Praying the Stations with Children - Gwen Costello

Praying the Stations with Children

Gwen Costello

Holly B. Bewlay (Illustrator)

Twenty-Third Publications

ISBN 9780896223530

ISBN 0896223531

Prior to Lent in 2026  I went through the collection of Stations I had and found I had about 10 I have never read or reviewed and have made the commitment to try and make it through them this Lent, and I added a few as I have been reading, praying, and reviewing my way through the collection. Of the 10 I started with 6 were from Twenty-Third Publications, and while researching the first review I found a few others I am interested in. This is one is one of the new ones I discovered and picked up.

This is the ninth of the Stations of the Cross I have read from Twenty-Third Publications in the ‘Praying the Stations with …’ series, and also other Stations from them. This one is specifically written for corporate use, either at kids church, in a parish for a children’s service, or at home. Originally published in 1997 with the first edition from Twenty-Third Publications being in 1988 and the one I tracked down was from a sixth printing in 2007. It is still listed on their site but I have no idea what the current printing is.

It is currently available on the Twenty-Third Publications site other retailers show it as available as well. I just wish there was a digital edition available.

The description of this volume online states:

“This delightful booklet is a perennial favorite because it involves children spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It invites them to ponder what happened to Jesus and how they can respond to these events in their own daily lives.” 

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction 

First Station Jesus is Condemned 

Second Station Jesus Carries His Cross 

Third Station Jesus Falls Under the Cross

Fourth Station Jesus Meets His Mother 

Fifth Station Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross 

Sixth Station Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus 

Seventh Station Jesus Falls the Second Time 

Eighth Station Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem 

Ninth Station Jesus Falls the Third Time 

Tenth Station Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothing

Eleventh Station Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross 

Twelfth Station Jesus Dies on The Cross 

Thirteenth Station Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross 

Fourteenth Station Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb 

Easter Prayer

A sample Station for this edition:

“Third Station 

Jesus Falls Under the Cross

Jesus was so weak that he could not stand the weight of the cross. He fell to the ground. Perhaps as he lay there, weak and in pain, he remembered the words of Job: “I have rubbed my face in the dust and it is red with tears....My breath grows weak and I can feel that the grave is waiting for me” (JOB 16:16; 17:1). But the soldiers had no compassion. They pulled Jesus up and pushed him forward.

Recite the following with one knee on the floor.

If we had been there, Jesus, we would have made sure you didn’t fall. We would have walked beside you and given you strong arms to lean on.

But we weren’t there. We are only here now, remembering.

Time to Think and Pray

Would I have wanted to touch Jesus and get blood and dirt on my clothes? What if someone had seen me like that?

Here and now, what do I do when my friends laugh at me for helping someone?

Jesus, teach me how to follow you.”

The introduction states:

“Dear Child, This stations of the cross booklet was written just for you. But maybe you're not sure how to use it. You may not even know what the stations of the cross are. Let me describe them.

The path that Jesus followed from the courtroom of Pontius Pilate to the place where he died, is in Jerusalem. There this path is known as the “Via Dolorosa,” or the Sorrowful Way. Certain spots where Jesus stopped along this route are marked, and these are called stations.

Over the centuries, many people traveled to Jerusalem to retrace and recall Jesus’ steps to Calvary, especially during Lent. But Jerusalem was too far for most people. So, in the Middle Ages, they began making this “journey” in churches, using painted or carved images of the 14 stops Jesus made. (Look around your parish church; you'll probably see the stations there.) At each station, people would think about what happened to Jesus and they would pray about it.

The first stations of the cross booklet was published long ago in 1505. Today there are many such booklets to help people think and pray about the “Sorrowful Way,” but most of these booklets are for adults. This one is for you. You can use it at home (because it has drawings of each station), and in class, and, of course, in your parish church.

It tells you what happened to Jesus at each of his stops, and it offers you a message to think and pray about. Most of all, this booklet will help you discover Jesus’ love for you and it will give you ways to follow Jesus, here and now, in your own life.

May you stay close to Jesus always.”

I really like the physical element in these stations. During each station we are instructed to take a knee, place our hand over our heart, on our shoulder, outstretched … It adds an interesting element. And one I am certain children will appreciate.

Overall am impressed with Stations I have tracked down from Twenty-Third Publications, both the currently in print and older titles that are out of print. I have benefitted from all of them. I wish that a digital edition was available. I know several people I would recommend it to. I have dyslexia and prefer eBooks, my son has eye tracking issues and our deacon has low vision. eBooks would be a better option for all three of us and many more.

I try to pray a Stations each Friday throughout the year, and every day during Lent. I do see myself returning to this one occasionally, but if a digital edition were available it would be one I used more often. I did benefit from praying through it and believe it would be great for use in school, Sunday school or a children’s liturgy.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!  For all Stations of the Cross review click here. 

Books in the Praying The Stations With Series:

A Way of Reconciliation for Teens - Colleen Rainone 

Praying the Stations for Healing - David M. Knight 

Praying the Stations of the Cross for Seniors -  John van Bemmel 

Stations of the Cross for Older Adults - John Van Bemmel  

Praying the Stations for the Suffering, Ill, and Disabled - Holly B. Clark 

Praying the Stations Mary’s Way of the Cross

    aka Praying the Stations With Mary the Mother of Jesus – Richard Furey 

Praying the Stations of Mercy with Pope Francis - Bill Huebsch 

Stations of the Cross for Today's Disciples - Sr. Christine Kreshko 

Praying the Stations with Catechists - Gwen Costello  

Praying the Stations with Children - Gwen Costello 

Praying the Stations with Faith and Courage - Richard Gribble 

Praying the Stations with John Paul II – Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Pope Francis - Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Saint John XXIII - Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Seniors – John Van Bemmel 

Praying the Stations with Teenagers - Gwen Costello 

Praying the Stations with Young Children - Diane Abajian 

Stations of the Cross for Today's Disciples - Christine Kresho 

The Mystery of the Cross: Praying the Stations with Pope Francis - David M. Knight 

Walking the Via Dolorosa Today - Laurin J. Wenig 

…

Other Stations from Twenty-Third Publications:

A Mother's Way of the Cross - Deborah McCann 

A Personal Way of the Cross - Isaias Powers 

An Illustrated Stations of the Cross - James Nisbet 

Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today - Father David M. Knight 

Stations of Strength Praying the Stations of the Cross in Times of Suffering - Alice Camille 

The People of the Way of the Cross - Marci Alborghetti 

The Stations of the Resurrection - Sister Catherine Duenne 

The Way of the Cross - William V Coleman 

The Way of the Cross for Parents - Susan Jones 

Via Lucis The Way of Light: Praying the Stations of the Resurrection - Glenn Byer

Walking with Jesus on the Way to Calvary - Kathy McGovern 

Way of Cross Religion Teachers - Gwen Costello 

...

Redline - Jude Hardin - The Reacher Experiment Book 6

Redline 

Jack Reacher Experiment Book 6

Jude Hardin

ISBN 9781717576811

ASIN B079YJ5YXR

First I want to state I did enjoy this book and look forward to the rest in the series and the other two Reacher Series Jude has penned. Second a few years ago I read my first Reacher novel. I had picked up one for my dad, and after giving the back a read, I grabbed the eBook for myself. In under a year I had read all the Reacher Novels in print and all the books in the Hunt for Jack Reacher by Diane Capri. Since then I have read 58 books in the Reacher universe and am expanding out to the three series by Jude Hardin now.

The description of this book and same as some of the others is:

“About The Jack Reacher Experiment series

Rock Wahlman: Forty-one years old, United States Navy Master at Arms, E-8, retired.

DOB 14 October 2057.

Grew up in an orphanage, recently discovered that he is the product of a human cloning experiment, an exact genetic duplicate of a former army officer named Jack Reacher.

Now someone wants all evidence of the experiment to be erased, which means that someone wants Wahlman to be erased.

He’s on the run, desperate to survive, desperate to learn the truth about why all this is happening…

Note: The use of the name Jack Reacher, along with the use of story situations and supporting characters from the Jack Reacher universe, authorized by Lee Child. While sometimes referenced in the context of the story, the Jack Reacher character remains offstage in Kill Shot: The Jack Reacher Experiment Book 4.”

This volume like some of the others begins with:

“Rock Wahlman: Forty-one years old, United States Navy Master at Arms, E-8, retired. DOB 14 October 2057. Grew up in an orphanage, recently discovered that he is the product of a human cloning experiment, an exact genetic duplicate of a former army officer named Jack Reacher. Now someone wants all evidence of the experiment to be erased, which means that someone wants Wahlman to be erased. He’s on the run, desperate to survive, desperate to learn the truth about why all this is happening…”

This story is listed as 101 pages, not the shortest in the series and not the longest; but around the average. It felt shorter though, and a lot of the story was back story to a specific base called ‘The Box’. This was a based on the page count this volume is more of a novella, the book in this series are available as 9 stand-alone stories or in 3 omnibus editions. I will continue to read and review the stand-alone editions because that is how I started the series. Back to the book at hand. I read this on the last day of my March break vacation. I took an extra day after the kids were back in school to have some quiet and read through this over a couple mugs of coffee. It was finished far too soon.

Even death can’t keep Reacher down, in a manner of speaking. Rock Wahlman is a clone of Reacher, but he was not the only one. In the first volume, on the night his life goes sideways, he tries and saves a man after his rig goes off the road and into water. The man he pulls from the water looks just like him. Having been raised in an orphanage this raises some questions. After an attempt on his life, he starts putting together the pieces. His life may have been different than Reacher’s but his determination when he is threatened is the same. 

Wahlman Is working to find info he needs to clear his name, and get his life back. He now has plans and hopes for a life. He wants a home a family, things he had never desired before. But before that can happen he needs evidence on the corrupt general that is trying to have him taken out. And now is he not only running from a rogue element in the Military, and the New Orleans’s Police.

Muck like his generic source material, trouble just seems to find Wahlman. And in this one it hits in again, but in a way that could really help him piece it all together. Can he find this secret base? Can he figure out what they are up to? Can he …? To find out, read this excellent novella!

This is another well written novella. That stays true to the original character and universe. It is a good read in a fun series. Even if this volume had not been set in the Reacher Universe I would have enjoyed it. The fact that it is only adds to the mystique that is Jack Reacher. It was good read and leaves you desperate for the next instalment in this series. This is a book and series I can easily recommend to fans of Reacher or anyone who loves a good action thriller.

Books by Jude Hardin:

Books in the Jack Reacher Experiment Series:

Dead Ringer

Moving Target

No Escape 

Kill Shot

357 Sunset

Redline

End Game

Ricochet

Gone

…

The Reacher Experiment Books 1-3 

The Reacher Experiment Books 4-6 

The Reacher Experiment Books 7-9

…

The Reacher Experiment: The Complete Series Books 1-9

…

The Reacher Code Series:

Timestream 1

Timestream 2

Timestream 3

…

Jack Reacher Files Series:

Fugative

Choke

Hostage

Velocity

The Girl from the Wrong Side of Cordial 

…

Nicholas Colt Series:

Pocket-47

Crosscut

Snuff Tag 9

Rattled

Colt

Key Death

Blood Tattoo

The Blood Notebooks

...

Nicholas Colt Crossover Books:

Racked (with J.A. Konrath)

Lady 52 (with J.A. Konrath)

Sycamore Bluff

...

Midnight Creek Series:

The Cold Gray Adiós

A Single Red Alibi

...

Stranded in the Old West:

Frifter

lawless

...

Pickin' & Grin Inn Mystery Series:

Dead Ain't Your Color 

Friends in Freshly Dug Places

...

iSEAL Series:

iSeal

iSEAL 2

...

Other Books:

Codename: Hollowpoint

   aka Fused

A Thin Ribbon of Smoke

   aka Witness

Rocked

   aka Cage Fight

Au Revoir from a Bridge to Nowhere 

Fire and Ice

Choke

The Blood Notebooks

...

Stations of Strength: Praying the Stations of the Cross in Times of Suffering - Alice Camille

Stations of Strength: 

Praying the Stations of the Cross in Times of Suffering

Alice Camille

Twenty-Third Publications

ISBN 9781627856751

ISBN 1627856757

Prior to Lent in 2026  I went through the collection of Stations I had and found I had about 10 I have never read or reviewed and have made the commitment to try and make it through them this Lent, and I added 2 as I have been reading, praying, and reviewing my way through the collection. Of the 10 I started with 6 were from Twenty-Third Publications, and while researching the first review I found a few others I am interested in. This is one is one of the new ones I discovered and picked up.

This is the eighth of the Stations of the Cross I have read from Twenty-Third Publications in the ‘Praying the Stations with …’ series, and also other titles like this one. This one is specifically written for corporate use, either a small group, parish or home.

It is not currently available on the Twenty-Third Publications site other retailers show it as unavailable, which is a pity it is an excellent version of this devotion.

The description of this volume online states:

““We walk the way of the cross, knowing that Jesus takes up our cross first. Don't be afraid. We're never alone on the way of suffering.” With these words, best-selling spiritual author, Alice Camille, invites us to reflect upon our own contemporary experiences as we walk with Christ to Calvary. This wholly fresh Stations of the Cross is a timely reminder that God is with us here and now and that love is stronger than suffering and even death. God’s love has no end!”

 

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction 

The First Station Jesus is Condemned to Die 

The Second Station Jesus Carries His Cross 

The Third Station Jesus Falls the First Time

The Fourth Station Jesus Meets His Mother 

The Fifth Station Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross 

The Sixth Station Veronica Wipes Jesus’ Face 

The Seventh Station Jesus Falls the Second Time 

The Eighth Station Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem 

The Ninth Station Jesus Falls the Third Time 

The Tenth Station Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes 

The Eleventh Station Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross 

The Twelfth Station Jesus Dies on The Cross 

The Thirteenth Station Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross 

The Fourteenth Station Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb 

Concluding Rite

A sample Station for this edition:

“The Third Station 

Jesus Falls the First Time

We’re not superheroes

Leader: The Third Station Jesus falls – the first time.

Weakness is a familiar and inescapable part of life that is given to us.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Jesus is the divine Son. But he’s also the son of Mary of Nazareth. A firl purpose drove him from his home by the sea and bore him into a world that needed him. And needs him still.

Ye now Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground. A long night of interrogation and beatings has brought him to the edge of his strength. Still he rises, as you and I rise: though time and time again, life brings us to our knees. We falter. And we rise, We lose. And we try again.

Superheroes and celebrities – whose stories are fed to us daily – seem impenetrable to defeat. We may experience our own fragility as a form of failure. Shouldn’t we be able to stand on our own feet and brave life’s storms? Our national myth of rugged individualism isn’t the same as our story of sacred union. God is with us. Who can be against us?

Reader: We contemplate God’s word together:

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakendness, or peril, or the sword? … No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. Romans 8:35,37

[Silent Prayer]

All: God of power and might, you alone are my rock and my strength. When I fall and fail, send me the grace and courage to continue on the path you open for me.”

Last year I read Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today by Father David M. Knight for the first time. It was not written for the Jubilee of Hope in 2025 but was remarketed for it and it was worth reading and praying through. This one has the same look and feel. Overall am impressed with Stations I have tracked down from Twenty-Third Publications, both the currently in print and older titles that are out of print. I have benefitted from all of them. I wish that a digital edition was available. I know several people I would recommend it to.

I try and pray a Stations each Friday throughout the year, and every day during Lent. I do see myself returning to this one occasionally, but if a digital edition because available it would be one I used more often. I did benefit from praying through it and believe it would be great for personal use or in a group setting.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!  For all Stations of the Cross review click here. 

Books in the Praying The Stations With Series:

A Way of Reconciliation for Teens - Colleen Rainone 

Praying the Stations for Healing - David M. Knight 

Praying the Stations of the Cross for Seniors -  John van Bemmel 

Stations of the Cross for Older Adults - John Van Bemmel  

Praying the Stations for the Suffering, Ill, and Disabled - Holly B. Clark 

Praying the Stations Mary’s Way of the Cross

    aka Praying the Stations With Mary the Mother of Jesus – Richard Furey 

Praying the Stations of Mercy with Pope Francis - Bill Huebsch 

Stations of the Cross for Today's Disciples - Sr. Christine Kreshko 

Praying the Stations with Catechists - Gwen Costello  

Praying the Stations with Children - Gwen Costello  

Praying the Stations with Faith and Courage - Richard Gribble 

Praying the Stations with John Paul II – Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Pope Francis - Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Saint John XXIII - Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Seniors – John Van Bemmel 

Praying the Stations with Teenagers - Gwen Costello 

Praying the Stations with Young Children - Diane Abajian 

Stations of the Cross for Today's Disciples - Christine Kresho 

The Mystery of the Cross: Praying the Stations with Pope Francis - David M. Knight 

Walking the Via Dolorosa Today - Laurin J. Wenig 

…

Other Stations from Twenty-Third Publications:

A Mother's Way of the Cross - Deborah McCann 

A Personal Way of the Cross - Isaias Powers 

An Illustrated Stations of the Cross - James Nisbet 

Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today - Father David M. Knight 

Stations of Strength Praying the Stations of the Cross in Times of Suffering - Alice Camille 

The People of the Way of the Cross - Marci Alborghetti 

The Stations of the Resurrection - Sister Catherine Duenne 

The Way of the Cross - William V Coleman 

The Way of the Cross for Parents - Susan Jones 

Via Lucis The Way of Light: Praying the Stations of the Resurrection - Glenn Byer

Walking with Jesus on the Way to Calvary - Kathy McGovern 

Way of Cross Religion Teachers - Gwen Costello 

...

Pogue Too - Edited by Liska McCabe - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 72

Pogue Too

Edited by Liska McCabe

Illustrated by Cedar Sanderson

Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 72

Raconteur Press 

ISBN 9798247887423

ASIN B0GN1F1ZCS

ASIN B0D6772W4X

I enjoy reading anthologies for many reasons. First, short form fiction is a very different art form than the novel. The writing needs to be tighter. The intent more purposeful, and the skill and craft needed is significantly different, at least for good short stories. Second, I read a few anthologies a year to get introduced to new authors. In this case I was only familiar with one author prior to picking up the volume. I also love seeing short works by authors who series I have already read.

I am not sure I will ever catch up on reading and reviewing all the Raconteur Press Anthologies, but I will try. I have picked up several of the other anthologies from Raconteur Press, but have to date only read a few of them. I loved Pogue One so much this immediately jumped to the top of my reading list, and it did not disappoint!

I was intrigued by the collection title and purpose, I always love a good space military story. And there are some more great ones in this second volume. The description of this book states:

“Most military fiction regales the reader with fast-paced tales of strong men with sexy weapons who close with, engage, and destroy the enemy with lethal precision. What it tends to ignore, though, is the supply clerk who issues him the body armor that protects him in the fight, the intelligence shop that arms him with information, or the maintenance troops who keep the vehicles running (ideally). Because there are so many ways in which POGs (I served in the early 2000’s) support the fight, one anthology was simply not enough to convey it all, so we had to do another one.

This time, Ted Begley takes us along for the ride with a shuttle driver who has an eye for a bargain. Addison Reid shows us that sometimes a logistics officer knows what troops on the frontline really need, even better than they do, however inexplicable it may seem. An FNG (Freakin’ New Guy) and his first-line leader learn a valuable lesson about an ancient tradition in Jason Hobbs’ “Snipe Hunt.” B. K. Gibson reminds us that even if you don’t expect the unexpected, you’d better be prepared to adapt to it. Rounding out the collection, Malory demonstrates that a POG’s most underappreciated, yet critical skills are, as always, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

The authors all do a fantastic job of capturing different facets of a POG’s life, from the professionalism to the competence to the humor and everything in between. As a former Air Defense Artillery officer, many of the stories in the following pages remind me of my own troops at different times, and I sincerely hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.”

The contributors are:

Liska McCabe

Ted Begley

Addison Reid

D. S. Ligon

Xavier Anderson

T. R. Benjamin

Z. M. Renick

Daryl F. Mallett

B K Gibson

Malory

The chapters or stories are:

Introduction

Another Man's Treasure – By Ted Begley

Al in Logistics – By Addison Reid

Manifest Destiny – By D. S. Ligon

Composting Status: Offline – By Xavier Anderson

The Shell Script of Destruction – By T. R. Benjamin

Masters of Mechamagic – By Z. M. Renick

Snipe Hunt – By Jason B. Hobbs

Revision 12 – By Daryl F. Mallett

Life of a Deliveryman – By B K Gibson

Sudden Death Overtime – By Malory

Also From Raconteur Press

Please, Tip Your Authors!

Endpiece

In the introduction we are informed by Liska McCabe:

“In every production, most eyes are drawn to the stage, but not a single scene would be performed without the people working in the shadows. From sets and costumes, to choreography, to lighting and sound, to rigging—without those support roles, a show simply cannot succeed. The military is no different, except there are fewer divas. Fewer, not none.

Most military fiction regales the reader with fast-paced tales of strong men with sexy weapons who close with, engage, and destroy the enemy with lethal precision. What it tends to ignore, though, is the supply clerk who issues him the body armor that protects him in the fight, the intelligence shop that arms him with information, or the maintenance troops who keep the vehicles running (ideally). Because there are so many ways in which POGs (I served in the early 2000’s) support the fight, one anthology was simply not enough to convey it all, so we had to do another one.

This time, Ted Begley takes us along for the ride with a shuttle driver who has an eye for a bargain. Addison Reid shows us that sometimes a logistics officer knows what troops on the frontline really need, even better than they do, however inexplicable it may seem. An FNG (Freakin’ New Guy) and his first-line leader learn a valuable lesson about an ancient tradition in Jason Hobbs’ “Snipe Hunt.” B. K. Gibson reminds us that even if you don’t expect the unexpected, you’d better be prepared to adapt to it. Rounding out the collection, Malory demonstrates that a POG’s most underappreciated, yet critical skills are, as always, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

The authors all do a fantastic job of capturing different facets of a POG’s life, from the professionalism to the competence to the humor and everything in between. As a former Air Defense Artillery officer, many of the stories in the following pages remind me of my own troops at different times, and I sincerely hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.

Strike Hard - Strike Deep,”

I have loved reading Military Science Fiction since the mid 1980’s when in high school, from my first reading of Starship Troopers by Heinlein to my eagerly awaiting each new volume in Pier’s Anthony’s Bio of a Space Tyrant’s series. So reading a collection like this was like going back to the early days of overcoming my dual form of dyslexia and reading anything I could get my hands on.

 There are a few authors I encountered in this collection I plan on tracking down more and reading. And I should get around to reading the nearly fifty Raconteur Press Anthologies, of which I have picked dup about a dozen. My first reaction was, to whis was similar to the first, ‘Wow what an epic anthology’! My second was if I did not have so many other books I want to read I would go back and reread Pogue One. 

Frequently when you read an anthology there are a few stand out stories, a few that are just meh and the others are good solid stories. That was not the case with this collection. I really appreciated every story in the volume. If I had to pick a story to say was my favourite it would be ‘Revision 12’ by Daryl F. Mallett, followed by ‘Sudden Death Overtime’ by Mallory and third would be; ‘Another Man's Treasure’ by Ted Bagley. But I loved the humour in ‘AI in Logistics’ by Addison. Another standout story is ‘Life of a Deliveryman’ by B K Gibson. The one I keep thinking about is the one by Malory, as a former Rugby player, it really stuck home It also reminded me of a workmate from 20 years ago, I would arrive at 6am and he would invariably be watching Ghana playing Cricket or some match from around the world on one screen while working away on the other.  

There are also numerous full page illustrations between each story and a few extras, they by the amazing Cedar Sanderson, the only thing that would have made it better is if she had contributed a story as well. 

The stories continue in a wide range of interpretations on the theme of military science fiction adventures. I enjoyed each story, and can easily recommend the anthology. It was an awesome collection to read. And I am looking to track down other works from a couple of the contributors. This is a collection that is guaranteed to entertain!

Raconteur Press Anthologies Series:

Ghosts of Malta

Knights of Malta

Saints of Malta

Space Cowboys

Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo

Space Marines

Falcons of Malta

Pinup Noir

Space Marines 2

Moggies In Space

Your Honor, I Can Explain

Space Cowboys 3: Return of the Bookaroo

Or All Will Burn

Moggies Back in Space

PinUp Noir 2

You See, What Happened Was...

Space Cowboys 404: Cow Not Found

He Was Dead When I Got There

Or All Will Burn: Fierce Love

Full Steam Ahead!

Giant! Freakin'! Robots!

Pinup Noir 3

Space Marines III

Moggies in Space: A Galaxy Fur. Fur Away

What! You Again?: The Spurgle Chronicles

Wyrd West

Space Cowboys 5: Cattle Drive

Goblin Market

Hooves, Tracks and Sabers!: Tales of Alternate History

Alien Family Values

Moggie Noir

Or All Will Burn: At All Costs

Coffee Adventures: Quests for the Perfect Cuppa Joe

The Super Generation

Steam Rising: Tales of Steampunk and Wondrous Inventions

The Big Ones

Moggie Noir: Alley Cat Alibi

Road Trippin'

Cursed Canyon: Wyrd West

Giant Stompin' Robots

Coffee Capers: 10 Tales of Coffee and Adventure

Fission Chips: Space Cowboys 6

Goblin Bazaar

Pogue One

From the Brim to the Dregs

Giant Squeeing Robots

Sultry Murder Jazz: Pinup Noir

Plasma Pulp

Wyrd Warfare

Band of Monsters Wyrd Warfare

Magic Malfunction

Dames, Derringers and Detectives: Moggie Noir

Rawhide Revenants: Wyrd West

Goblin Souk

Vice Noir

Artifact Origins

Alien Family Traditions

Blades and Black Magic

Moggies of Mars

Planks and Plunder

Glitched Grimm: Twisted Fairy Tales with Terror

Creature Feature

Mercs and Mayhem

Bourbon and Lead

Corsairs and Cutlasses

Daggers and Dark Powers

High Class Muscle

Uncanny Valet

Insert Coin

Plasma Pulp: Lost Worlds

Pogue Too

Mad Science: Bits and Pieces

…

Raconteur Press Postcard Stories:

Postcards From Mars

Steam-Powered Postcards

Fanta-Fly Postcards

Postcards from Foolz

Single Servings of Liberty 

Imagine THAT! 

Last Call

…

Other Raconteur Press Anthologies:

Best of 2024

Hairballs, Hiccups and Hope

…

An Illustrated Stations of the Cross - Reverend Jim Nisbet

An Illustrated Stations of the Cross:

The Devotion and its History

Reverend Jim Nisbet 

Aka James Nisbet

Twenty-Third Publications

ISBN 9780896221307

ISBN 089622130X

1982

Prior to Lent in 2026  I went through the collection of Stations I had and found I had about 10 I have never read or reviewed and have made the commitment to try and make it through them this Lent, and I added 2 as I have been reading, praying, and reviewing my way through the collection. Of the 10 I started with 6 were from Twenty-Third Publications, and while researching the first review I found a few others I am interested in. This is one that is not part of that series but from the publisher.

This is the seventh of the Stations of the Cross I have read from Twenty-Third Publications in this series, this was originally published in 1982 and there does not appear to have been a reprinting at any point in time since then. This won would not be great for corporate use, but is excellent for personal devotion.

It is not currently available on the Twenty-Third Publications site other retailers show it as unavailable, which is a pity it is an excellent version of this devotion.

The description of this volume from the back cover states:

“This handsome, timely volume captures the power of Christ's last hours for those who have long loved the Stations and those to whom the devotion is new.

Artist / author Father Nisbet offers us a fresh vision of the Stations with a vitality that will satisfy adults and entice youth. The living history of the devotion, as presented by the author and verified by Franciscan scholars, fills a woeful gap in current religious and secular understanding. The sensitive description of the Holy Way gives the reader an awesome sense of "being there" along the Via Dolorosa.

The photographic illustrations are of the Stations in St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C. These historic art pieces were the gifts of the grand-nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. The graphic illustrations by the author offer contemplative symbols for each of the Stations.

Rev. Cyprian Lynch, OFM, Associate Professor of Franciscan History at the Franciscan Institute, states well the purpose of the book in his foreword: ''Employing the inspiring text ... many persons will undoubtedly experience the healing, enlightening and quickening virtue that still goes out from Christ to those who_ meditate on his passion."

An Illustrated Stations of the Cross is an ideal gift for personal devotion or for a study club or a prayer group. The illustrations and prayers have the strength and beauty to rekindle the devotion for today's believer.”

 

The opening prayer in this book is:

“Father, send your Holy Spirit upon me to enlighten and to strengthen me. I seek to walk in the path of your son, Jesus, and to follow in his steps. May I look on this path not simply as an event in history, but as my own life today. Let me learn, let me understand, and give me the strength to accept and to live this path. Amen.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Foreword 

Introduction 

Opening Prayer 

Arrested in the Garden 

The First Station The Unjust Judge 

The Second Station Accepting the Crossbeam 

The Third Station Jesus Fall Under the Cross 

The Fourth Station Jesus Notices Mary 

The Fifth Station The Unwilling Helper 

The Sixth Station True Image 

The Seventh Station Jesus Falls Again 

The Eighth Station The Charitable Women 

The Ninth Station Jesus Rises the Third Time 

The Tenth Station Jesus Is Prepared 

The Eleventh Station Jesus Is Fixed to the Cross 

The Twelfth Station The Suffering Ends 

The Thirteenth Station The Body Is Taken From the Cross 

The Fourteenth Station The Body Is Placed in the Tomb 

The Fifteenth Station The Empty Tomb 

Closing Prayer 

A sample Station for this edition:

“The Third Station 

Jesus Falls Under The Cross

The scriptures do not record the falls of Jesus, but certainly as we consider Jesus' weakened condition, the load he carries, and the crowds in the streets, it is apparent that the way of the cross is difficult and the falls frequent. This is the first of the traditional stations that takes place outside of the fortress where Pilate lives. Even in the Jerusalem of today this means the crushing and surging crowds that are always a part of the Oriental marketplace. Perhaps this fall is simply the result of a crowd more interested in shopping than in the execution that is soon to take place. Jesus falls. The crossbeam slips from his shoulder and falls on top of him. But he rises, picks it up. And continues on his way.

Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the Lord sustains him. Neither in my youth, nor now that I am old, have I seen a just man forsaken ... (Psalm 37:24-25).

Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8).

I see this first fall of Jesus as the result of the indifference of the crowd. The people are not evil or intent on hurting him. They are merely involved in their daily work and are not concerned with what is happening to Jesus. Many times in my own life, in various ways, 1 am jostled and pushed by others who are concerned with affairs that are more important to them than I am. I stumble and fall, hurt more by their indifference than by their pushing. I see that the answer to this situation can only be Jesus' answer. Silently, Jesus gets up, picks up the crossbeam, and goes on. He has a tremendous understanding that I lack but must learn. Each of these people pushing me is also carrying a cross, and I have to become aware that they are. Some crosses are more visible than others, but everyone has one. It is only my indifference to the crosses of others that prompts my unkind word or condemnation. Jesus, who is only too aware of the problems of others, goes on silently.

Father, give me the vision of your son Jesus. Prevent me from letting my problems blind me to the real problems of others. Do not let my concern for myself consume my life and turn me from service to others. I seek to know and to do your will. It is concern for your will and your love, not concern for my comfort, that enables me to carry my cross in comfort. Amen.”

The volume ends with:

“Closing Prayer

Mighty Lord Jesus, I have followed you again on the path to victory over death. May this following bear fruit in my daily life. Renew my love of your church and my participation in her sacraments. Strengthen my commitment to love and serve the people around me. Let my life proclaim the faithfulness of a Father who draws us all to victory. Help me to hold the teachings of your passion in my heart until 1 can again walk this path with you. Amen.”

I highlighted a few passages from the Forward and Introduction they are:

“Since medieval times the way of the cross has been the most widely practiced method of meditating on the Passion. It remains the simplest and easiest means of learning the lesson of sacrifice by studying the divine model of sacrifice. The Second Vatican Council warmly recommended this and other popular devotions, but urged that they be brought into harmony with the scriptures and the liturgy. The author of this booklet has acceded to this injunction of the council in an admirable manner. Employing the inspiring text he has provided herein, many persons will undoubtedly experience the healing, enlightening, and quickening virtue that still goes out from Christ to those who meditate on his passion.”

“The early Christian community was composed largely of Jews, and they continued the practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, although the purpose of the trips came more and more to be focused on Jesus.”

“Christians came from all over the world to recall the events in the life of Jesus that took place in the holy city, and, as time went on, different places in the city came to be identified with specific events in the life of Jesus.”

“As many Christians visited the city, made the walk, and wrote about their experiences, an entire devotion grew up around the life of Jesus in Jerusalem. In time the route of the walk became fixed, beginning at the Antonia and ending at the sepulcher.”

“As control of the area shifted more and more surely into the hands of the Moslems, the Franciscans were among the very few Christian clergy welcome in Palestine. And as time went on the care of the major Christian shrines fell into their hands. They came to be the representatives of the Roman Catholic Church in the Holy Land, and the way of sorrows came under their administration.”

“Meanwhile, in Europe the making of pilgrimages became a regular part of the religious life of the people and the great shrines there grew in importance. People flocked to Rome in Italy, Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and Canterbury in England. But deep within the hearts of all Christians was the longing for the primary place of pilgrimage— Jerusalem.”

“To meet this longing, the Franciscans began the practice of placing the way of sorrows— or stations of the cross— in their churches. Thus the faithful could go on pilgrimage at home and the devotion was made available to all irrespective of one's financial situation or the political fortunes of Palestine.”

“As in the past, some of the sites are certain, some are conjecture, some events are scriptural, some are traditional. Yet within this devotion persists the earliest pilgrimage of the Christian community and our link to our ancestors in faith, the Jewish people.”

“There are two separate elements in the illustrations. The first is the Maltese cross encompassing a Greek cross. The Maltese cross is to represent Jesus, and as his suffering grows its color fills more and more of the cross. His suffering is completely anticipated in the agony of the garden, but then it starts to grow anew slowly through the journey to Calvary and death. The Greek cross represents the cross that Jesus was forced to carry. When Jesus is without the cross the position is blank, but when he has the cross the position is filled.”

“Since the Second Vatican Council, there is a growing custom of including a fifteenth station, the resurrection of Jesus. Because of the desire for symmetry, eight stations on each side of the church building, many places add still another station to bring the number to sixteen. I have honored this custom here by adding a new first station, "Arrested in the Garden." It has no number so that the numbers on the stations correspond to the traditional number sequence.”

Overall am impressed with Stations I have tracked down from Twenty-Third Publications, both the currently in print and older titles like this one. I have benefitted from all of them. And this one was a much deeper exploration of each station. I just wish this volume was in print and that a digital edition was available. I know several people I would recommend it to.

I try and pray a Stations each Friday throughout the year, and every day during Lent. I do not see myself returning to this one often, but if a digital edition because available it would be one I used more often. But I did benefit from praying through it and believe it would be great for personal use but not great in a corporate or group setting.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!  For all Stations of the Cross review click here. 

Books in the Praying The Stations With Series:

A Way of Reconciliation for Teens - Colleen Rainone 

Praying the Stations for Healing - David M. Knight 

Praying the Stations of the Cross for Seniors -  John van Bemmel 

Stations of the Cross for Older Adults - John Van Bemmel  

Praying the Stations for the Suffering, Ill, and Disabled - Holly B. Clark 

Praying the Stations Mary’s Way of the Cross

    aka Praying the Stations With Mary the Mother of Jesus – Richard Furey 

Praying the Stations of Mercy with Pope Francis - Bill Huebsch 

Stations of the Cross for Today's Disciples - Sr. Christine Kreshko 

Praying the Stations with Catechists - Gwen Costello  

Praying the Stations with Children - Gwen Costello  

Praying the Stations with Faith and Courage - Richard Gribble 

Praying the Stations with John Paul II – Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Pope Francis - Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Saint John XXIII - Bill Huebsch 

Praying the Stations with Seniors – John Van Bemmel 

Praying the Stations with Teenagers - Gwen Costello 

Praying the Stations with Young Children - Diane Abajian 

Stations of the Cross for Today's Disciples - Christine Kresho 

The Mystery of the Cross: Praying the Stations with Pope Francis - David M. Knight 

Walking the Via Dolorosa Today - Laurin J. Wenig 

…

Other Stations from Twenty-Third Publications:

A Mother's Way of the Cross - Deborah McCann 

A Personal Way of the Cross - Isaias Powers 

An Illustrated Stations of the Cross - James Nisbet 

Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today - Father David M. Knight 

Stations of Strength Praying the Stations of the Cross in Times of Suffering - Alice Camille 

The People of the Way of the Cross - Marci Alborghetti 

The Stations of the Resurrection - Sister Catherine Duenne 

The Way of the Cross - William V Coleman 

The Way of the Cross for Parents - Susan Jones 

Via Lucis The Way of Light: Praying the Stations of the Resurrection - Glenn Byer

Walking with Jesus on the Way to Calvary - Kathy McGovern 

Way of Cross Religion Teachers - Gwen Costello 

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Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Emil Kapaun

Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Emil Kapaun  

Prayer of the Day  

Lord Jesus,

in the midst of the folly of war,

your servant, Chaplain Emil Kapaun,

spent himself in total service to you

on the battlefields and in the prison camps of Korea,

until his death at the hands of his captors.

We now ask you, Lord Jesus, if it be your will,

to make known to all the world

the holiness of Chaplain Kapaun

and the glory of his complete sacrifice for you

by signs of miracles and peace.

In your name, Lord, we ask,

for you are the source of peace,

the strength of our service to others,

and our final hope. Amen.

Chaplain Kapaun, pray for us!

  

Laser etched icon my son made.

Note: Every so often I post a prayer I use as part of my daily prayers. I started praying this one a few years ago. My son and I read several volumes about Military chaplains. Fr Kapaun is one we have a specific devotion to. A few have now been named Saints.

Relates posts and links:

Prayer of the Day Posts

Prayer Book Reviews

My Prayer Notebook. 

My Daily Prayer List April 2024

My Daily Prayer List October 2025

...

Reviews of other books by and about Father Emil Kapaun:

Blessings from the Battlefield - Edited by Thomas R. O'Brien

Heroic Catholic Chaplains: Stories of the Brave and Holy Men Who Dodged Bullets While Saving Souls

A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William Maher

The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero - Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying

Chaplains in Action - Rosemarian V. Staudacher and H. Lawrence Hoffman  - Vision Book #53

Virtue Series - Kapaun's Men - Formed

Stations of the Cross with Servant of God Emil Kapaun – Scott Carter (Editor)

Kapaun's Battle - Jeff Gress

Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Emil Kapaun

...

Resources from Kapaun's Men:
Virtue Series
Stewardship Series
Beatitude Series

...

Reviews of other books about Military Chaplains:
The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero - Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying
A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William Maher
The Grunt Padre: Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967 - Daniel L. Mode
The Priest Barracks Dachau 1938-1945 - Guillaume Zeller
Blessings from the Battlefield - Edited by Thomas R. O'Brien
Heroic Catholic Chaplains: Stories of the Brave and Holy Men Who Dodged Bullets While Saving Souls

Fr Willie Doyle & World War I: A Chaplain's Story - K.V. Turley
Armed with Faith The Life of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM - Stephen M. Digiovanni

Fighting Father Duffy - Jim Bishop, Virginia Lee Bishop and H. Lawrence Hoffman

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For all reviews and articles about Military Chaplains click here.