The Stations of the Cross Board

‘The Stations of The Cross Boards’ make a new and interesting way in which to introduce this devotion to children during Lent. It consists of two separate boards on their own easels which stand 4ft 6in high by 2ft wide each.

On one board hung on pegs are fourteen picture stations and below these are an explanation of each station and a prayer i.e. An Our Father , Hail Mary or Glory Be. On the other board is painted a colourful scenic route which depicts the journey Jesus made to Calvary. The picture stations blend into the scenic route like a giant jigsaw.

The colourful boards and pictures capture the imagination of children and they like to follow the path Jesus took by moving the pictures from their reference explanation to the correct number position over onto the scenic route board.

To use The Stations Boards each child from a group has a turn of reading out the reference underneath a station starting with the first station, after which the child unhooks the picture and then fixes it across onto the correct number position in the scenic route board. The prayer which is written underneath the reference i.e. Our Father, Hail Mary or Glory Be is then said by the whole group. Each time a station is completed it is discussed by everyone and given a further explanation by the teacher if necessary.

Children are more interested in this devotion when they can use the boards. It is a good way for them to participate in some form of prayer during Lent.

The boards can also be used by the children in a convenient corner in the church.

These are just rough guide lines on how to use the boards. They should be adapted to the needs of the group participating.