Two common liturgical traditions that churches of various denominations practice in Lent and Holy Week are “Stations of the Cross” and “Seven Last Words.” Both involve revisiting the story of Jesus’s final hours and execution. Stations of the Cross highlights a sequence of events from Jesus’s prayers in Gethsemane to his death and burial as portrayed in the gospel passion narratives and Christian tradition (depending on the version), while Seven Last Words features Jesus’s final utterances during his crucifixion as portrayed in the gospels.

These worship practices can be a powerful and formative part of Lent and Holy Week for Christians. Because they focus on the potentially triggering story of Jesus’s violent and unjust death, however, these practices also warrant careful treatment so that they may be life-giving to all people and to people of all ages.

If your community is interested in one or both of these practices, this article offers a compilation of 8 different resources for developing a Stations of the Cross or Seven Last Words liturgy in your context. The resources include free and purchasable materials, options for all ages, a Spanish and English bilingual liturgy, a way to take the practice into your neighborhood or environment, and a liturgy that centers LGBTQIA+ experiences.

Note: We have listed recommended age groups for each resource based upon the content as well as on the source recommendations. We use “congregational” to denote a resource intended for church-wide use that may not be as suitable or accessible for children or youth. We use “intergenerational” to denote a resource that can be used with children, youth, and adults. As always, we encourage you to exercise your own discretion and judgment as you discern what resources are most appropriate and fruitful for your community and context.

Stations of the Cross

1. “The Way of the Cross” and “A Scriptural Way of the Cross”

• Source: “The Book of Occasional Services” (Church Publishing, 2022; Episcopal Church)
• Age(s): adults, congregational
• Cost: free (digital PDF)

2. “The Way of the Cross / El Vía Crucis” Bilingual Liturgy

• Source: by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Seattle, WA, from “The Book of Occasional Services” (2003) and “Ritual para Ocasiones Especiales” (Church Publishing, 2003)
• Age(s): adults, congregational
• Cost: free

3. “Finding the Way of the Cross in Nature“

• Source: by Mia Kano (Building Faith, Mar. 10, 2021)
• Age(s): children, intergenerational | adults
• Cost: free

4. “Stations of the Cross Devotional Guide“

• Source: Illustrated Ministry (independent)
• Age(s): children, youth, young adults, intergenerational
• Cost: $9.99 for personal use; $34.99 – $69.99 for churches (sliding scale by church size); additional resources are also available for purchase

5. “Stations of the Cross: An LGBTQIA+ Lenten Journey“

• Source: Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation (2021; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
• Age(s): youth, adults
• Cost: free; printable PDF

6. “Stations of the Cross with Children“

• Source: by Emily J. García at A Good and Joyful Thing, adapted from “The Book of Occasional Services” (2022)
• Age(s): children, intergenerational
• Cost: free

Seven Last Words

1. “Seven Last Words Devotional Guide“

• Source: Illustrated Ministry (independent)
• Age(s): children, youth, young adults, intergenerational
• Cost: $9.99 for personal use; $34.99 – $69.99 for churches (sliding scale by church size); additional resources are also available for purchase

2. “Seven Last Words: An Immersive and Interactive Experience for Children and Youth“

• Source: by Patrick Kangrga (Building Faith, Jan. 3, 2022)
• Age(s): children, youth, intergenerational
• Cost: free

More Holy Week Resources

1. “Everything in Between: A Creative Liturgy for Holy Week“

• Source: by Avery Arden (A Sanctified Art, 2025; independent)
• Age(s): adults, congregational
• Cost: $12; additional Holy Week resources are also available for purchase

2. “Holy Week Digital Zine“

• Source: StoryMakers NYC (independent)
• Age(s): children, intergenerational
• Cost: $50

3. “A Meaningful Easter Egg Hunt“

• Source: prompts written by Tina Clark, illustrated by Jay Sidebotham (Episcopal Relief & Development, 2023; Episcopal Church)
• Age(s): children, intergenerational
• Cost: free

Featured image is by James on Unsplash