I’m busy with family things right now, so this is a quick post. Related note – here’s an idea for someone. Produce a short video introduction to Holy Week from a Catholic perspective for children that is not lame. That has quality animation, if it’s animated, is engaging and not amateurish.
Some images from the Loyola Kids Book of Catholic Signs and Symbols, Loyola Kids Book of Bible Stories and the Loyola Kids Book of Seasons, Feasts and Celebrations.
Signs & Symbols is arranged in thematic sections. Each entry has two facing pages: on the left, a (beautiful!) illustration and a short explanation, and then on the facing page (not shown), a longer, more in-depth treatment suitable for older kids.
There three entries for “Cross and Crucifix” (only one shown here) because they are found in three settings, and deserved (I thought) three distinct treatments: in the context of the life of Christ, in church, and in the home.
Link goes to the Loyola site, but the books are available at all online booksellers and hopefully in your local Catholic bookstore – if they don’t have it, please request it!
Here’s an Instagram Reel I made with these images.



And then the Loyola Kids Book of Bible Stories.
Remember, those stories are arranged in sections according to the liturgical season in which one would normally hear that particular Scripture narrative. So, these are in the “Lent” section. Each story is retold, and then at the end of each story, I link the Scripture to some aspect of Catholic faith or practice, and provide a thought question and a brief prayer. One of those pages can be seen in the gallery below.
Finally, the Loyola Kids Book of Seasons, Feasts and Celebrations. Organized in an obvious way! Here’s just one page from the Holy Week section.



Have you ever seen the Lenten series for children by the Augustine Institute? They are 3-4 minute animated stories about Lenten topics such as the Stations of the Cross, repentance, fasting. https://watch.formed.org/lent-with-brother-francis