The Shrine of Christ’s Passion, St. John, Indiana
Location Name
The Shrine of Christ’s Passion, St. John, Indiana
Street Address
100630 Wicker Ave, St. John Indiana 46373
City
St. John
Type of Prayer Place
Other
Description
This is an incredible walk outdoors that takes you to different vignettes of life-size bronze statues depicting the events leading up to the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ. You begin your journey at a life size table where Christ is serving the Last Supper and you can sit at the table as if you are one of the disciples. You then move to the disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane while Christ agonizes in prayer. The path then takes you through the traditional stations of the cross, each depicted in life size bronze statues that you can touch. At each station there is an audio explanation of the scene with an inspirational thought/challenge that you can listen to, as well as a place to sit in contemplation. There is a large towering display of Christ on the cross along with the two thieves who were crucified alongside Him. There is an empty burial tomb into which you can walk and a magnificent statue on a high pedestal showing Christ in mid flight as he ascends into heaven.
The entire walk is well landscaped with trees and boulders and is about half a mile long. There are speakers throughout the walkway that add background music. There is also a great gift shop with many objects of religious art, jewelry, etc. The gift shop is the largest religious gift store in the area with over 10,000 items.
How I used this place of prayer
I visited with a friend and we decided to do the walk in silence so we could be in meditation. Being silent instead of discussing the scenes added a very reverent and real feel to actually walking through the scenes from the passion of Christ.
Hours of Operation & Admission Requirements
Open 10-5 daily. No admission charge but donations are welcomed
Contact Information / Sponsoring Organization
http://www.shrineofchristspassion.org 1-855-277-7474
Personal Tips
The path is half a mile long and you must walk back from the end to the visitor’s center so wear good walking shoes and wear a hat if it’s sunny as there is no shade. The first part is a level walkway but the last part is up hill. There’s a place behind the gift shop to sit and we were glad we had water bottles with us as we visited on a warm September day. Take your camera because of the opportunity to photograph yourself and your friends interacting with the statues. The walk is handicap accessible, and we noticed a golf cart that could be used to bring tourists through the shrine if you make advance arrangements.
Added by Karen Barber on February 12, 2013
