Complete prayers · English
For Children Stations of the Cross
A gentle Way of the Cross written for children and families. Simple language, short meditations, and prayers that connect each station to a child's daily life. Perfect for ages 6-12 or for praying together as a family.
This reading edition is in English. The guided companion offers the available translations and narration. About the texts and sources.
Opening prayer
Dear Jesus, today we are going to walk with You on Your journey to the Cross. You loved us so much that You gave up Your life for us. Help us to be brave like You. Help us to be kind to everyone we meet. As we pray at each station, open our hearts so we can love the way You love. We are ready to begin. Amen.
1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought before a man named Pilate. People told lies about Jesus, saying He had done bad things. But Jesus had never done anything wrong. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, but he was afraid of the angry crowd. So he said Jesus must die. Jesus stayed quiet and brave, even when people were being unfair to Him.
Dear Jesus, help me to be honest with myself and with others. When someone is being treated unfairly, give me the courage to speak up. Help me never to tell lies that could hurt someone. I want to be brave and truthful, just like You.
Jesus stood before the judge, Brave and quiet, full of love. Help me, Lord, to speak the truth, Every day in all I do.
2. Jesus Carries His Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers gave Jesus a big, heavy cross made of wood. They told Him to carry it through the streets to a hill called Calvary. The cross was very heavy, and Jesus was already hurt and tired from being beaten. But Jesus picked up the cross and began to walk. He carried it because He loves us.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I have hard things to carry too: a difficult day at school, a fight with a friend, or feeling sad inside. Help me to remember that You understand hard times. When things feel too heavy, help me to keep going and to ask for help when I need it.
Jesus carried such a weight, All for love and not for hate. When my days are hard to bear, Jesus, help me know You care.
3. Jesus Falls the First Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus was so tired and hurt that He fell down under the weight of the cross. The heavy wood crashed on top of Him. The soldiers yelled at Him to get up. But Jesus did not give up. He got back on His feet and kept walking. He fell, but He got up again.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I fall too. I make mistakes. I say things I should not say, or I do things I know are wrong. Help me to always get back up and try again. When I fail a test, when I let someone down, or when I lose my temper, help me not to give up. I can always start over with Your help.
Jesus fell but rose once more, Love was what He struggled for. When I stumble, when I fall, Help me answer when You call.
4. Jesus Meets His Mother
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
As Jesus walked through the streets, He saw His mother Mary standing in the crowd. Mary was so sad to see her Son suffering. She could not stop what was happening, but she was there. She did not run away. Jesus and Mary looked at each other with so much love, even in the middle of all that pain.
Dear Jesus, thank You for my parents and the people who love me and take care of me. Sometimes I forget to show them how much I love them. Help me to be kind to my family. Help me to say "thank you" and "I love you" more often. And help me to be there for the people I love, even when things are hard.
Mary watched with tears and love, Praying to her God above. Help me love my family, Like they always care for me.
5. Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers saw that Jesus was too weak to carry the cross by Himself. They pulled a man named Simon out of the crowd and made him help. Simon did not plan to help Jesus that day. But when he saw how much Jesus was suffering, something changed in his heart. He lifted the cross and carried it alongside Jesus.
Dear Jesus, help me to be like Simon. When I see someone who needs help, even if it was not my plan, let me stop and help them. Teach me to carry someone else's burden: to help a friend with homework, to sit with someone who is lonely at lunch, or to do a chore for my family without being asked.
Simon helped to share the load, Walked with Jesus down the road. Let me help the ones I see, Who are struggling next to me.
6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
A brave woman named Veronica stepped out from the crowd. She could see that Jesus' face was covered in sweat, dust, and blood. She was not afraid of the soldiers. She took her cloth and gently wiped His face. It was a small act of kindness, but it meant everything to Jesus. And on her cloth, the image of His face was left behind.
Dear Jesus, help me to be like Veronica. Give me the courage to be kind, even when it is not easy or popular. Help me to notice when someone is hurting and to do something about it, even something small: a kind word, a gentle smile, or just being there. Every act of kindness matters to You.
Veronica was brave and kind, Left the fearful crowd behind. Let me see Your face today, In the people on my way.
7. Jesus Falls the Second Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus fell again. He was getting weaker with every step. The cross was so heavy, and the road was rough and steep. The crowd watched but most did nothing to help. Still, Jesus got back up. He did not quit. Even though He had fallen before, He found the strength to rise again, because His love for us was stronger than His pain.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I make the same mistakes over and over. I get frustrated and want to give up. Remind me that falling down does not make me a failure. What matters is getting back up. Give me the courage to change my bad habits and to keep trying, even when it feels impossible.
Falling twice upon the ground, Jesus heard a painful sound. When I fail and try once more, Jesus, that is what love's for.
8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
A group of women stood along the road, crying for Jesus. Even though He was suffering so much, Jesus stopped to talk to them. He told them not to cry for Him, but to take care of their children and one another. Even in His worst moment, Jesus thought about other people before Himself.
Dear Jesus, help me to be a good and loyal friend. When my friends are sad, help me to stop what I am doing and be with them. Help me to think about others and not just about myself. Teach me to share Your love with everyone around me, especially those who are having a hard time.
Jesus stopped to share His care, Even in His deep despair. Help me stop and see the need, Of a friend in word and deed.
9. Jesus Falls the Third Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus fell for the third time. He could barely move. The soldiers shouted at Him to get up, but they did not help Him. It seemed like Jesus could not go on. But He did. He got up one more time. Jesus never stopped loving us, not even for a second, and that love gave Him the strength to keep going.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I feel tired and sad, and I do not want to do the things I should do, like going to school, doing my chores, or being nice to my brother or sister. Please give me strength to keep going. And when I see someone else who is struggling, help me to reach out my hand and lift them up.
Three times down, three times He rose, Jesus faced His greatest woes. Give me strength to persevere, Knowing, Lord, that You are near.
10. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
When Jesus reached the top of the hill, the soldiers took away His clothes. This was meant to shame Him in front of everyone. But Jesus was not ashamed, because He knew His Father in heaven loved Him. Everything was taken from Jesus, even the clothes on His back. He had nothing left, and He gave it all for us.
Dear Jesus, help me to remember how much I have. I have clothes, food, a place to live, and people who love me. Many children around the world do not have these things. Help me to be grateful and not to complain. Teach me to share what I have with those who have less.
They took all He had away, Jesus gave it all that day. Help me share what I have got, And be thankful for my lot.
11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
The soldiers laid Jesus down on the cross. They drove nails through His hands and His feet. Then they lifted the cross up into the air. Jesus was in terrible pain. But even now, He did not say anything mean to the people who were hurting Him. Instead, He asked His Father to forgive them.
Dear Jesus, You forgave the people who hurt You, even while they were hurting You. That is so hard to do. Help me to forgive the people who are mean to me. Help me not to hold grudges or wish bad things for others. Fill my heart with Your love so there is no room for anger.
Nailed upon the wooden cross, Jesus bore the greatest loss. Teach me, Lord, to forgive, Every day that I shall live.
12. Jesus Dies on the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
After three hours on the cross, Jesus bowed His head and died. The sky grew dark and the earth shook. Some people in the crowd finally understood that Jesus truly was the Son of God. Jesus died because He loves every single person who has ever lived or ever will live. He died for you and for me.
Dear Jesus, You loved us so much that You died for us. Every time I see a cross, I will remember Your great love. Thank You for giving Your life for me. Help me to live my life as a gift for others. Let me be quiet now for a moment and tell You in my own heart how much I love You.
On the Cross You gave Your all, Answering the Father's call. Jesus, thank You for Your love, Sent to us from God above.
13. Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Two friends of Jesus, Joseph and Nicodemus, carefully took His body down from the cross. They placed Him in the arms of His mother Mary. Mary held her Son close to her heart and cried. It was the saddest moment of her life. But even in her sadness, Mary trusted God.
Dear Jesus, thank You for Mary, Your mother, who You also gave to us. When I am sad, help me to trust God the way Mary did. When someone I love is hurting, help me to be there for them, to hold them close, and to pray for them. Thank You for the people who love me and never leave my side.
Mary held Him, filled with grief, Still she trusted, still believed. When I'm sad, Lord, help me see, You are always close to me.
14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Jesus' friends wrapped His body in clean cloth and placed Him gently in a tomb carved out of rock. They rolled a heavy stone in front of the entrance. Everything seemed dark and sad and finished. But this is not the end of the story. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive, and He is with us right now.
Dear Jesus, even when things seem dark and sad, there is always hope, because You are alive. Thank You for coming into this world, for showing us how to live, and for dying on the Cross for our sins. I will try every day to follow You and to be kind, brave, and loving. Help me to never forget how much You love me. Amen.
In the tomb, He rests in peace, But His love will never cease. Jesus rose. He's here today. He will always light my way.
Closing prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us so much. Thank You for showing us how to be brave, kind, and forgiving. Help us to remember what we prayed today. When we see someone who is sad, help us to comfort them. When we see someone who is left out, help us to be their friend. When things are hard, help us to keep going and never give up. We love You, Jesus. Stay with us always. Amen.
How to pray the Stations · Scripture and history of each station