Stations of the Cross

Contemplative Images for Holy Week

View a video of these Stations of the Cross, accompanied by sacred music

View video The Passion of our Lord

Ver video La Pasión de nuestro Señor

 

Read in Spanish

 The reason for the use of Sacred Art in the Church is to make visible what is invisible, to bring us to a more heightened state of awareness and connection with God and His Saints that we might share more fully in His Glory and Love for us, that we might go forth and DO HIS WILL.

Sacred Places of Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection have always been venerated – early pilgrims retraced the Way of the Cross. So it was that the pilgrims brought back from The Holy Land the idea of recreating those sacred places and events to share with the faithful of their home churches.

It is said that Saint Francis of Assisi began the practice of the Stations of the Cross. It then spread throughout Italy and Europe. It was his practice to reproduce in a realistic way the events of our Lord’s life and deeds (an example, is his reported installation of the stable and manger with live animals and people in commemoration of the birth of Jesus).

In a similar way I conceived these Stations of the Cross to bring immediacy to the Passion of our Lord.

Each one measures 4-ft x 8-ft. This is because of the cavernous size and interior simplicity of the nave of the church, Santa Rosa de Lima, in the town of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.  Intimacy was achieved by the use of local people as models and customs, so that the faithful might better identify with the trials that Our Lord and Savior suffered and died for because of His Love for us.

 

Jesus is condemned to death. ViaCrucis Station 1 painting by AVonnHartung

Here we see Jesus, centered, surrounded by many but COMPLETELY alone, only those admitted from the status quo on both sides (although we see Flavia, wife of Pilate and perhaps Nicodemus who represent a small group of inside sympathizers).

In the midst of a crowded room He is a lonely figure. All signs point to Him, the columns, the center aisle and all who gesture, single Him out in accusation. He is The One! The cause of all their troubles, indignation and hatred! He must DIE!

 

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Stations of the Cross

THESE STATIONS OF THE CROSS paintings show the process of conversion as Jesus was put to the test and tormented. Indeed, his persecutors came to understand who he was.

[Spanish translation follows]

Accordingly, the stations express a perspective that emphasizes the effect Jesus had on those present during his ordeal of carrying his own cross to his crucifixion on Calvary. Specifically, as the bystanders are pulled into his suffering we follow by observing closely, the actual Revelatory conversion of the principal Roman soldier.  Moreover, we see how the outpouring of grief and compassion of others around him begin to melt away his own cruelty and indifference.

Jesus takes up his cross, ViaCrucis station 2 painting by A.Vonn Hartung

See how he marvels at the deep and complete faith of Veronica as she wipes the face of our Lord. Furthermore, others also are going through the steps of conversion from confusion and despair to an awakening clarity. Significantly, we see this most clearly in the others behind Veronica.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.ViaCrucis station 6 painting by A.VonnHartung

Thus we understand how the soldier at the foot of the cross could finally come to the realization that they had indeed crucified “The Son of God”.  (Mk 15:39)

 

 About the paintings

The artist painted these Stations of the Cross for Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Guaynabo (Barrio Amelia), Puerto Rico.  In fact, he conceived them with the community in mind. Moreover they include much of the spiritual and cultural qualities of Puerto Rico. Each Station measures 4-ft by 8-ft, painted in acrylic and gilded in copper and gold. They surround and crown the nave of the church.

Read More about these paintings

View contemplative video of these Stations of the Cross

See video The Passion of our Lord

Ver video La Pasión de nuestro Señor

 

Commissioned by Padre Antonio “Tito” José Vázquez

Photos by Greger Norrevik

 

Las pinturas de estas ESTACIONES DE LA CRUZ muestran el proceso de conversión cuando Jesús fue puesto a prueba y atormentado. Sus perseguidores llegaron a comprender quién era.

De hecho, las estaciones expresan una perspectiva que hace hincapié en el efecto que Jesús tuvo en los presentes durante su terrible experiencia de llevar su propia cruz a su crucifixión en el Calvario. A medida que los transeúntes son arrastrados a su sufrimiento, seguimos observando de cerca la conversión Revelatoria real del principal soldado romano. Vemos cómo el torrente de dolor y compasión de los que le rodean comienzan a disipar su propia crueldad e indiferencia.

Jesus takes up his cross, ViaCrucis station 2 painting by A.Vonn Hartung

Vea cómo se maravilla de la fe profunda y completa de Verónica mientras limpia el rostro de nuestro Señor. Otros también están pasando por los pasos de conversión de la confusión y la desesperación a una claridad que despierta, como se ve más visiblemente en los otros detrás de Verónica.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.ViaCrucis station 6 painting by A.VonnHartung

Así entendemos cómo el soldado al pie de la cruz pudo finalmente darse cuenta de que habían crucificado al “Hijo de Dios”. (Marcos 15:39)

 

Acerca de las pinturas

Estas Estaciones de la Cruz fueron pintadas para la Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima en Guaynabo (Barrio Amelia), Puerto Rico. El artista los concibió con la comunidad en mente e incluyen gran parte de las cualidades espirituales y culturales de Puerto Rico. Cada estación mide 4 pies por 8 pies, pintada en acrílico y dorada en cobre y oro. Se rodean y coronan la nave de la iglesia.

Leer más acerca de estas pinturas

Ver videos contemplativos—

Stations of the Cross

 The Passion of our Lord

 La Pasión de nuestro Señor

 

Encargo del Padre Antonio “Tito” José Vázquez

Fotos por Greger Norrevik