How Families Can Pray the Stations of the Cross Together This Lent

Lent is a sacred season in the Catholic Church — a time to slow down, repent, and walk more closely with Jesus on His journey to the Cross. One of the most beautiful Lent family traditions you can begin (or continue) is praying the Stations of the Cross each Friday.

If you’ve ever wondered how to pray Stations of the Cross with children — especially young ones — this guide will help you make it simple, meaningful, and approachable for your whole family.

What Are the Stations of the Cross?

The Stations of the Cross (also called the Way of the Cross) are a devotion that walks us through the final hours of Jesus’ life — from His condemnation to His burial.

When we pray the Stations, we spiritually walk with Jesus. We reflect on His suffering, His love, and His sacrifice for us.

For families, this devotion teaches children:

• What Jesus did for us on the Cross
• The depth of His love
• How to offer up small sacrifices
• How to stay close to Him during hard moments

Even young children can begin to understand that Jesus chose to suffer because He loves us.

When Do You Pray the Stations of the Cross?

Traditionally, Catholics pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent.

You have two beautiful options:

1. Attend at Your Local Parish

Most Catholic churches offer Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings during Lent. Check your parish bulletin for times. Praying in church allows your family to join the larger community in this powerful devotion.

2. Pray at Home as a Family

You can absolutely pray the Stations at home. In fact, meditating on the Stations together in your living room or prayer altar at home can become one of your most meaningful Catholic Lent ideas and family memories.

All you need is:

• A crucifix or cross
• A Stations prayer booklet
• A few quiet minutes

If you don’t yet have a crucifix displayed in your home, our St. Benedict Wall Crucifix in the Marie Madeleine Lent & Easter Gifts Collection is a beautiful and meaningful option. It serves as a powerful reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and creates a sacred focal point for prayer throughout Lent — and all year long.

How to Pray Stations of the Cross (Step by Step)

At each station, we reflect on a moment of Jesus’ journey to Calvary.

After announcing each station, we say together:

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

Response: Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

Then you read a short reflection or prayer. At Marie Madeleine, the My Lenten Prayer Booklet not only includes the daily Gospel readings for Lent, but also features reflections on the full Stations of the Cross in the back of the booklet.

Here are the 14 traditional Stations:

• Jesus is condemned to death
• Jesus carries His Cross
• Jesus falls the first time
• Jesus meets His Blessed Mother
• Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross
• Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
• Jesus falls the second time
• Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
• Jesus falls the third time
• Jesus is stripped of His garments
• Jesus is nailed to the Cross
• Jesus dies on the Cross
• Jesus is taken down from the Cross
• Jesus is laid in the tomb

Examples of how to keep reflections simple for young children:

• “Jesus fell because the Cross was heavy.”
• “Jesus kept going because He loves us.”
• “Mary stayed with Him because she is our Mother too.”

Praying the Stations with Young Children

If you have little ones, making the Stations tangible helps them understand.

One beautiful way to do this is to pair The Stations of the Cross Story Book with the Jesus of Nazareth Doll.

Inside The Stations of the Cross Story Book, you’ll find for each Station:

• A child-friendly illustration of the Station
• A short, accessible description
• A powerful challenge to live out the lesson in daily life
• A short prayer for reflection

This thoughtful format makes it simple for young hearts to grasp what Jesus endured — and why it matters.

As you read each station aloud, have your child hold onto Jesus. Let them physically “walk with Him” through each moment. This simple act helps children connect emotionally to what they are hearing.

You might say:

• “Hold Jesus gently.”
• “We stay with Jesus.”
• “We love You, Jesus.”

This child-friendly approach teaches them that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross was real — and it was for them.

Through repetition each Friday, children begin to understand:

• Jesus suffered.
• He chose love.
• He never stopped loving us.

That lesson will stay with them for life.

Making Fridays Special During Lent

To truly make the Way of the Cross part of your Lenten journey:

• Choose a consistent Friday time
• Light a candle
• Dim the lights
• Turn off phones
• Invite everyone to participate

You can even rotate who announces each station.

Over time, this becomes one of your most treasured Lent family traditions.

Children begin to anticipate Friday evenings — not just as the end of the week, but as a time to walk closely with Jesus.

Teaching the Meaning of Jesus’ Sacrifice

It’s important to gently explain why Jesus suffered.

In simple words:

“Jesus took our sins upon Himself. He suffered so we could be forgiven. He died so we could have eternal life.”

The Cross is not just about suffering — it is about love.

When children understand that Jesus chose the Cross out of love, it changes how they see their own small sacrifices:

• Giving something up
• Being patient with siblings
• Offering up discomfort

They begin to see that love sometimes costs something.

And they begin to walk with Him.

A Beautiful Reminder of His Love

As you teach your children about Jesus’ suffering and love, visual reminders matter.

The Jesus with the Crown of Thorns Umbrella portrays Christ crowned with thorns — a powerful image of His sacrifice and a striking reminder of the depth of His love for us. Printed alongside the image are the sacred words, “By Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world,” the very response we pray during the Stations of the Cross.

Each time you see it, it calls to mind the journey to Calvary and the love poured out for us there.

And because Lent is not only a time to reflect but also a time to give generously, this umbrella also makes a meaningful and thoughtful gift for your pastor during the Lenten or Easter season. Our priests faithfully walk with us through the Stations, preach about Christ’s Passion, and guide us toward the joy of the Resurrection. Offering a gift that reflects the sacrifice and love of Jesus is a beautiful way to thank them for shepherding us so faithfully.

Walking the Way of the Cross Together

Whether you attend at your parish church on Friday evenings or gather in your living room, what matters most is this:

You are walking with Jesus.

You are teaching your children.

You are strengthening their Catholic faith.

You are showing them how to pray.

You are helping them understand the Cross.

This Lent, make Fridays sacred.

Make space.

Light a candle.

Hold Jesus close.

And together say:

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

Let this be the Lent your family learns to truly walk with Him. One Friday at a time.