Early posting this so you can get ready…
a lovely Lenten Activity!
I am very grateful to Mary Ann Scheeler for sharing with us this wonderful activity for our children that she has created! Thank you, Mary!
Remember The Spiritual Christmas Crib for Advent? Well, this is the Lenten version!
From Mary:
So…get yourself a poster board….or more than one, depending on the size you are going to make the Way of the Cross. Some sharpie markers and crayons can be helpful…..and then draw the part that is applicable to the day as each day of Lent passes! OR use the clipart that Mary has provided here:
Spiritual Lenten Children 40 Day Journey Printables
Get your children to color them on the corresponding day, and voila! you can add them to your Lenten scene!
You can also print out (or write out) the special prayer for the day and put the assigned one up so everyone can say it throughout the day.
This activity is a wonderful opportunity to make Lent more meaningful for all!
You can print out the instructions here:
Spiritual Lenten Way of the Cross
A note from Mary Ann as you begin the activity:
This would be our first year, and everyone will draw/create theirs a little differently. The printables have almost three of everything, because I have three older kids who will be getting to have fun with it. If you have one child, you will only need one of everything and if you have more children you might need to print out more.
Some of the images like Jesus, or Mary, or Veronica, etc there is only one, because they are extra special.
The layout is something of the large mountain of Calvary, then there will be the long path, depending on how you draw it, could be steep, could be winding, or a little of both. The rest of the days are draw along the path wherever you want them.
You might start low and each day ascend a little higher, or you might just draw them wherever you think they fit. Some things like the crosses will probably be at the top. The very last day, the tomb, is separate, if you do the printables, and would be off to the side of mount Calvary. Hope this helps. 🙂
(Here is another help along the way…The Lenten Flip Cards available here.)
Here is the devotion:
1 – Ash Weds. The Mountain of Calvary
2 – Thurs. after Ash Weds. Path
3 – Fri. after Ash Weds. Pitfalls
4 – Sat. after Ash Weds. Bugs
1st Week of Lent:
5 – Mon. Dust and Ashes
6 – Tues. Bushes
7 – Weds. Boulders
8 – Thurs. Trees
9 – Fri. Pharisees/Crowd
10 – Sat. Water and Basin
2nd Week of Lent:
11 – Mon. 3 Crosses
12 – Tues. Skull and Bones
13 – Weds. Dark Clouds
14 – Thurs. Incense (myrrh)
15 – Fri. Simon of Cyrene
16 – Sat. Goats
3rd Week of Lent:
17 – Mon. St. Veronica and Veil
18 – Tues. Lambs
19 – Weds. Palms
20 – Thurs. Donkey
21 – Fri. Purple Robe
22 – Sat. Weeping Women of Jerusalem
4th Week of Lent:
23 – Mon. Rope
24 – Tues. Pillar
25 – Weds. Scourges
26 – Thurs. Thorns
27 – Fri. Board with Inscription (INRI)
28 – Sat. People passing by
5th Week of Lent:
29 – Mon. Sponge of Vinegar
30 – Tues. Nails
31 – Weds. Lance
32 – Thurs. Soldiers
33 – Fri. Sorrowful Mother
34 – Sat. Mary Magdalene
6th Week of Lent:
35 – Mon. St. John
36 – Tues. Two Thieves
37 – Weds. Silver Coins
38 – Thurs. Bread and Wine
39 – Fri. Jesus
40 – Sat. Tomb
Beginning of Lent:
1 – Ash Weds.
The Mount of Calvary
Our Dear Lord spends 40 days in the wilderness and even though the mountain is steep, we prepare our souls spiritually and bravely start on the path with Him.
Offer Him your sinful heart as the mountain you will overcome this Lent. Now is the time my love to show. O Jesus dear, thy grace bestow.
2 – Thurs. after Ash Weds.
Path
What path have I walked during my life? If I haven’t gone in the right direction, I will now follow you, dear Jesus, wherever You will go. Help me walk on the path to my true vocation.
May I so live that I will be ready, dear Lord, when you call for me.
3 – Fri. after Ash Weds.
Pitfalls
Carefully walk around the pitfalls of temptation. I will be generous with my brothers and sisters and avoid yelling or fighting over a silly excuse or toy.
Jesus, help me to keep temptations out of my heart.
4 – Sat. after Ash Weds.
Bugs
Watch out for the pesky bugs of distraction as we start the climb up the mountain. I will pay attention during prayers and during spiritual reading, but most especially at the Holy Mass.
Begone! I’ll say, when Satan bids me be lazy or sin. And since I fight for Heaven I shall win!
First Week of Lent:
5 – Mon. Dust and Ashes
I will shake off the dust of perceived injury and not listen to foolish feelings of pride and envy when I realize my life is so short, but Heaven is forever.
Angels, round me everywhere, please keep me in your loving care!
6 – Tues. Bushes
See the bushes growing as weeds? I will keep the garden of my heart clean by performing little acts of mortification, by bearing the cold or sitting and standing erect.
Dear Jesus, Who suffered so much for me, let me suffer for love of You.
7 – Weds. Boulders
When anger seizes my heart like giant boulders, I will remember how meek my Jesus was when He suffered for me. I will avoid harsh and mean words and be kind and gentle to all.
Jesus, help me to be meek and humble like You.
8 – Thurs. Trees
The trees stand so tall and yet one immediately obeyed and bowed its bark to become a humble cross for the King of Kings. I will give up my own will and obey my superiors cheerfully and promptly.
Jesus, I wish to be useful to you; like a steadfast tree, though small, but oh so true!
9 – Fri. Pharisees/Crowd
I will diligently remove from my heart every inordinate desire to be praised. I will help those in distress even if it means I will be laughed at or scorned; I will not join the mocking crowd.
Jesus, I was made for Thee; never let us parted be!
10 – Sat. Water and Basin
Have I gone to confession lately or do I pretend I am good? Dear Jesus, I will wash my sins in the water of my tears and happily do the penance the priest gives me.
Jesus, teach me to know and correct my greatest sins.
2nd Week of Lent
11 – Mon. 3 Crosses
I will renew my Lenten offerings to Our Lord and accept the small crosses He sends me through the day to comfort Him in His sorrowful Passion.
“Thy Will be Done,” I’ll quickly say, as soon as sorrow comes my way!
12 – Tues. Skull and Bones
One day we shall die, shall I be remembered for good deeds or bad? While I still have time, I will cheerfully obey the inspirations of my Guardian Angel and the guidance of my parents.
Jesus, immensely good to me, I want to live and die for Thee!
13 – Weds. Dark Clouds
When bad health and sickness makes me feel so ill and the days are dark and long, I will cling to Our Lady and ask her to bring my misery to Our Lord as a gift to ease the coldness of men’s hearts.
“Remember Me,” dear Jesus. I hope to be in Paradise some day with You.
14 – Thurs. Incense (myrrh)
Incense is a prayer before Your altar, Oh Lord, on the Cross. I will offer extra prayers, as incense, through the day for all those who are not in the state of grace but will die today.
May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
15 – Fri. Simon of Cyrene
I offer my strength to Your service as Simon of Cyrene; help me to use it in the service of others, especially those closest to me.
Jesus accept my service of love; I offer it for those who do not love You.
16 – Sat. Goats
Am I like the goats that kick and butt as I do not finish tasks, but whine and complain and waste my time? I will do the things I do not like without complaining, especially my homework or my chores, and make better use of my time.
Jesus, I need Thy holy grace; to help me every day and place.
3rd Week of Lent:
17 – Mon. St Veronica and Veil
Does my mother need help with the baby or does my sister need help with her homework or does my brother need help to put on his shoes? May I see in my family Your image, Dear Lord, and help them in whatever they need.
As older I grow, my heart must remain; Childlike and humble, if Heaven I’ll gain.
18 – Tues. Lambs
I will strive to be like a lamb, meek and patient. I will not murmur or talk behind my parents’ back when they give me a command.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours.
19 – Weds. Palms
I will be a peacemaker in my home and not start or join petty fights with my brothers and sisters.
O Jesus, give me for my part, a tender and forgiving heart!
20 – Thurs. Donkey
Do I stubbornly cling to a fault and try to excuse it? I will be grateful to God for the love He has shown me by dying for me and remember that my faults put Him on that cross.
Jesus, I need Thy grace all days, to free me from all my evil ways.
21 – Fri. Purple Robe
Many times, my things are scattered here and there and not put away, even when my parents asked me to do so. I will keep better care of my things, like my clothes, books or toys, and make sure to put them away when they should be. I will thank God for what I have and remember others may not have the nice things I do and not take it for granted.
Oh Jesus, I wish my life could be, a hymn of gratitude to thee!
22 – Sat. Weeping Women of Jerusalem
Today I will pray for all the children who have no parents to love them, and especially those children who died before they were born.
Little Innocents, pray to Jesus for me and my country!
4th Week of Lent:
23 – Mon. Rope
Are my companions good friends, who help me to love God more and obey His laws? Or do they tell me I should do things that are not good, like a little rope pulling me away from the Ten Commandments? I will take care to listen to good companions and be a good friend to them.
Jesus, teach me to love you above all things!
24 – Tues. Pillar
I will study my Catechism well so that I can explain my Faith to my brothers and sisters and to anyone who might ask about Our Lord and His Church.
O Thou art mine and I am Thine; Thy cross is both my proof and sign.
25 – Weds. Scourges
Do I forgive quickly and readily, or do I hold a grudge for a long time? I will learn from Jesus to forget and forgive all who hurt and injured me.
O Jesus, give me true contrition; This, today, is my one petition!
26 – Thurs. Thorns
Our Dear Lord is hurt daily by impure actions that drive the thorns deeper into His Head. I can practice modesty in my words, deeds, dress and actions to amend for my past bad actions and those of the world.
Dear Jesus, close my heart to all that hurts You!
27 – Fri. Board with Inscription (INRI)
When I hear Our Lord’s Holy name used in vain, do I join in or keep silent? If I hear His name used badly, I will immediately say a silent prayer in reparation for the insult after all He has done for me.
Dearest Mary, help me praise His name, forever and ever. Amen!
28 – Sat. People Passing By
So many people ignore Our Lord and reject His laws. Do I disregard Him, too, and disobey my parents, whom He put in charge of me? When my father or mother ask me to help, I will immediately do as they ask for love of God.
Jesus, obedient all Your life through, Oh, give me the grace to grow like You!
5th Week of Lent:
29 – Mon. Sponge of Vinegar
Lots of children have nothing to eat today, but I often waste my food or refuse to eat what my mother has prepared for me. At meal time, I will gratefully eat whatever is given me and even if it isn’t my favorite, I will offer it for those who have nothing.
O Jesus, loving from the first, for Thee my longing soul doth thirst!
30 – Tues. Nails
In my thoughts have I been jealous of another or thought something bad about them? I will not give into rash judgments about my family or my friends. Instead, I will think kindly of them and be happy for their good fortune.
My Jesus, I want to please You in all I do today.
31 – Weds. Lance
I will not pierce Our Lord with ingratitude; instead I will thank Him for all the gifts He has given me in my home and family and my Faith.
Oh, I wish my life to be a thanksgiving song, Singing to Jesus the whole day long!
32 – Thurs. Soldiers
I will be a soldier of Christ and learn from Him to silently and patiently bear refusals and disappointments.
Little self-denials win God’s grace and make my soul the leader of the race.
33 – Fri. Sorrowful Mother
It is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and we see Our Mother sharing the torments of Jesus, embracing Him, kissing Him, and adoring Him. Let us hasten to her with pure and loving hearts and under her lovely blue mantle let us hide for a moment of prayer.
O Mother of Sorrows, I grieve with thee, and beg forever thy child to be!
34 – Sat. Mary Magdalene
She was forgiven all her sins by Our Lord because she loved Him so much! I shall be like Mary Magdalene and offer my love to Jesus throughout the day.
Jesus you’ve done so much for me, I’m in your debt eternally.
6th Week of Lent:
35 – Mon. St. John
St. John comforted Our Lady in her great distress. Do I comfort others when they are sad or hurting? If I see someone hurting or sad, I will try to help them and comfort them when they are grieving.
O Jesus, make me very kind, so as to always fill my heart and mind!
36 – Tues. Two Thieves
Every day I choose between two destinies: heaven or hell. Are my habits good habits that help me choose Heaven? I will cultivate habits of being prompt and ready to go in the morning, doing my homework well, helping around the house and listening to my parents right away.
Oh, Jesus make me quick to see, that service which is dear to Thee!
37 – Weds. Silver Coins
For 30 pieces of silver Judas betrayed Jesus. Do I betray Jesus when I do not tell the truth or cause my brother or sister to get in trouble? I will not believe the devil any longer when he tempts me to lie because he will not bring me happiness.
Jesus, give me a loyal heart, where sin will not even have a small part.
38 – Thurs. Bread and Wine
I will offer Our Lord acts and prayers of perfect love for these precious anniversaries: The First Mass and for giving Himself in Holy Communion. Jesus, I thank you with all my heart for this gift of the Blessed Sacrament.
You knew I’d hunger, Lord, for Thee, So you found a way my Food to be.
39 – Fri. Jesus
What can I do today but kneel and watch You and to love You for giving Your very life for me – the price You paid to open heaven for me! I will kiss Your Sacred Feet, nailed to the Crucifix, as a sign that I will cling to You, and hold You, and never let You go.
I love You, Jesus, on that Tree; where you lovingly died for me.
40 – Sat. Tomb
We prepare with Our Lady for the happy moment when Our Lord shall return by going to confession. We have cast the “old man” of sin out and the “new man” will rise with Christ. We ask our angel to guard our soul as they guarded the tomb of Our Lord and we get ready to greet Him tomorrow.
Dear Jesus and Mary, I love you so! Oh be there to greet me when home, one day, I will go!
A couple of pictures of the Lenten Way of the Cross in progress from last year:
The Devil exults most when he can steal a man’s joy of spirit from him. He carries a powder with him to throw into any smallest possible chinks of our conscience, to soil the spotlessness of our mind and the purity of our life. But when spiritual joy fills our hearts, the Serpent pours out his deadly poison in vain. – St. Francis of Assisi
The two 30 day journals, 2 Ladies journals, & 2 maglets are so wonderfully made. The seller was able to put the 2 Ladies journals in book form instead of notebook form. The content was great and the material was high quality- glossy paper, I believe. It was perfect! The seller shipping was fast. Thank you so much!
My daughter is too young for a annual planner, but wants to be like mom. This was a perfect in between! Lovely illustrations and suggestions for young girls to ponder and reflect.
✨❤️
The Catholic Boy’s and Girl’s Traditional 30-Day Journals! Let’s keep our youth engaged in the Faith! Let’s teach them how to be organized, how to prioritize, how to keep on top of, first, the Spiritual things in their lives, and then the other daily duties that God requires of them… Available here.
Lenten Flip Cards available here.
Lenten Bundle Available here.
Printable for The Catholic Mother’s Traditional Lenten Journal! Available here.
Author Mary Reed Newland here draws on her own experiences as the mother of seven to show how the classic Christian principles of sanctity can be translated into terms easily applied to children even to the very young.
Because it’s rooted in experience, not in theory, nothing that Mrs. Newland suggests is impossible or extraordinary. In fact, as you reflect on your experiences with your own children, you’ll quickly agree that hers is an excellent commonsense approach to raising good Catholic children.
Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, the renowned author of The Hidden Power of Kindness, gives faithful Catholics all the essential ingredients of a stable and loving Catholic marriage and family — ingredients that are in danger of being lost in our turbulent age.
Using Scripture and Church teachings in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format, Fr. Lovasik helps you understand the proper role of the Catholic father and mother and the blessings of family. He shows you how you can secure happiness in marriage, develop the virtues necessary for a successful marriage, raise children in a truly Catholic way, and much more.
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Thank you for posting this and a blest day to you!
Such a wonderful Lenten activity idea! I will share with my kids to use with the grandkids. Thank you, and May God bless you!
PS-And I LOVE that Hummel picture of the 3 little ones praying before the image of Our Lady! The sisters skating is a great picture too, you always share the best things, I’ve saved all of them, I like referring back to them, and sharing them! Thank you for sharing with us!