Learn by Doing: Praying the Stations of the Cross with Your Family

Rachel Watkins recalls a family Stations of the Cross that bore unexpected long-term fruit. 

I once heard a priest laughingly comment that Holy Week, Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday, seems like more than one week, since the parish staff had been working on it for months and there is so much offered over the Triduum. I walked away mentally agreeing with him, as I knew my family’s Holy Week began earlier as well. In my house, outfits were pulled together, washed, and ironed if necessary. Shoes needed to be found. The Easter dinner needed to be planned, shopped, and prepped when possible, along with baskets to collect and fill. And, of course, I wanted to take part in as many of my church’s offerings as possible. 

There's More Than One Way to Pray the Stations of the Cross  

Stations of the Cross is a familiar and well-loved tradition for many families and mine was no different. There are several booklets out there, traditions that include praying the stations with St. Joseph or the familiar maroon-covered English Language Way of the Cross booklet by Barnett and Ronan. Meanwhile, many families have a copy of Rev. Lovasik, SVD’s children’s Station of the Cross, written in 1981.  

A favorite of mine was created by a group of unknown artists back in the mid-2000s. One year I was inspired to ask my children, then ages 3 to 16, to draw and illustrate our own set of Stations. They enthusiastically agreed, in part because it meant a break from schoolwork. 

The highlight of this project though came after the crayons, markers, and paper were cleared away. As with all artwork, the artists wanted to present their masterpieces — and before I knew it the most beautiful, impromptu Stations of the Cross began.   

We went around the table as each one talked about what they drew and what it meant. The Stations of the Cross began in their own words. In talking about Jesus falling the first time, one son related to falls he had had and how much those hurt. The wiping of Jesus’ face became a telling of getting a face washed and how sometimes it felt really good. Upon finishing, we hung each one on the fireplace where their stockings had hung at Christmas time.  

Doing Is Not the Same as Knowing 

I don’t know how my children felt about what transpired but I walked away changed. Hearing how they felt and what they knew (and didn’t know) about each of the stations was both fulfilling and important. Too often as Catholic parents we can neglect making sure children actually know the details of our familiar traditions and rites. We go to Mass regularly, but have we talked to them about it? Our critics are confused and criticize the standing, kneeling, and sitting of our Mass. Might our kids be confused as well?  

Do they only know what each of the mysteries of the Rosary are called and not the important details? The Visitation was Mary hurrying to visit her elderly, pregnant cousin Elizabeth after having just been visited by an angel! An angel. How cool is that? 

Letting Moments Inspired by God Change my Parenting

I made a resolution with God’s help that day. Over the next few weeks, depending on the child and their age, I asked about how they felt about a number of Catholic things. From asking how a younger one how they felt now having gone to Confession a few times to questions about the Church in the evening news with an older one. With another, a reminder of the why behind quiet reverence during Mass. Throughout these conversations, sometimes held at bedtime or during a driving lesson or quiet moment alone, I was often reassured about the job Matt and I were doing, but more importantly I sometimes discovered something that needed our attention.  

During those first family stations, I was grateful for all they could remember and happily filled in some details they couldn’t: Simeon, not Simon. This activity, which I thought was a one-off, became a yearly tradition. Best of all, my parenting changed. Checking in with my children about how they are feeling about Catholic things as well as the world as it relates to anything Catholic became a habit. Over time, most of my children have moved out but also over time, these conversations became more complicated than they were in the mid-2000s. Therefore, they are more important to have. 

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Copyright 2025 Rachel Watkins
Images: Canva