How the parts are cast
Jesus and the first reader are cast first, then Mary, Simon of Cyrene, Veronica, Pilate and the rest of the cast, then the other readers and the bearers. Everyone left is the crowd. With a small group, people take more than one part, but never two parts in the same station, so nobody has to be in two places at once. Once you add names, Choose who plays a part gives Jesus, Mary or any other part to the student you pick; everyone else is still drawn at random.
At each station the leader announces it and says the acclamation, the cast takes its place, the reader reads, and everyone moves on. The USCCB suggests a cross bearer with two candle bearers standing at each station, and a verse of the Stabat Mater while you walk.
Questions about living stations
How many people do you need for living stations?
The traditional stations here have 31 parts: 14 readers, a cast of 14 and three bearers. The scriptural stations have 39. With fewer people, readers and cast members double up, but never in the same station. With more, everyone else is the crowd.
What is the difference between the traditional and scriptural stations?
The traditional fourteen begin with Jesus condemned to death and include Veronica and the three falls. The scriptural stations, which Saint John Paul II prayed on Good Friday 1991, begin in Gethsemane and each has a Gospel reading. The USCCB offers them as an alternative.
Can more than one student play Jesus?
Yes. Choose A different Jesus at each station and the part passes from student to student, so more children get a main part and nobody has to carry the cross for the whole walk.
What do the readers read?
For the scriptural stations, each reader's card prints the Gospel passage from the USCCB page. For the traditional stations, readers write a short reflection on their station; the card leaves lines for it.
What does everyone say at each station?
The leader says "We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee" and all answer "Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world." The scriptural version uses "you" and adds "Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps" after the reading.
Planning for October or May? The living rosary planner gives everyone a bead, prints the human rosary layout and makes a cue card for each person.
Scriptural stations, readings, responses and the cross and candle bearers from the USCCB page Scriptural Stations of the Cross; scripture excerpts from the New American Bible, copyright 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, used with the permission given there for free distribution. Traditional stations and acclamation from the 1898 Manual of Prayers and the Catholic Encyclopedia article Way of the Cross. The cast for each station is the people named in its title or reading. Follow your parish's own customs; this planner is independent and not affiliated with the USCCB.