In the Catholic liturgical calendar, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday continues for 40 days up through Holy Week, the Easter Triduum and Easter. Catholic Christians try to imitate Jesus with prayer, fasting or sacrifice and almsgiving (charity). A Catholic prays the rosary and Stations of the Cross on Friday (and as often as possible). Here are free printable Stations of the Cross coloring pages to guide Lenten devotions.
Each year during the Lenten when our family was
homeschooling, the children drew images, one for each of the Station of the
Cross. We used these images to guide Lenten devotions and prayer. We created
Stations of the Cross in our home and yard, placing the images in order along a
path. One year we hung them in the hallway. This way we had our own Via
Dolorosa (Way of the Cross, or Way of Sorrows). The children would begin each
Friday in Lent praying the Stations of the Cross. Older children can draw
Stations of the Cross coloring books for younger children to color. Or you can
use free printable Stations of the Cross coloring pages. A favorite source was
the Fr. Lovasik coloring books series. Here are free printable Stations of the
Cross coloring books. Print a booklet for CCD, VBS, religious education
classes, Catholic school, homeschooling and family devotions.
Catholic Kid offers free printable Stations of the Cross coloring books and prayer devotional guide. This is a fifteen page booklet covering each of the 14 Stations of the Cross. The liturgical prayer used at station is printed on the front cover and is repeated at each station. Children may color all the pages in their coloring books at once, or you may use Stations of the Cross coloring books as daily Lenten calendar countdown to Easter activities. Children might color one page each day for Lenten devotions. Here are other free printable Stations of the Cross activities from Catholic Playground.
Web Archive has free printable Stations of the Cross coloring pages drawn like Victorian church stained glass. These
images are quite small, but could be printed for a flip book or enlarged and
printed as quarter or half page coloring pages. Traditionalists will love the
neo-classical black and white artwork. St. John the Baptist Religious Ed has
loads more free
printable Catholic coloring pages for the mysteries of the rosary (Joyful,
Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries), Easter, Lenten, Bible and other
Catholic themed coloring pages).
Extend Stations of the Cross
Lenten devotions and activities by assigning children to compose a prayer or
response for each station. Preschool through first grade children might write
one word or phrase to represent each station. Grades 1-2 might compose a one
sentence prayer. For grades 3-5 assign one or two paragraph Lenten devotions and
prayers. This makes good type 1 writing activities. Adjust the length of the
prayer to suit the needs and abilities of the child. Some may wish to write
their prayer as a poem, song or haiku. Don't make prayer or writing seem like
chores or children will dread doing them.
Special needs children might draw
or act out each of the stations of the cross. Children could compose sign
language or dance in response to the each Station of the Cross. The objective
of this activity is to encourage children to respond to Our Lord's passion,
death and resurrection. Encourage children to respond in whatever form they
feel most comfortable with.
