At each station
A grown-up says:
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
Everyone answers:
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Traditional, as in Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s Way of the Cross (1761).
For Lent and Good Friday
Stations of the Cross for kids
The Stations of the Cross are fourteen moments on Jesus’ way to the cross that we stop and pray at, especially on the Fridays of Lent. At each station, say the traditional prayer together, read the station, and stay quiet with Jesus for a moment.
- 1
Station 1
Jesus is condemned to death
Pilate decides to let Jesus die, even though Jesus did nothing wrong. Jesus stays calm and quiet. Help me stay kind when things are unfair.
- 2
Station 2
Jesus takes up his cross
Jesus carries the heavy cross because he loves us. Help me carry my hard things with love.
- 3
Station 3
Jesus falls the first time
The cross is so heavy that Jesus falls. He gets up again. When I fall or fail, help me get up and try again.
- 4
Station 4
Jesus meets his mother
Mary is there on the road. She loves her son and stays close to him. Mary, stay close to me too.
- 5
Station 5
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
A man named Simon helps Jesus carry the cross. Help me notice when someone needs a hand.
- 6
Station 6
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
A brave woman wipes Jesus’ tired face with a cloth. Help me be brave enough to be kind.
- 7
Station 7
Jesus falls the second time
Jesus falls again, and again he gets up. Help me never give up on being good.
- 8
Station 8
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Some women are crying for Jesus, and he speaks to them gently. Even when he is hurting, he cares about others.
- 9
Station 9
Jesus falls the third time
Jesus is very tired and falls once more. He keeps going for love of us. Thank you, Jesus.
- 10
Station 10
Jesus is stripped of his garments
The soldiers take away Jesus’ clothes. He gives up everything for us. Help me share what I have.
- 11
Station 11
Jesus is nailed to the cross
Jesus is put on the cross, and he forgives the people who hurt him. Help me forgive too.
- 12
Station 12
Jesus dies on the cross
Jesus gives his life for us, because he loves us more than anything. We stay quiet with him for a moment.
- 13
Station 13
Jesus is taken down from the cross
Jesus’ friends gently take him down and give him to Mary, who holds her son. Mary, comfort everyone who is sad.
- 14
Station 14
Jesus is laid in the tomb
Jesus is placed in a tomb, and a big stone closes it. But this is not the end: on the third day, he will rise!
The good news
This is not the end of the story. On the third day, Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead!
Questions about the Stations of the Cross
What are the Stations of the Cross?
A prayer that walks with Jesus on the way to the cross, stopping at fourteen moments called stations. Most Catholic churches have the stations on their walls, and many parishes pray them together on the Fridays of Lent.
Is it too sad for little children?
Told gently, it isn’t. Children understand that Jesus was brave, that people helped him, and that he did it out of love. Always end with the good news: on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead.
How long does it take?
About 10 to 15 minutes with children. Some families pray a few stations each day of Holy Week instead of all fourteen at once.
Praying on your own? The version for grown-ups is on Angelus, our prayer site for adults.