Living Stations of the Cross

Last night, the 8th grade religious education students offered a Living Stations of the Cross in the Church. The DRE, Arlene Astrowski, did such a wonderful job of working with these kids with very limited time to gather them to rehearse. It was simply done and with adolescent reverence (meaning that there were smirks and uncomfortable fidgeting that comes with teens doing something that serious in front of their friends).

Before I took my class to the Church for the experience, one of my students asked, “Are we going to see that play today?” I explained that the Living Stations are not a play…not a performance…and we are not spectators. I told the class that it is a prayer that we participate in. I think that helped them to behave a little bit better. The fact is, kids are so used to being passive spectators and being entertained that it is difficult to break them of that mind set when they go to Church for any kind of prayer or liturgy. We need to remind them of their role as the assembly.

P.S. Check out this online version of the Stations of the Cross

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

15 Comments

  1. We have been practicing for a living staions of the Cross with both our high schoolers and middle school kids participating. Due to inclement weather on the scheduled day, this now will take place on Good Friday afternoon (our main liturgy is at night). I love this version our Youth Minister has chosen. Portions of contemporary songs (the kids know) with a message, are played while the kids are moving, or at a time where they freeze in position. It’s very prayerful and meaningful, especially to the young people.

  2. Joe or Lauretta, could you say a little more about how you script and “stage” the Living Stations of the Cross? Do you use the version you linked us to from Creighton? I assume you assign students a part and they act it out moving through each Station. Where do the assembled students stand/kneel or do you act it out from a stationary position?

  3. Regina, I don’t know what “script” was used for the Living Stations…that was all done by our DRE. It is not related to the Creighton link…that was just to provide a resource for folks. Basically there are narrators reading reflections that alternate between Jesus’ voice and the voice of a teen as a group of teens “poses” for each scene. I’ll ask the DRE if she has a resource she can share.

  4. Hi, I just noticed this post Regina!
    I will find out from our Youth Minister which version she used. I do know that the kids moved about the church, there were spot lights and popular songs. The Youth Minister and Father offered the reflections and prayers. It was quite moving!! Some were in tears. I was very proud of these young people!

  5. Great info on your blog. I was looking for a Stations to use for our 9th grade confirmation class, The idea of using contemporary songs really sounds like what we need to grab and hold their attention. Can you tell me what songs you used? Thanks, Dennis

  6. I too would love to know the songs you used. we are getting ready for our 8th grade living stations. would you be willing to share your script and music?

  7. I’m building a picture of Jesus most sorrowful and would like to get ahold of the stations of the cross in a two inch by two inch size, prefer color, if anyone can help would be appreciated.
    Felix Chavez

  8. Your link to the online version of the Stations of the Cross is broken. I came to your site via google and was looking for a good video station of the cross which is suitable for children. Any good ideas?

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