Every spring, Christians around the world recreate and reflect on Jesus Christ’s death by praying along with the Stations of the Cross.
On Fridays during Lent — the 40 days preceding Easter — Catholic churches like Lakewood’s Our Lady of Fatima host the Stations of the Cross, typically led by a priest or deacon.
However, on March 28, it was the children’s turn.
A group of about 20 young parishioners walked along the perimeter of the sanctuary, taking turns reading each station’s prayer for the Our Lady of Fatima congregation, as the group stopped at the corresponding piece of artwork. The 14 stations depict Jesus taking up his cross, meeting people on the way through Jerusalem, and then his death and burial.
Afterward, many attendees stopped by the parish hall for a meatless soup supper hosted by the local Knights of Columbus council.
Mazie Jackson, 14, said Lenten traditions like Stations of the Cross and meatless meals are a great way to “practice your faith” and “build community.”
In general, the season of Lent — which Catholics and some other Christian denominations observe — starts on Ash Wednesday and helps people spiritually prepare to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection at Easter.
Similarly, Tim Young of the parish’s Knights of Columbus described it as a season of “repentance and reflection.”
Jackson added, “It’s about cleansing our souls and preparing for Easter. (Lent) helps us refresh our faith.”
To that end, Our Lady of Fatima hosts a children’s Stations of the Cross one Friday each Lent.
This year’s group had participants as young as 5, although all the readers were between first and seventh grade, Director of Children’s Faith Formation Elisabeth Krick explained.
Some are students at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, while others are in the parish’s religious education program, Krick said.
The Rev. Henri Tshibambe, Our Lady of Fatima’s pastor, said it’s important for young parishioners to have opportunities to learn about the faith and lead others in it. He said they’re learning to do “what Jesus Christ did” by reflecting on his journey to the cross.
This is especially important as many of the participating children are preparing to receive sacraments later this year, he said.
Afterward in the parish hall, Young and other Knights of Columbus served a selection of vegetable- and seafood-based soups, along with grilled cheese. Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, although fish and other seafood is allowed.
Our Lady of Fatima’s soup suppers are free, although donations are welcome, Young said.
The parish was scheduled to host Stations of the Cross and soup supper on April 4 and April 11 but won’t on April 18 as it will be hosting Good Friday services.
Young also invited people to stop by the Knights of Columbus’ free pancake and burrito breakfast on April 13. It will have additional free breakfast events in May.
For more information, visit fatimalakewood.com.
Click through additional photos from the March 28 event:
Paizley Brown, 5, participates in Children’s Stations of the Cross March 28 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Children took turns reading each station, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s journey to his crucifixion. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Mazie Jackson, 14, carries the crucifix March 28 during the Children’s Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Jackson said the season of Lent, which is the 40 days preceding Easter, is a time of spiritual preparation and reflection. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On March 28, children lead Stations of the Cross at Lakewood’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church as part of a Lenten tradition. The church hosts Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent, typically led by a priest or deacon, but a group of children lead it once a year. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On March 28, children lead Stations of the Cross at Lakewood’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church as part of a Lenten tradition. Catholics and other Christians around the world are preparing for Easter on April 20. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
A members of the Knights of Columbus, at right, serves a vegetable-based soup during the March 28 soup supper at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Many of the soups were vegetable- or seafood-based as Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Members of the Knights of Columbus make grilled cheese sandwiches during the March 28 soup supper at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Because Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, the Knights of Columbus served vegetable- or seafood-based soups alongside the grilled cheese. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On March 28, children lead Stations of the Cross at Lakewood’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church as part of a Lenten tradition. The church hosts Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent, typically led by a priest or deacon, but a group of children lead it once a year. Credit: Corinne Westeman