Holy Week Celebration

The Stations of the Cross take us on a journey with Jesus as he gives up his life for us. We experience with Jesus his suffering, death, and Resurrection. The Way of the Cross involves movement from one to another of fourteen stops, or stations, representing significant moments in Jesus' Passion and death. Some people add a fifteenth station, the Resurrection, to emphasize the fullness of the Paschal Mystery.

See Liturgical Calendar–Seasons–Holy Week for additional background information and prayer.



"Jesus and the Cross" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Walking with Jesus on the day he died.
Materials		Prayer table, Bible, twigs and twine, music
Music		"Eat This Bread," Blest Are We Music CD 2; "Jesus Remember Me," Jacques Berthier (Taizé) (GIA Publications); Jesus, You Love Us," Christopher Walker (OCP)
Reading		Luke 23:46
Preparation		Make twig crosses for each child by connecting two twigs tied with twine or string. (This could be a group project.) Paper crosses could be used as a substitute. Children will not need copies of the liturgy. You can write the response "Thank you, Jesus," on the chalkboard, or have the children repeat it after you. Prepare your role as leader. Note that this liturgy serves as an introduction to the Stations of the Cross.
Adaptation		Take the children to church to experience the complete Stations of the Cross.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see: Prayer Celebrations, Primary Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30567-1 / 9780382305672 Blest Are We Music CD 2 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36653-0 / 9780382366536 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8 Words and melody for children; contains music for grades 1-8. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 / 9780382366178 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8 Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 / 9780382366185