Life-Size Bronze Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of San Juan del Valle Enhance Pilgrim Devotion

These awe-inspiring life-size Stations of the Cross, designed by Rohn & Associates Design for the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Shrine in Brownsville, Texas, uniquely blend earthly simplicity with divine majesty. Cast in bronze and set in a serene earthly garden incorporating local fauna, thorn bushes, rough-hewn rock (transported by train from Austin) and rough-cut oak crosses from Pennsylvania, this outdoor installation is organic and reverent, humble yet awe-inspiring—intended to transport pilgrims to a holy plane. 

From Rohn artists' initial concept sketches, small bronze models were created by one of our carefully selected artisans. Life-size wood sculptures were then hand-carved for each of the 14 Stations. Lastly, the wood sculptures were used to create the molds needed to execute the final bronze cast. Due to the enormity of the project, the Stations had to be created in segments and were later assembled. The Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine is visited by pilgrims from far and near in order to reverence the Mother of God.