Book Reviews and More: Praying the Stations with Catechists

Praying the Stations with Catechists

Gwen Costello

Twenty-Third Publications

ISBN 9781585957194

ISBN 1585957194

Praying the Stations with Catechists - Gwen Costello

Prior to Lent in 2026 I went through the collection of Stations I had and found I had about 10 I have never read or reviewed and have made the commitment to try and make it through them this Lent, and I added 2 as I have been reading, praying, and reviewing my way through the collection. Of the 10 I started with 6 were from Twenty-Third Publications, and while researching the first review I found a few others I am interested in.

This is the fifth of the Stations of the Cross I have read from Twenty-Third Publications in this series, I have read a few not part of this series from them as well. I really loved Praying the Stations Mary’s Way of the Cross, by Richard G. Furey CSsR and picked up several others in this series. But I was fairly disappointed in Praying the Stations with Saint John XXIII by Bill Huebsch; so had sort of ignored them the past few years. This year I will try and get through the 6 I have and then see about tracking down some others that piqued my interest. It appears versions of this devotion in this series have come in and out of print for years. I believe I have found 20 titles in this series, some out of print long enough I cannot find good cover images.

This version of this devotion has been through a number of editions, I believed first published in 2008. Though it is not currently available on the Twenty-Third Publications site.

The introduction to this volume states:

“Introduction

Dear Catechists,

When Jesus issues the invitation “Come follow me,” he is speaking to real people like you. He invites you to follow him with heart, mind, body, and spirit—as a Christian disciple but also as a catechist. And just as Jesus felt joy, sadness, compassion, pain, and frustration in his ministry, so will you in your teaching ministry.

When you pray the Stations, you have the unique opportunity of uniting yourself to Jesus, reflecting on his life, teachings, death, and resurrection—and relating these to your own life.

Through the Stations you also have the opportunity to witness the tremendous compassion Jesus showed others: Pilate, who judged him falsely; the soldiers who were abusive; Simon, his reluctant helper; and the bystanders who jeered as he was crucified.

Jesus teaches that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for others. He teaches too that though your ministry may sometimes be difficult, “resurrection” will follow. This is what gives meaning to your donation of time, talent, and teaching. Though you will sometimes sow the seeds of learning in sorrow, you will also sometimes reap the harvest with joy. Why should you believe this? Because you are a disciple and Jesus is always with you to guide you.

“Remember, I am with you always, until the end of time.”

Matthew 28:20

Go forward now in his footsteps.”

A sample Station for this edition:

“Third Station

Jesus Falls the First Time

Far too much was demanded of Jesus. He was sleepless and weary and had already been beaten by the soldiers. A crown of thorns was piercing his head. The weight of the wooden beams was too much. He fell to the ground in front of the crowd. Some probably even cheered this sign of weakness in one who had been so strong.

Personal Reflection

Sometimes I feel that too much is demanded of me as a catechist. I am supposed to know it all and do it all, and sometimes have to pay for supplies on my own, and so I falter—and occasionally fall. It’s difficult to remember that I am not alone, that I don’t have to rely on myself. Nevertheless my burden gets heavy, and I don’t always carry it well. But Jesus inspires me to carry on and do the best I can.

Silent Meditation

Spend a few minutes praying silently about the children in your class. Is there one that troubles you? Is there one who gives you joy? Write your thoughts here if you wish..

Jesus, My Savior…

The hardest thing for me as a catechist

is dealing with my own expectations.

As long as I think that it’s up to me

to produce a perfect lesson,

or to “make” the children remember from week to week,

I am going to fail, I am going to “fall.”

Help me remember you at these moments.

You were able to accept people as they were.

Help me to accept the children as they are

and to accept my own limitations.

Teach me how to teach as you did.

Amen.”

The volume ends with:

“The Resurrection

Being a catechist involves “dying” in many small ways so that others may live more fully. As Jesus did, I must wait, in a way entombed, for God’s grace to work in me. I believe that Jesus waits with me. He has shown me the way. I know that Jesus’ story did not end on Good Friday. He was raised up by God to new life, and he offers me too the promise of resurrection. I too am called to be an Easter person and “Alleluia” is my song.

Jesus, My Redeemer…

Until that day when I meet you

face to face,

may I be a faithful

and tireless catechist.

I hope when I see you,

you will embrace me and

greet me with these words,

“Well done, my good and faithful servant,

what you have done for my little ones,

you have done for me.”.”

Overall am impressed with the series, I relay enjoyed this fifth volume, and will give others in the series a try. This is a good stations of the cross. I have a few stations I return to again and again. I am always willing to give another version of this devotion a try. I wish the other in the series were available digitally. With my dual form of dyslexia I greatly prefer eBooks so I can change the font, font and page colour to make reading easier.

I will read and review the others from the series I have tracked down and try to find the reaming few of the other volumes in the ‘Praying The Stations Series’ from Twenty-Third Publications. I try and pray a stations each Friday throughout the year, and every day during Lent. I do not see myself returning to this one often, even if a digital edition because available. But I did benefit from praying through it and believe it would be great for Catechists or Catechists Class or training session.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! For all Stations of the Cross review click here.