"Stations of the Cross" Box

The above photo is our family's "Stations of the Cross" box. Due to Casinodad's work schedules the past couple of years & having young children who have trouble sitting still for long periods of time, making it to our church's Stations of the Cross during Lent was difficult. I came across this idea somewhere online a few years ago & adapted it to our family. This box gave us the opportunity to participate in this wonderful prayerful devotion within our own home.

I took a plain box & covered the lid w/ red metallic wrapping paper & an prayer card of Christ carrying the Cross. Inside I placed all of the items needed for each station & two copies of The Way of the Cross for Children by Rev. John Harfmann, S.S. J. & Miss Deborah Holly. It's a great hands-on activity for the munchkins. We take turns reading about each station & pulling the individual items out of the box.

Stations 1-5
Station 1: Pilate Condemns Jesus: a red string because Jesus' hands were bound
Station 2: Jesus Carries His Cross: a cross made of popsicle sticks
Station 3: Jesus Falls the First Time: a bandage to remind us of how much Jesus was hurting when He fell
Station 4: Jesus Meets His Mother: A rosary to remind us of Our Blessed Mother, the pain she endured watching Her Son suffer, & that She remains close to Him even now, bringing our prayers, joys, & sorrows to Him
Station 5: Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross: a small piece of white felt w/ the letter "H" drawn on it, a reminder that we should always seek to help others

Stations 6-10
Station 6: Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face: a cloth w/ a drawing of Jesus' face on it, reminding us to reach out to others & see Jesus in all things
Station 7: Jesus Falls a Second Time: another bandage
Station 8: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem: a tissue to remind us that Jesus is always here to comfort us & wipe our tears away
Station 9: Jesus Falls for the Third Time: cutouts of the munchkins' hands which serve as a reminder for us to lend a helping hand to those who fall since we could not be there to lift Jesus up when He stumbled.
Station 10: Jesus is Stripped: a piece of purple felt representing Jesus' gaments (purple is the color of royalty & the liturgical color for repentance & preparation; Lent is a time to prepare for the joy of the resurrection)

Stations 11-15
(sorry for the rotated photo, not sure how that happened)
Station 11: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross: a nail
Station 12: Jesus Dies: a small crucifix or a picture of Christ on the cross
Station 13: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross: a picture of Michelangelo's Pieta or a picture of Mary holding Jesus
Station 14: Jesus is Buried: a stone to remind us of the sealed tomb that enclosed Jesus' body
Station 15: Christ Rises from the Dead: a picture of our Risen Lord - Victory over death!