Stations of the Cross for Children

Note 4/13/11: I found some small typos and have updated all the files.

One of the most popular hits on my blog is this little pamphlet for the Stations of the Cross for Children. My family used this version of the Stations of the Cross, and my mother remembers using it in her childhood. It’s so beautiful and moving. It’s not watered-down language for children, but aimed directly at the child in all of us. My sons want to pray them every day.

Our family always use a display flip easel with vertical pages with the Stations of the Cross prints that can purchased from CHC or Leaflet Missal Company. During our family prayers (see Living the Liturgical Year in the Home) the children take turns turning the pages. They enjoy having a visual aid that is bigger than the little booklets. These images happen to be the same images in the original booklet I owned. The following files are done in color, but our version had black and white pictures.

After 3 years, I’ve revamped, reformatted, and providing a few new options for the booklets. I found some wonderful Stations in Black and white, so for many of the files below, I’ve provided the B&W option.

Stations of the Cross cards to carry:
The newest way to print these stations is to print them double-sided on cardstock and hole-punch on the top and place on a ring. These are similar to the cards we created in My Little Advent, using 1 inch book or binder rings or larger. My children love to hole-punch, and then use a lanyard or pipe cleaners to create their own portable Stations. These are larger than the Advent cards; there are 4 per page, about 4″x5″ each.

Color Cards: Stations of the Cross Cards color
Black & White Cards: Stations of the Cross Cards B&W
Print these double-sided on cardstock.

Stations small booklets:

• Double-sided, cut to size: This version is paginated for double-sided printing to make into a booklet. Cut to size after folding and stapling.
  Color: Stations of the Cross print double-sided pamphlet, cut to size 
  Black and White: Stations of the Cross print Double-sided pamphlet, cut to size, B&W
• One-Sided, Landscape, Small Size:
  This version is landscape form with the one station and image on each page. Print one-sided, either fold into booklet, or staple together. This will need to be cut down to size, also.
  Color: Stations booklet one-sided Color, cut to size
  Black & White: Stations booklet one-sided cut to size B&W

Stations, Full Page and Pamplets:

• Full Size Pamphlet, Paginated, Print Double-Sided
  This version is paginated to print double-sided, but it’s not necessary to cut down the pages.
  Color: Stations paginated Color full page
  Black and White:
  Stations B&W paginated full page
• Stations to Staple, Landscape, for easy use:
  Another version is one that is Landscape format, 8 1/2 x 11 size, with 2 Stations per page. This we’re using for a simple, group handout.
  Color:
  2-stations 2 per page ColorStations 2 per page Color, one-sided
  Black & White: Stations 2 per page B&W, one-sided

Beside our flip easel, we also have a Stations box inspired by Joe and Irene Starrs and and also this 4Real thread for details. It’s all so very tangible, and gives a variety for inspiration during prayer.

Stations of the Cross Box by Joe and Irene Starrs:

Station 1 Jesus is Condemned to Death – a string to represent the rope used to tie Jesus’ hands
Station 2 Jesus Carries His Cross — a small cross
Station 3 Jesus Falls the First Time — three band-aids in the box to represent Jesus’ three falls. He explained it to my toddler (almost 2 at the time) as band-aids for Jesus, who fell down and “hurt the knee”.
Station 4 Jesus Meets His Mother Mary – a plastic rosary to represent the Blessed Mother
Station 5 Simon Helps Jesus — small wooden heart painted red to represent Simon’s generous help in carrying the cross.
Station 6 Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus — Joe took a rectangular piece of white fabric (cut from one of his old undershirts, actually) and drew the face of Jesus on it
Station 7 Jesus Falls the Second Time – bandaid
Station 8 Jesus Comforts the Women of Jerusalem — a tissue for their tears
Station 9 Jesus Falls the Third Time – bandaid
Station 10 Jesus is Stripped of His Garments — a small square of purple felt to represent His purple cloak
Station 11 Jesus is Nailed to the Cross — a large nail
Station 12 Jesus Dies on the Cross — a crucifix
Station 13 Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross — a laminated holy card depicting Michelangelo’s Pieta
Station 14 Jesus is Buried – a stone to represent the stone rolled in front of the tomb