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The Pilgrims Page: The Shrine of Christ’s Passion
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May 10, 2024
The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is in the town of St. John, Ind. The grounds are tucked away from the main road and other than the giant statue of Our Lady out front you would not know much is there. If you decide to stop, which I highly recommend, you will come upon a half-mile winding interactive prayer trail of the last days of Jesus Christ.
This shrine is newer than most. Construction began in 2001 and continues today. The path feels very secluded, and the sculptures are not close together, at times you can’t even see the next station. There are over 40 life size sculptures depicted in various ways. You can go up and touch them and, in some cases, there is a spot designed for you in the scene. For example, there are empty stools to sit with Jesus at the Last Supper. In the Garden of Gethsemane, there is a rock you can sit or kneel on right next to Jesus as he is praying to the Father, “let this cup pass from me.” Exiting the garden, you will come across a path to the Praetorium where Pontius Pilate sits washing his hands while Jesus somberly looks on. I stood next to Jesus for a while, and it was very surreal.
At the foot of the cross, silence is requested. There you stand gazing up at Jesus on the cross with the two thieves, one on each side. What struck me with this station is the view of a Catholic Church in a distance directly behind Jesus on the cross. I was reminded of the centurion who thrust his lance into the side of Jesus and blood and water came forth. This has often been used to symbolize the birth of the church. There is an empty tomb you can wander in and view the shroud laying on the slab and reflect on the fact that Jesus is not there. He has risen!
All of the stations are accompanied by audio reflections explaining the scenes, as well as soft music playing rather somberly for the passion stations and more uplifting for the resurrection and ascension stations. In addition to the Passion Walk, in another part of the grounds are: shrines dedicated to Moses giving the Ten Commandments; Our Lady of Guadalupe, which includes a chapel built similar in style to the Spanish Missions; a sanctity of life shrine; and the family plaza with several sculptures relating to the Holy Family. The shrine is a non-profit and there is no entry fee. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. John, is a small town just south of Chicago. The shrine has easy access and parking, along with pilgrim services and two large gift shops. Learn more at www.shrineofchristspassion.org.
Another worthy mention less than an hour away is the National Shrine and Museum to St. Therese of Lisieux in Darian, Ill. This shrine has very nice grounds to wander around in as well. The museum of St. Therese has the most artifacts from her life outside of the Carmelites in Lisieux. It includes a replica of her cell and copies of her letters among other things. Both of these shrines are worth the trip.