"The Little Way" through Stations of the Cross

That Mrs. Amanda Davis is a creative, innovative teacher is an understatement.   Her religious education classrooms are alive with interactive lessons everyday at St. Therese Catholic School.   She keeps Kindergarten through Eighth Grade students engaged with “hands-on” activities and lessons during every class period.   Most emblematic of this are the “Living Stations of the Cross” celebrated and performed this past Lenten Season.  

Mrs. Davis painstakingly prepared all students to take on a different role in Jesus' journey from Pilate to Calvary every Friday (except Good Friday) during Lent.  She “set” the Shrine of Saint Therese gymnasium with each of the fourteen stations which allowed students and staff to “walk” the journey Jesus took to his crucifixion and to anticipate his subsequent resurrection.   She provided the acting participants with elaborate costumes which transported all who attended back in time to the Roman Empire of the Middle East.  Different students from Third to Eighth Grade were given different roles every week and asked to semi-memorize lines and actions that recounted Christ’s Passion.

 According to Father William Saunders as quoted from the EWTN website, “Since Lent is a penitential season of preparation for Easter, the Stations of the Cross have been a popular devotion in parishes. In the 16th century, this pathway was officially entitled the "Via Dolorosa" (Sorrowful Way) or simply Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross. “ 

Many of us older Catholics recall the Friday evenings of Lent being spent visually following our parish priest and a handful of altar boys as they walked from station to station culminating in an incense enhanced benediction.

Instead of having the students and staff follow the movements of a celebrant and altar servers from station to station, reciting from a worship aid, standing, kneeling, and repeating,  Mrs. Davis infused the spirit of the Lenten Season into the hearts of young and old alike through dramatic recreations with actions and lines performed and delivered by students who assumed the role of Jesus and those whom he encountered on the”Via Dolorosa”.   Mrs Davis even enlisted the aid of Mrs. Teresa Montera, the STCS music director, and fifth-grade student, Matthew Nelson, who played the electric piano and led short songs including “Were you there when they Crucified My Lord” and “My God, My God, Why have you Abandoned me”.  

Mr. Gerard Flores, principal of STCS, commented on the living stations stating that “we used to do them in the church, but our current method brings out the symbolism, and all the students get to participate”.

This sentiment was echoed by Eighth Grade student, John Nicoletta, “ the way we are now doing the stations really includes the younger students and allows them to connect better with what is going on - receive the message.  

Kindergarten student, Ziahh Pacheco said “I liked it because it’s about Jesus”,  when asked about the living Stations of the Cross at St. Therese Catholic School.  Her succinct comment highlighted the essence of the reenactment and the focus of the educational environment at St. Therese Catholic School.

So what was Mrs. Davis’ inspiration for incorporating such a means of addressing an essential aspect of our faith?  When questioned directly, Mrs. Davis responded, “after thinking about them (the stations), I determined that students learn more by doing and participating than just seeing”.

Mrs. Davis’ “Living Stations of the Cross” are just one of the exciting activities taking place in her religious education classrooms and at St. Therese Catholic School in general.  STCS really strives to incorporate traditional Roman Catholic religious values within a rigorous and innovative academic environment.   Come see for yourself by visiting St Therese Catholic School.

For more information about St. Therese Catholic School visit us at sttheresepueblo.org. or make an appointment to tour the school by calling  719-561-1121.

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