Holy Week is here!
This week is jam-packed with important lessons for children and parents alike. Attending all of the Masses during this week is of course, an important way to learn about the Passion of Christ. But especially for children, it can be difficult to absorb everything. This morning at Mass, my 10-year-old son’s jaw dropped when he saw how long the Gospel reading was!
They only shouted louder, Crucify Him!
Mark 15:14
It’s easy to remember the part when we all shout “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” But the rest of the details? Does someone cut off someone else’s ear? Who is Pilate? Does he want to crucify Jesus? Why did anyone want to crucify Jesus in the first place? Watching a movie (or more – why stop at one?) can help children learn and better understand the details of this week. Here I’ll discuss 3 that we’ve watched with our children, and 2 that are for the parents. After all, parents can benefit from some visual reminders about this most important week too.
This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase a product I have linked to, as an Amazon Associate I may earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the viewpoint I have expressed.
1. The Miracle Maker
I was first introduced to this movie during Lent of 2016 when I was looking for a movie that would show some of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary to my 3rd grade PSR class. My DRE suggested The Miracle Maker, which I had never seen. It turned out to be perfect! That year, I only showed the Last Supper through the Crucifixion, but I have since come to love the entire movie. It shows quite a bit of Jesus’ public ministry through Claymation, with cartoon flashbacks to the Nativity and The Finding in the Temple. Cartoons are also used to illustrate the parables.
This year is the 6th Holy Week that we’ve watched this as a family. If you’re looking for a movie that shows the Passion in a way that’s not too scary for young children, this is it.
How to watch it: Usually, we are able to watch this for free through a streaming service – search the services available to you. This year we found it on Pluto TV, but in previous years it has been available on Amazon Prime. Or, you can always purchase the DVD so that you’ll always have it on-hand.
When to watch it: Palm Sunday, or any day of Holy Week.
2. The Prince of Egypt
Wait a minute. Jesus isn’t even in this movie! Why is a movie based on Exodus on a list of things to watch during Holy Week? Well, this movie explains what the Passover is, and why it was so important. At Mass, we hear: “On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?'” Mark 14:12 Children will naturally be curious about this feast, and why we no longer celebrate it.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?
Mark 14:12
Interestingly, the actor who does the voice of Jesus in The Miracle Maker (Ralph Fiennes) also does the voice of Ramses in The Prince of Egypt.
How to watch it: It is currently available on Pluto TV and Peacock. Search the services available to you, as free status changes frequently! It is also available on Amazon.
When to watch it: Holy Thursday would be an excellent time to watch this. The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper occurred when Jesus and his disciples were eating the Passover meal. This movie will give you an opportunity to discuss how Jesus himself became the Passover lamb.
3. Brother Francis: The Stations of the Cross
This one isn’t exactly a movie, but I still recommend watching it during Holy Week! The Stations of the Cross help us journey with Jesus and meditate on what Good Friday is all about. For more information about The Stations of the Cross, see my post 3 Ways to Meditate on The Stations of the Cross at Home. Spoiler alert: one of them is by watching Brother Francis: Stations of the Cross! This is one of our favorite things to watch together as a family during Lent.
How to watch it: During Lent only, this is available on Formed. It is also available on 4. Jesus of Nazareth
Yes, that says 1977. And yes, this TV mini-series from the ’70s is 6 hours and 24 minutes long. It is rated for ages 7+, but…it’s 6 hours and 24 minutes long. Of course, you don’t have to watch it all at once! You could watch it without the kids throughout the week as time allows. It begins before the Annunciation, so you could also watch just the Passion toward the end of the movie during Holy Week, and come back to the beginning during Advent. Another option is to simply show certain scenes of the movie to your family. For example, in 2020 the churches were closed due to the pandemic, so we watched the entrance to Jerusalem together before watching Mass on YouTube on Palm Sunday. My kids waved homemade palms. How to watch it: We happen to have this series on VHS (and we do actually have a working VCR), but we still prefer to watch it on Amazon Prime. I’m sure hard copies are still available to purchase, but my search did not find any online. This one is rated R, and if you’ve seen it or heard much about it at all, you know it can be difficult to watch. But isn’t that the point? If you have 2 hours and 7 minutes to watch this when you know the kids won’t be around, it certainly captures the essence of Good Friday. It is difficult for me to stay up 2 hours after my kids go to bed, so we definitely don’t watch this every year. I’m not sure yet at what age I’ll feel comfortable showing this to my kids. For now I would rather they not see this brutal of a portrayal, especially of the scourging. (The Miracle Maker skips the scourging altogether.) I recommend that you watch it and decide for your own family what is best. How to watch it: This is currently available on Amazon Prime and through other streaming services. It is also available to purchase. More ideas for Holy Week:
When to watch it: When you have 6.5 hours to spare! Palm Sunday is a great choice, or any time during Holy Week. 5. The Passion of the Christ
When to watch it: Good Friday, after the kids have gone to bed.
3 Ways to Meditate on the Stations of the Cross at Home
