Every Lent, Lower and Middle School Campus Minister Meg Russell invites Lower School students to journey through the story of Jesus' final hours in a Stations of the Cross activity, offering them a formative experience. This centuries-old tradition grounds them in Christ’s suffering and love, which are at the heart of the Catholic faith, and plants seeds of hope and empathy that align with the mission of Sacred Heart education.

A Tradition of Prayer and Reflection

The Stations of the Cross is a prayerful meditation on the 14 moments, or “stations,” marking Jesus’ path to crucifixion. Rooted in the Christian practice of walking “the way of the cross,” this devotion originated with Mary, who, as tradition holds, retraced the steps of her son’s final journey. At Stone Ridge, this practice has been adapted to make it meaningful for students while honoring its deep spiritual significance.

“The Stations of the Cross are a chance for our students to encounter the story of Jesus' suffering and reflect on its meaning for their own lives,” Mrs. Russell explains.“It’s about understanding His love for humanity, even in the midst of great pain, and how that love translates into hope and salvation.”

The activity is designed to be an intimate and age-appropriate experience. “We go out to the grove as a class to walk as Jesus walked and learn about what He went through as He walked to his death. At each station, students look at an illustration of that event depicted and hear about what happened at that moment in Jesus’ journey to the cross,” says Lower School Grade Three Teacher Maura Murphy ’15. At each station, they receive a small token—a tangible reminder of the story they can take home to recount to their families.

Cultivating Empathy and Hope

For young children, this activity is a powerful tool for cultivating empathy. “Students engage with the story, often hearing it for the first time. Their emotions—surprise, sorrow, and reverence—are profound. This connection fosters a deeper understanding of the sacrifices Jesus made and how those sacrifices connect to the hope we hold as Christians,” says Mrs. Russell

Students who have engaged with the Stations of the Cross in prior years share connections to the stories they hear about Jesus. “They talk about what the tokens they received in previous years look like, and even share where they have kept the tokens since the last year,” says Ms. Murphy ’15. “This story is not easy to hear, and it can be cold outside while we walk through the stations, but the students listen with empathy and understanding. They ask insightful questions, and they share extra information that they know to add to the story,” she notes.

A Uniquely Lower School Experience

What makes the Stations of the Cross particularly meaningful for Lower School students is the intention behind the experience. The focus on hope is central as it points to the promise of the resurrection. “We are an Easter people. While we don’t discuss the resurrection during the stations, we emphasize the promise of salvation and the hope that is always on the horizon,” says Mrs. Russell. 

“It’s about understanding His love for humanity, even in the midst of great pain, and how that love translates into hope and salvation.”

- Meg Russell, Lower & Middle School Campus Minister

This intentional focus ensures that students leave the experience with joy and renewal. The 14th station—the burial of Jesus—serves as a reminder that the story is not over. Here, Mrs. Russell invites students to reflect on the hope that lies ahead, even in moments of darkness.

Mrs. Russell recounts a student exclaiming after the activity, “This is my favorite thing. I feel big things, and I think Jesus did too.” The combination of prayer, movement, and quiet reflection creates a pathway for even the youngest students to connect with the story in a profound way.

Sacred Heart Goals in Action

The Stations of the Cross exemplify Sacred Heart Goal I, to educate to a personal and active faith in God, and Goal IV, the building of community as a Christian value. Students evolve their understanding of their faith and learn to share it with others. The collaborative nature of moving together, praying as a group, and creating space for reverence strengthens the bonds of community.

Moreover, the practice encourages students to develop empathy and respect for others, aligning with Goal II, a deep respect for intellectual values. “Through this experience, students learn to step into another’s story, to feel and understand the depth of love and sacrifice,” Mrs. Russell says.

While the Stations of the Cross is a once-a-year tradition, its impact grows far beyond Lent as students take home lessons of hope and compassion. “We are planting seeds,” Mrs. Russell notes. “Whether or not they realize it now, this experience is shaping their understanding of faith and the world.”

In these quiet moments of prayer and contemplation, Stone Ridge’s Lower School students are learning to walk the Way of the Cross and to carry its hope into their lives and communities.