Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press. He has over 25 years of experience in pastoral ministry and is the author of numerous books. He is also the father of two grown children. Joe shares why he enjoys The Story of the Cross. Watch the video here or click on the image below. 

 

 

 

Holy Week is an opportunity for families to come together around the story of Jesus’ suffering, death, and Resurrection. I find The Story of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross for Children to be a wonderful introduction for young children to the delicate subject of Jesus’ death on the Cross.

As a child, I remember being frightened by the life-size and very graphic statue of the crucified Jesus in the rear corner of my Church. Let’s face it: the topic of death is not something that parents are eager to expose their children to, and yet the story of Jesus is centered around his selfless suffering and death. The Story of the Cross enables parents to introduce their children to the events of Holy Week in an age-appropriate manner. The book begins by inviting children to first meet Jesus through the joyful story of his birth and then briefly describes his teaching and his invitation to love God and neighbor. It goes on to explain that some people did not like Jesus’ teaching and began to plot to have him put to death.

From this point on, The Story of the Cross becomes a reflection on each of the traditional Stations of the Cross while still retaining its storybook form. The illustrations creatively include children looking on with sad expressions on their faces, enabling parents to help their own children to deal with the emotion of this powerful story. Each station also includes a very short and simple prayer that parents and children can pray together. Beginning with the tenth station (Jesus is stripped of his garments), the illustrations offer a perspective of Calvary from a distance so as not to frighten children with graphic images of Jesus’ suffering. Instead, the focus is on the people sadly witnessing Jesus’ death. A fifteenth station is included, focusing on the joy of Jesus’ Resurrection. The concludes by describing how the Risen Christ appeared to his followers, “bringing life and love that will never end.”

I highly recommend The Story of the Cross for parents of young children as we enter into this holiest time of the year as Christians.