2022-23 March #1: Lent/Stations of the Cross
“We adore you, oh Christ, and we praise You! Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world!”
Tiny Treasures
Page 1:
Lent
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Ash Wednesday is February 22nd, which begins our Lenten season. In the past people used to put ashes on themselves as a sign that they wanted to repent and be a better person. Lent is a season when we try to live the way God wants us to by praying and acting loving to other people. Lent lasts 40 days and ends on Holy Thursday. This time of preparation helps us to ready ourselves for the death and resurrection of Jesus. For our littles, we can explain to them that we have an opportunity to be like Jesus. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert praying and fasting and resisting the temptation of the devil. We can be like Jesus: fasting, praying, and trying to make good choices or resisting temptations to make bad choices.
Page 2:
The Stations of the Cross
Full list of the 14 Stations of the Cross
- Jesus is Condemned to Death
- Jesus Carries His Cross
- Jesus Falls for the First Time
- Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother
- Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
- Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
- Jesus Falls a Second Time
- Jesus Speaks to the Holy Women
- Jesus Falls the Third Time
- Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
- Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
- Jesus Dies on the Cross
- Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
- Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher
(source)
Page 3:
Want the link to the QR code for “Jesus Loves Me”?
Click HERE
Talk with your littles about:
- How much do you think Jesus loves us?
- Do you think it was hard for Him to die on the cross?
- Jesus died for us to save us? What does that mean?
- He died so that we can live in heaven with Him someday.
St. Veronica
There is no reference to Veronica or her veil in any of the four gospels, but according to Catholic tradition, St. Veronica was a first century woman from Jerusalem. Her name is derived from the Latin words, “vero icono”, which means “the true image”. There is no scriptural account, but tradition holds that Veronica encountered Jesus on His way to Calvary, saddened by the sight of Him, Veronica took her veil and wiped the blood and sweat from His face. In return for her gesture, Jesus left an imprint of His holy face on her cloth, which became known as the “Veil of Veronica”. Veronica’s veil, along with the fragment of the true cross and the spear that pierced Jesus’ side, is one of the most treasured relics still preserved in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The relic is displayed on the 5th Sunday of Lent each year. According to those who have seen the relic up close, there is minimal detail. St. Veronica is honored with a feast day on July 12th and her loving act is commemorated in the 6th station in the Stations of the Cross.
St. Veronica is the Patron Saint of Photographers and Laundry workers.
Homily from Pope Benedict XVI, March 24, 2005: “At first, Veronica saw only a buffeted and pain-filled face, yet her act of love impressed the true image of Jesus on her heart. On His human face, bloodied and bruised she saw the face of God and His goodness which accompanies us even in our deepest sorrows. Only with the heart can we see Jesus. Only love purifies us and gives us the ability to see. Only love enables us to recognize the God who is Love itself.”
(source)
Page 4:
God Loves Us So Much He Sent His Son Jesus to Save Us
Have your littles cut and paste the letters on the crucifix. Place the crucifix in the prayer corner at school or at home. This can be a great way to remind us that Jesus died for us in a personal way. Jesus dying for us truly does show how much He loves us! God is Love!
Social/Emotional Learning
Lent is a Time of Prayer, Penance and Fasting
Pick someone or a group to pray for this Lenten season:
- The Pope
- Religious and Priests
- School administration and teachers
- Grandparents
- Catholic Church
Think of a fast or penance your littles can make this Lenten season:
- Giving up color sheets
- Giving up markers or crayons
- Giving up your favorite cup or plate
- Putting away a few toys until the Lenten season is over.
Counting the Days of Lent!
Try making a 40 link-long paper chain of purple paper for Lent where your littles pull a link off each day. Cutting the strips of paper with lines a grown-up has drawn is good cutting practice and your littles will get the hang of linking the paper into a chain with tape.
Days to Watch for
- Feb 22 – Ash Wednesday
Extras
Our featured word for this booklet to indicate the page numbers is LENT. We chose this because we are in the season of Lent with this booklet.
Books, Toy + Reminder!
Catholic Mom Bundle:
If you purchased the Catholic Mom Bundle for Lent in 2022, don’t forget to look through those resources again to try something new or use a resource you liked last year!
Did you miss out last year? The Catholic Mom Bundle for Lent 2023 is able to be purchased now! Here’s the link!
Saintly Heart & Brother Francis Stations of the Cross Playset
Accompany Brother Francis as he prays and reflects on the Stations of the Cross and invite your children to learn about Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them. Recounting the steps of our Lord’s Passion as told by Sacred Scripture, this beautiful wooden set features animated characters from the popular Catholic children’s cartoon, Brother Francis, and will invite your children to pray throughout Lent in experiential and age-appropriate ways.
Stations of the Cross Story Book by Catholic Sprouts
The Stations of the Cross Story Book is a family-friendly version of the Stations of the cross that can be read as a story book or used for the formal Way of the Cross Devotion. Each station or page includes a family-friendly image of the Station of the Cross, a short description of the station, a powerful challenge and short prayer.
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell
This book tells the Easter story from a new and unusual point of view. Children will be deeply touched as they understand, perhaps for the first time, the significance of Christ’s life and his atoning sacrifice on the cross.
Petook: The Rooster Who Met Jesus by Tomie dePaola
Petook, a snowy white rooster whose home is in sight of Calvary’s hill, is awaiting a hatching and becomes strangely agitated when he sees men being lifted onto crosses there. He doesn’t know that one of the men being crucified is a boy who visited Petook’s family long ago. But three days later on Easter morning, as a new brood of chicks hatches that coincides with the Resurrection of the stranger, Petook is inspired to crow with great joy, celebrating the mystery of new life.
Light of the Saints by Cory Heimann
Light of the Saints is an interactive, light-based children’s book that tells the story of 12 saints from around the world, including St. Veronica! Shine a light behind the page to see hidden images of their miracles and heroic acts. When you shine your light behind St. Veronica’s cloth, it shows Jesus’ face!
Digital Resources
If you are a subscriber for the 2022-23 His Little Way booklets, visit our Subscribers page for access to your digital resources (including a digital version of all booklets)! Can’t remember your password? Email us!
Don’t forget to check out our Teacher’s Guide for more information on how to use your booklets in the classroom!
And in case you need it again… here’s our Prayer Table Starter Guide.
