Good Friday is one of my favorite days of the year. It is a day of sorrow, yes, but it is also the day that promises joy - that is why we call it
good instead of sorrowful. I also really like the Stations of the Cross, which focus on the events of Good Friday.
During the season of Lent, many parishes come together weekly to reflect on the events of our Lord's Passion by praying the Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross) devotion. By traveling along the road to Calvary with our Blessed Mother in my heart, I came to realize 25 truths of life, motherhood and love from this powerful reflective prayer. Almost every reflection can be paired with a particular station, although they are listed in random order.
I hope you find these thoughts and reflections helpful to you in some small way.
25 Things I Learned from the Stations of the Cross
1. Always say 'thank you' when someone helps you.
2. Give of yourself even when it doesn't seem like the time or the place to do so.
3. Be willing to accept help from others.
4. Life is not fair, but God is just.
5. The cross that is carried in silence is the ultimate example of obedience and love.
6. Anyone can experience a set back.
7. God will never ask us to do anything that He, himself, has not done before us.
8. Keep trying.
9. We are more than our appearance.
10. Be willing to give everything you have in service to God.
11. Dying is a key part of eternal life.
12. God values obedience over service.
13. There is an unspeakable love between a mother and her child.
14. A Mother is called to support her child; there are some things that our children must do for themselves.
15. Mothers are made to be strong. How else could a mother witness the slow execution of her child, hold his lifeless body and then prepare it for burial.
16. Make sure you really understand what it is you are crying about or lamenting.
17. The time to help, is when you don't feel like helping.
18. God the Father doesn't show favoritism - He expects everyone to obey Him.
19. When we are weary, it is time to rest, or else we will suffer even more discomfort.
20. Anyone can be weary and weakened if they are denied food, sleep, and dignity.
21. Nothing can keep a good man down.
22. There is peace in death. Our Blessed Mother, Mary, was glad the torturing of her Son was over.
23. Eventually, every adversity comes to an end.
24. Words are not necessary to teach every lesson.
25. Love should be the driving force behind obedience.
If you would like to help your children discover or reflect on the Stations of the Cross or the Stabat Mater Dolorosa, feel free to download our
Stabat Mater Copywork Set. It incorporates handwriting, English as well as Latin translation of verse lines, and coloring for the 22 verses of one of the world's greatest hymns. This resource has been very well received by our children, and we hope yours will find it engaging and enjoyable too.
Blessings,
Kalei
The question of knowledge of Rites of the Catholic Church is a very interesting one posed by Shell of Thinking Love, No Twaddle blog. I must confess that I have much to learn in this department, and my guess is that many other Catholics do to. 
