Where Lives Are Changed One Soul at a Time
Experience as never before the Passion of Christ.
Located at 10630 Wicker Avenue (U.S. 41) in St. John, Indiana, The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is a multi-media interactive, half-mile winding Prayer Trail that depicts the last days of Jesus Christ’s life. Forty life-size bronze sculptures in a tranquil setting, complete with beautiful music and amazingly sculptured gardens allow visitors to experience the story of the crucifixion and resurrection as never before! Chicago broadcaster Bill Kurtis narrates the audio recordings that you hear at listening stations along the path.
Construction on the interactive winding pathway began in 2001 and included 3,000 yards of concrete, approximately 200 semi loads of boulders and more than 1,000 trees and bushes. Created by Texas artist Mickey Wells, 40 life-size bronze sculptures, weighing 300 to 700 pounds, vividly tell the story of the last days of Christ.
The Shrine is operated by a non-denominational, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) private foundation. The proceeds from The Gift Shoppe and donations help to maintain the grounds.
The Last Supper: Jesus Celebrates the Passover with His Apostles
“Jesus took bread; He said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them saying, ‘Take and eat; This is My Body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of Me.’” (Matt. 26 & Lk. 22:10)
Agony in the Garden: Jesus Goes to a Place Called Gethsemane to Pray
“Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” (Mk. 14:36)
Jesus is Condemned to Death
Pilate then “took water and washed his hands, in the sight of the crowd, saying ‘I am innocent of this just man’s blood.’” (Matt. 27:24)
Jesus Accepts His Cross
“Carrying the cross Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.” (Jn. 19:17)
Jesus Falls the First Time
“Gaze upon our Lord as He falls for the first time.”
Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother
“Carrying His cross, Jesus looks up and sees His mother. How oppressive that experience must have been for both of them!”
Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
“They met a Cyrenian named Simon, this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.”
Jesus Falls a Second Time
“Our arrogance, our violence, our injustices all press down upon the Body of Christ.”
Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
“Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk. 14:36)
Jesus Falls a Third Time
“Jesus arriving exhausted at the foot of Calvary falls for the third time.”
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
“Jesus neared the place of His crucifixion. As a final insult, He was stripped of His clothing. He was left with nothing.”
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
“Man’s inhumanity to man knows no bounds. Behold your Savior pierced for our offenses.”
Jesus Dies on the Cross
“Then crying out with a loud voice He said, ‘Father into your hands I commend my spirit.’ And having said this He breathed His last.” (Lk. 23:46)
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
“With what love she holds her Son next to her breaking heart; no parent should outlive their child- it if just not natural.”
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
“In the place where He was crucified was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there.” (Adapted from Jn. 19:38- 42)
The Ascension
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, until the end of time.” (Matt. 28:19-20)
Resurrection
“But on the third day when Peter and John entered the tomb, they saw that it was empty.”
Post Resurrection Appearance: Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
“Go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and you God.” (Jn. 20:17)