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Stations of the Cross-Photos take from Lime Ridge Open Space in Concord/Walnut Creek.

By Jan Stegner

 

Station 1 – Jesus is condemned to Death

The rough edge, coldness, and harshness of the rocks and boulders remind me of the streets that Jesus had to walk on at the face of his condemnation.  The contrast of the white rock to the green grass makes me think of Jesus, the Light of the World, walking amidst the crowd, many who were yelling, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.”

 

Jesus, we pray for you, as you walk the uneven surfaced streets of Jerusalem, stripped of your garments, a crown of thorns imbedded in your head, and marks of scourging covering your body.  The humiliation you accepted at the hands of your killers on the way to your cross must have been as horrific as the physical pain you endured.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 2 – Jesus takes up his cross

A cross is a cross, whether it be a straight piece of wood or a twisted piece of tree branch.  The cross that you were nailed to Jesus was as gnarled as this broken branch from a tree.  The crucifixion in itself was as difficult, dangerous, extreme, and disturbing as this branch which lies on the cold winter floor of the canyon.

Jesus, we pray for you as you lift your cross and make way for Calvary.  The streets were rough, the physical pain was unbearable, and the heaviness of the cross was torture.  The cross was given to you, not just as your place of death, but also as a symbol to destroy your spirit, both in body and soul.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

 Station 3 – Jesus Falls the First Time

A fallen tree sits at the edge of the trail.  Its branches worn and torn.  It looks unhealthy and its limbs are sharp, leafless, and dry.  I feel like I could snap it in two with little effort.  There is life around the fallen tree, the green bushes and grasses seem to make the fallen tree look more vulnerable and lifeless.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, as you fall to the ground that first time, you remind me of that tree:  leafless, worn and torn.  The sight of you falling is devastating; the charismatic, compassionate, merciful and loving teacher has fallen under the weight of the jeers, cruelty, and the physical weight of the cross.  However, Jesus, you do not stay down, you rise to complete your mission here on earth.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 4 – Jesus Meets His Mother

The brilliance of the poppies against the greenery of the grasses and bushes allows then to stand out even more in their beautiful orange color.  One flower helps the other shine brightly.  Both stand tall in the winter morning waiting for the sun to open them up so they can radiate together in the day to come.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, you and Mary meet at the fourth station.  Mother and Son both in agony, yet their unconditional love shines bright like the poppies in this photo.  Not one out does the other, they stand together in unity, in beauty, and in love.  And the love they both have for God will allow them to get through this together as the day wears on.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 5 – Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

I find this muddied print as I walk the trail.  The recent rains have left footprints of people and animals.  Whose print is this?  I don’t know nor will I ever know, but what is important it is a print and now I know I’m not alone on this deserted trail this morning.  Someone is with me, and if I need help, I know that someone will be near.

 

Jesus, I say a prayer of gratitude to Simon who was pulled out of the crowd to help you carry the cross so that you could die on it and no time before that.  Simon came to help you, he was near.  He released you of some pain and agony for a short time, but you were not alone in those minutes that he came to help you carry your cross.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 6 – Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

The water of the puddle shows my reflection if I look closely.  The muddied water is not clear, it is messy and murky, but I can still see my face.  My walk has been long, and I’m looking a bit tired.  I look at this puddle and think this puddle is like life, not always clear, smooth and a beautiful body of water, sometimes life gets messy and muddy, but if one looks closely one’s reflection can still be seen.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, your walk was not a clear path, it was not easy and not a walk of beauty.  Your walk to the cross was full of pain.  It was ugly as we sometimes see mud, it was sticky and messy.  Veronica goes out of her way to try to ease your walk, and perhaps even though the image is not perfectly clear, perhaps every time we go out of our way to help another, your image become more transparent in us.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 7 – Jesus Falls the Second Time

This fallen tree on the trail is mangled and it almost looks like it is in pain.  Its branches are disfigured, damaged, almost mutilated.  The tree has fallen, and dead leaves and broken branches surround it.  There is some life near the tree, but the tree itself looks incredible broken.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, falling for the second time you must feel like this tree; damaged, in pain, and tired.  It’s a wonder you got up at all to complete your journey to Calvary.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 8 – Jesus Meets the Weeping Women of Jerusalem

The brightness of the beautiful yellow flowers brightens the hillside in which I walk.  Even though it is a bit windy, the flowers stand tall and do not bent when a wisp of wind touches them.  They brighten the trail and catch my attention amidst the greenery and the fog of the early morning.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, your disciples, apostles and students didn’t meet you on your way to your death.  But who did, a group of women who were considered nobodies in this time of your life, yet you included women in your ministry and in your teachings. They don’t shun you, they stand out, they stand tall, they weep for you, yet they stand by you as you walk this final journey.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 9 – Jesus Falls the Third Time

The random branches and leaves look like a withered pile of sticks, and not some tree branches that one held beautiful leaves and blossoms.  It’s almost like they failed in their job to stay on the tree and hold beauty.  However, if I look really closely, I see hope.  I see peeks of new life that comes from the sticks.

 

Jesus, I pray for you, although you fall a third and last time, you again get up and show, not much, but you still do show life and the will to go on.  You do not give up, you show that you are ready to follow this sentence to the very end, so that we may be able to reach eternal life with you forever.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 10 – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

As I looked at this tiny, and bare tree on my walk, I had to pause for quite some time.  The tree was a lone tree, naked, bare, and small, yet it stood tall, almost as if it thought itself to be the biggest tree on the hill.  The size and lack of leaves, buds and blossoms didn’t matter, what mattered was that this tree rose up reaching to the sky.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, as you are stripped of your garments, we know the clothes did not make you the loving compassionate and merciful man that you were, You and your Father created you as that.  Stripping you of garments does not take anything away from you, they only cover your outer person, the Jesus we all know is the Jesus of love-no garments can cover love.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 11 – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

As I walked past this tree, I felt that it was a hostile piece of nature.  So tangled, so messy, so unkept, and disfigured.  Branches, leaves, moss, twisted limbs not quite knowing where to reach to.  The tree looks angry, it looks like it is in pain.  Given the peaceful grasses underneath it, the confusion of the branches and twigs that are attached to the trunk seem to wreak havoc for this beauty of nature.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, you are nailed to a cross.  The cross may appear smooth in stature, but underneath it is a messy, disfigured, and angry piece of wood that has hurt you to no end.  This cross brings us to a sense of finality, a sense of confusion and a sense of pain.  We feel trapped in your agony.  We struggle to untangle the thoughts and feelings that this senseless act of suffering brings you.

 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 12 – Jesus Dies on the Cross

I found this branch strewn on the path, lifeless and bare, yet with a little greenery on it, which to me signified hope.  Hope in the midst of the cold foggy morning, hope in the midst of winter, and morning darkness.  There was something about this branch that led me to think that even though it was cut off from its life supply, it was still a living part of nature.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, you have said your last, you have breathed your last and now we stand and watch your lifeless body hang on the cross and we stare in disbelief.  Where is our hope now?  Life is Jerusalem will never be the same again.  Life for your followers has been changed, but that is the exact word, changed.  Our hope lies in knowing that our lives have been changed, yet not ended.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 13 – Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

This empty tree looks lost and forlorn.  Its limbs hang down like lifeless sticks.  It looks bare and cold.  It looks sad.  It is surrounded by the growth of grass, bushes and living nature, yet this tree does not exhibit these features at all.  When I look at this tree, I see defeat.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, now we know your death was not a defeat to you or to us.  But to those who were within your circle that day of your crucifixion, those who were left to take your body down from the cross, and to hold you, it must have been a day of loss, deep sadness, and a day to feel a deep sense of unknowing and fear.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 14 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Although these stone were small in stature to which I visualize the stone was to cover the tomb Jesus was laid in, I couldn’t help looking at them with a certain curiosity, of wonder and of awe.  How did they land in the places they did on the soft green grass?  Why were there stones on this one part of the trail, and not anywhere else?  I physically left the trail to walk over to these stones and see their color, their placement, and their shape.

 

Jesus, we pray for you, when death comes, either to a friend, or a relative, we feel a sense of weightlessness and a sense of disbelief.  When I think of the stone that was pushed into your grave to seal you in your death cave, I think of a heavy rock being rolled to keep your body where it was placed.  Opposite themes, the weightlessness of death, and the heaviness of the stone that seals you in.  Yet, do all stones and rocks need to seal us in certain situations…no, stones can easily be rolled and moved in different directions so to allow the light to shine in.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

 

Station 15 – The Resurrection

This tree reflected to me strength, richness, hope and life.  It was impossible to miss as I walked along the morning path.  It was big and extremely beautiful.  Its resonated life.

 

Jesus, we pray, you are the Resurrection and THE Life!  You fulfilled the writings of Isiah in the Old Testament.  You have risen and you have set us free.  You are strength, richness, hope and life.  You are as big and beautiful as this incredible tree…impossible to miss, and resonating life.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

4/30/20 The Retreat Center and Gift Shop will remain closed until May 31. If you come to visit, PLEASE remember we are not a park. On nice sunny days we are limiting the parking lot to 10 cars. Do not walk around the building. This includes the gardens and the stations of the cross.

 

4/28/20

Greeting from San Damiano. Many of you have emailed with warm thoughts and prayers. We also remember you in prayer and look forward to your return.

In the mean time we continue to care for our residence that are sheltering in place here, our employees, the grounds, hiking trails, and pigeons.

We will remain Closed for Business and Gift Shop until May 31. If you come to visit, PLEASE remember we are not a park. Our trails remain open, and we ask you to please keep your personal 6ft space while we share the beauty of our space with you. However, on nice sunny days when people are out walking, we are limiting the parking lot to 10 cars. We have also closed off the road around the building. This includes the gardens and the stations of the cross.

God Bless,

 

3/22/20 – Friends of San Damiano,

We appreciate all your prayers and extend our prayers to everyone in our community. We are in this together. San Damiano closed it doors on March 16. We hope to reopen on April 6. Please return to for more updates.

We hope to see you soon. Stay health and peaceful.

San Damiano Staff and Friars.

3/12/20

Greetings from San Damiano,

Amid heightened focus on coronavirus (COVID-19) in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, we are sharing an update with you regarding the precautionary steps San Damiano is taking for the health and well-being of our visitors.

When you visit San Damiano the only thing you should leave with is a sense of peace and joy (and perhaps a memento from the gift shop). We are taking additional health and safety precautions to maintain the cleanliness of our shared spaces.

Our facilities staff and housekeepers have already begun to increase sanitizing in all high-traffic areas, including surfaces and door handles. Hand sanitizers are placed in or near the meeting rooms. Kitchen and dining room staff have been given a list of precautions to remain healthy for our guests.

As always, we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding planning a visit or staying on retreat. Please contact us, info@sandamiano.org or 925-837-9141 if you have questions related to any upcoming visits.

Whether you choose to come to San Damiano for a calming respite, come to one of our retreats or you’re coming on a retreat with a group, we want you to remain healthy. We ask if you are sick or in contact with people who are ill, if you are experiencing a fever, sore throat or coughing please reschedule your visit. We will understand!

We are all in this together and will continue to pray for those effected by the virus. We’ll be keeping a close look at health recommendations to make informed decisions (led by best practices and factual updates from trusted sources) to ensure that your wellbeing is important to us. In the meantime, here is a link to the CDC website with information regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus and information to help you stay healthy.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

Best wishes and wash your hands for 20 seconds…don’t cheat!

San Damiano Staff and Friars of the Saint Barbara Province.

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