Stations of the Cross Shrine
Main St.
San Luis, CO
October 3, 2004

NOTE: BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE INDIVIDUAL PICTURES TO SEE A LARGER, MORE DETAILED VIEW OF EACH STATION STATION VIII - JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
STATION I - JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
 		While staying in Alamosa, Colorado we heard about a town that had a shrine of the Stations of the Cross. After traveling for about 40 miles we arrived in a very simple town. It wasn't difficult to locate the Stations of the Cross Shrine. It was the focal point of the town, which is Colorado's oldest town. The Stations of the Cross Shrine is a series of graphic meditations of the last hours of  Christ's life. STATION IX - JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME
Station II - JESUS BEARS THE CROSS It depicts His judgment, suffering, and death. They also included, at the "15th    Station" the Resurrection. The shrine is formally known as "La Mesa de la Piedad y de la Misericordia" (Hill of Piety and Mercy). Here, they have recreated their own Calvary. The trail leading to the Shrine is just under a mile long, and it culminates at a grotto of Our Lady of  Guadalupe, the Mother of God. This grotto holds pink sandstone statues of the Virgin Mary and Juan Diego. The grotto reminds people of STATION X - JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
Station III - Jesus falls for the first time the special place in the role of salvation and  the love that Hispanics have for Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe. In May 1991 Rev. Pat Valdez of the Sangre de Cristo Church journeyed to Rome with twenty-nine parishioners for an audience with Pope John Paul II. They were accompanied by sculptor Huberto Maestas, a San Luis native and creator of the town's Stations of the Cross Shrine. STATION XI - JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
Station IV - Jesus meets his Mother, Mary Dedicated in 1990, the shrine symbolizes the central role of religion in southern Colorado's Hispano communities. Local residents come here throughout the year for prayer, reflection, and celebration. The shrine also makes an important contribution to the San Luis economy, drawing thousands of visitors annually. STATION XII - THE CRUCIFIXION
STATION V - SIMON HELPS JESUS BEAR THE CROSS Perhaps most important, it has rekindled a sense of unity and pride in this, Colorado's first significant settlement. We learned that the statues were sculpted by Huberto Maestas. He is described as a restless spirit with a passion for art. Maestas exuberates a creative energy that is evident not only  in art, but in life itself. There is nothing passive about a piece by Maestas. His figures embrace drama, and STATION XIII - JESUS IS PLACED IN THE ARMS OF HIS MOTHER
STATION VI - VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS capture the spirit of form in motion. Visualizing each sculpture before it is begun, he captures the essence of  each piece he creates. Addressing his art to the realm of human experience, Maestas is drawn to the human figure. Maestas couples his artistic vision with technical skill, seeing a piece through the "lost wax process" into a finished bronze. STATION XIV - THE BURIAL OF JESUS
STATION VII - JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

Be sure you allow plenty of time as there a number of things to see besides the Stations of the Cross. The interior of the Church on the top of the hill is beautiful as well as the Grotto to Our Lady of Guadalupe. There is also a visitors center that has an excellent view of the town and surrounding mountains. Our trip to this shrine was a really moving one and something I would recommend to anyone visiting in this area.

 STATION XV - THE RESURRECTION


Good Luck! Have Fun! and Stay Safe!

Laura

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