Day Pilgrimage with Office of Lay Engagement

This past October our Office of Lay Engagement offered an opportunity for our Augustinian family to gather in friendship and prayer.  Our recent day trip to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, Indiana, was a profound experience that left a lasting impression on everyone who participated. Nestled in a serene landscape, the Shrine offers a space for deep reflection, prayer, and connection to the life and passion of Jesus Christ. The setting is peaceful, with meticulously maintained grounds and a sense of tranquility that embraces you as soon as you arrive.  

The centerpiece of our visit was the half-mile journey through the interactive Stations of the Cross. The life-sized bronze sculptures vividly depict the events of Jesus’ Passion, beginning with the Last Supper and culminating at the empty tomb. Each station is accompanied by an audio meditation, providing scripture readings and reflections that guided our hearts and minds deeper into the mysteries of Christ’s suffering and love. Walking along the path, we felt as though we were being invited into the scenes of the Passion, with the statues and meditations bringing to life the depth of Jesus' journey to the cross.  

Throughout the day, there were moments of silent contemplation and group prayer. The serene landscape, with its beautifully landscaped gardens, offered us the perfect setting to gather, reflect, and connect as a community. The path through the Stations was a time of personal meditation for many, but it also fostered a sense of unity as we shared in this moving pilgrimage together.  

We closed our time together by sharing our key takeaways from the experience, reflecting on the final moments of Christ’s life and the depth of his love for us. Each person offered insights from their time of prayer, making this a deeply enriching and communal experience.  

We left the Shrine of Christ’s Passion with a renewed sense of gratitude for the gift of Christ’s love and the powerful reminder of his sacrifice for us. It was a day of grace, fellowship, and renewal, and one that we will carry with us for a long time. 

“This trip was more than just a visit to a beautiful location—it was a spiritual journey that allowed us to deepen our faith, find new perspectives, and share meaningful moments together as an Augustinian Family.”