Shrine of Christ’s Passion
For more than 25 years, we lived less than an hour’s drive from the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St John, Indiana. Did we ever visit the shrine? No. We waited until we were more than a two-hour drive to go see it. We went on Friday, August 22.
Was it worth the drive? Absolutely!
Construction of The Shrine of Christ’s Passion began in 2001 and was completed a decade later. Since then, though, additional areas have been constructed.
The Shrine consists of over a 1/2 mile stamped concrete trail featuring more than 40 life-sized figures depicting the “Stations of the Cross” or the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The path takes you from the Last Supper, to Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane to Him being sentenced to death by Pilate. The rest of the trail depicts His Passion walk, all the way to Calvary. Beyond the Calvary station is a path that leads to the church of St John the Evangelist. The church is massive and beautiful, both inside and out.
The pathway/trail is an easy walk and has piped-in music all along the walk. Each station has a very short audio explanation of what is happening to Jesus.
Other areas of the shrine property include a depiction of the burning bush and Moses after receiving the tablets of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai/Horeb. There is also a nice area dedicated to “Our Lady of Guadalupe”.
There is a massive gift shop on site that has anything and everything you might like from a religious memento perspective.
We would highly recommend a visit for anyone. Click on the photos below. Each photo has a caption explaining it.
This is the depiction of the Last Supper. You can sit with Jesus as He broke bread.
Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Can you stay awake for Him for just one hour?
Pontus Pilate sentenceing Jesus to Death.
Chris standing next to Jesus as He is sentenced to death.
Jesus takes up His cross and begins His walk to Calvary.
The total distance of the traditional path from where Jesus was sentenced to Golgotha (Calvary) is approximately 2,000 feet.
Jesus falls for the first time.
Jesus meets his mother, Mary, who is filled with grief.
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross. After being scourged and undergoing trials, Jesus was too weak to carry the cross for the entire distance.
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Chris’ hand on top of Jesus’ hand as He held the cross.
Jesus falls a second time.
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
A view of St John the Evangelist church over the bridge along the trail.
Jesus falls the third time.
The soldiers strip Jesus of his garments, treating him as a common criminal.
Jesus’ hands and feet are nailed to the cross.
The lifeless body of Jesus is tenderly placed in the arms of Mary, his mother.
Jesus’ disciples place his body in the tomb.
Three days later, all that is found is the burial cloth.
Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection, according to the Gospel of John. She was at the empty tomb when the risen Christ revealed himself to her, recognizing him when he called her name.
The Ascension into Heaven.
St John the Evangelist church on the Shrine grounds.
Mary, Queen of Heaven.
Beautiful flowers outside the church.
Inside the church.
The altar and tabernacle inside the church.
Moses on Mount Siani/Horeb after receiveing the Ten Commandments. The photo doesn’t show it very well, but there is actually a “burning” bush to the left in the photo.
We had a seat and took a selfie with Jesus.
As we always do, every chance we get, we lit a candle and prayed for specific intentions we’ve been asked to pray for, our family and friends, and also for two others…those who need our prayers but haven’t asked and for those who have no one to pray for them.
Our (your) candle is the white one in the top center!
Millennium Mary stands 33′ tall. She was created by a sculptor in Illinois and in 2000. She traveled to a number of chruches in northern Illinois. She visited our former parish, St. Mary Immaculate, in Plainfield, Illinois. The mother of the gentleman who created her asked that Mary be placed at the entrance to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion after visiting the shrine when it opened.
