader says the first line and everyone answers. Many people genuflect (bend one knee) or bow.
Thank You, Jesus, for loving us so much. Help us to love You, and to love each other, every day. Amen.
We end with an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.