Part of our role as mothers is answering approximately 5,000 questions per day. And we get really good at answering several questions from several children all at once.

We know what's for dinner and what time the game is and where the hockey sticks are and who first landed on the moon and when a vowel says its name.

But then our children hurl a complex theological question our way. (Often, right before bedtime.) These require more thought and explanation.

This is especially true when it comes to Jesus' Passion.

How to Explain Holy Week to Kids

During the upcoming season of Lent, our young children will likely inquire about Jesus' suffering or, as a three-year-old puts it:

"Why Jesus hurt?"

Here are a few things that can help you answer:

1. Always explain the Passion in light of the Resurrection.

The Paschal Mystery includes the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. We cannot separate these events from one another, for they all usher in our salvation.

Without the promise of Resurrection, Jesus' Passion is just cruel torture, which would weigh particularly heavy in the hearts of children.

When we talk about Jesus' suffering, we must always remind the children that He rose from the dead and lives glorified forever.

2. Tell the whole story of Holy Week.

Further, we must talk about Jesus' Passion in the light of all of Holy Week.

Children are used to the rhythm of stories: exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, and resolution.

Holy Week holds this rhythm, too.

By telling the full story of Holy Week, children's brains can better grasp that Jesus' suffering is not the end of the story, it is the climax of the greatest Story ever written, ending with a Resurrection resolution!

(If you'd like some help with this, we created this resource, which walks children through each moment of Holy Week!)

3. Connect their hurts to His.

Another way to simplify the explanation of Jesus' suffering in an age-appropriate way is to connect His hurts to theirs.

We can explain that Jesus wants to be with us and share in every moment of our lives. A three-year-old may find comfort in that, when they get a boo-boo or have their feelings hurt, Jesus is with them, understands their pain, and bears it with them.

Observing Holy Week with Children

This most sacred week of the Church year holds a lot of heavy themes. It can be difficult to know how much and how to share with our youngest ones, especially if they have a particularly sensitive heart. 

In my experience, my best conversations surrounding this happen when I ask the Holy Spirit to help me. He knows my children best and is always ready to give me the right words when I let Him lead. 

How have you explained Holy Week to your kids? What tips would you add to the list? Let us know below! 

Ready to dive deeper? 

Here are 4 ways to fill your nets... 

1. Memorize Bible verses with your children easily with our FREE guide: Stocking the Storehouses

 2. Make your dreams of family prayer a reality with The Daily Feast framework, making it possible in just a few minutes a day. This free guide shows you how.

 3. Want to steward your own prayer life? Check out this Scripture prayer journal we made just for you.

 4. Looking to level-up in your family faith formation? Join over 10,000 families that use our resources. We make open-and-go, family-style resources to make your role as primary catechist easy AND delightful. Click here to browse!