Thursday 25 April 2024

The Way of the Cross - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier - CTS Children’s Books

The Way of the Cross
CTS Children’s Books
Juliette Levivier
Anna Gravier (Illustrations)
Hardcover
ISBN 9781860823985
ISBN 186082398X
CTS Booklet CH4
Paperback 
ISBN 9781784695972
CTS Booklet CH70

The Way of the Cross - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier  - CTS Children’s Books Hardcover

As of the reading of this book over the last few years I have read over 385 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society. I stumbled upon them while doing research on an author, and have been hooked ever since. This is the fifteenth Stations or Way of the Cross from the CTS I have read. I try and pray a Stations each day during Lent, and each Friday the rest of the year. This is one I I know I will return to occasionally, I was there was an eBook to have on me at all times. This is one of only a Few books in the CTS Children's Books I have read, but I will be tracking down more.

The description of this book is:
 
“The Way of the Cross

A book to help children learn to meditate on the Passion of Jesus. Beautifully illustrated and in simple language, this book is a wonderful way of introducing children to the prayers of the church.

(Read with child aged 7; independent reading from age 8-9).”

Another description states:

“This beautiful book will help children to learn to meditate on the Passion of Jesus. With beautiful illustrations and colourful text, children will learn the meaning of the Way of the Cross in their own lives. It also tells the story of Holy Week and explains the Way of the Cross.

This beautiful book will help children to learn to meditate on the Passion of Jesus. In child-friendly language, it starts by telling the story of Holy Week, beginning with Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and ending with his Resurrection on Easter Sunday. It proceeds to explain the origins of the "way of the cross", what it means, how to pray it, and how that affects our relationship with Jesus.

The Stations of the Cross follow, with colourful text and beautiful illustrations that help children to meditate on each station. Each station includes a child-friendly prayer that helps children to understand the meaning of the Way of the Cross in their own lives. This book is a wonderful way of introducing children to not only Jesus' death and Resurrection, but to praying the Stations of the Cross at Lent and throughout the year.”

The sections in this book are:

Holy Week
Where the way of the Cross comes from
In the hope of the Resurrection
Jesus invites you to follow him
For you!
How to pray the way of the Cross

1st Station Jesus is condemned to death 
2nd Station Jesus carries his cross 
3rd Station Jesus falls for the first time 
4th Station Jesus meets his mother, Mary 
5th Station Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross 
6th Station Veronica wipes the face of Jesus 
7th Station Jesus falls the second time 
8th Station Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem 
9th Station Jesus falls for the third time 
10th Station Jesus is stripped of his clothes 
11th Station Jesus is nailed to the cross 1
2th Station Jesus dies on the cross 
13th Station Jesus is taken down from the Cross 
14th Station Jesus is laid in the tomb
15th Station Jesus rises from the dead

A sample station is:

“Jesus falls for the third time

I tell you most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.
John 12:24

Three times Peter denied Jesus. Three times Jesus gave Peter his blessing.
Three times Jesus falls under the weight of his cross.
Three times he stands up again.
His strength fails him, but not his will. What a lesson in courage he teaches us!
Out of love for us, he goes to the end of the journey.
Three days later, he rises from death.

In spite of all the times I fall, Lord, I know you always love me.
Thank you, Jesus, for lifting me up again and giving me the joy of your forgiveness through the sacrament of Reconciliation.”

I picked this up just to give a read and pray through it once. I picked up the hardback edition. I was surprised how much I loved praying this stations. CTS has both a hard back and softcover editions, and Magnificat has a North American edition as well. The illustrations are fun. The colours bright and vibrant. This is one of several books by Juliette available from the Catholic Truth Society, and there appears to be editions in French and maybe even Spanish of many of her children’s books. It looks like the French and English editions were published originally both in 2006.

We enjoyed it so much we donated the copy we tracked down to the School Library, the primary school our children have attended has a resource section for the teachers and we thought this would be a wonderful addition. I hope the sample station give you a feel for this volume. This is another excellent Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society. I am very thankful I picked it up and know it is one I will use often. A great resource I can easily recommend for church, home, school, or small group use. 



Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

For all other reviews of Stations of the Cross click here.

Books by Juliette Levivier:
Francis: the Poor Man of Assisi
Prayers Around the Crib
Praying at Mass
Praying with Mary
Praying with the First Christians
Praying with the Friends of Jesus
Praying with the Holy Spirit
The Rosary

The Way of the Cross - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier  - CTS Children’s Books Paperback

The Way of the Cross - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier  - CTS Children’s Books Hardcover

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