The
Stations of the Cross is a journey of hope, they take us through the
heartbreaking walk of Jesus towards Calvary, but by faith we know that they
also lead us towards salvation and life everlasting with God. A good samaritan who regularly walks the
migrant trail from Mexico to Arizona to help people who are lost and in need of
help began collecting articles left behind by the many migrants that pass
through the desert south of Tucson. She
was moved to recreate the fourteen Stations of the Cross to tell the stories of
the many lives that are lost in the trail, of the many people that disappear
nameless and unknown, of the many crimes that go unreported and of the hope
that drives all these migrants from Mexico, Central and South America towards a
better life in the North. Every station
shows us how Jesus too was a migrant from the moment he was in Mary’s womb to
the moment of his death on the cross he embarked on treacherous journeys. Every migrant station reveals personal
testimonies of human rights ignored, rape and death all in the hopes of finding
a better life. Like the story of a woman who died scorched by the heat and whose
dad came looking for her and found her by identifying the rings on a badly decomposed
body, or the young fourteen-year-old from el Salvador who was crossing to
reunite with her mom and celebrate her quinceañera only to disappeared in the
desert, or of the boy who was unjustly shot six times by border patrol in
Nogales, Mexico… Heart wrenching stories
that disturb, but educate on the realities happening so close to our
homes. Below are some photos I took.
Childrens' articles from the many children that also migrate.
Rape Trees: Many human smugglers consider rape part of the price of admission for women
Children the most vulnerable are often forced into slavery.
Bibles, photographs, and love letters show the humanity of our brothers and sisters.
The stations were nicely organized so you walk and pray at your own pace.
Tons of "servilletas" are found showing that a mother or a wife
prepared tortillas and food for the journey.
Piles of shoes and blankets are often found along with tuna cans,
since tuna is cheap and doesn't easily spoil.
Hundreds lose their lives yearly and end with the title of "unidentified."
I love praying the Stations of the Cross during Lent, but I have never been brought to tears. The way this artist combined the plight of the many weak and vulnerable with the story of Jesus made me reflect on the life of Jesus in a totally different way. I saw the blisters on his feet, understood his thirst and agony. I saw Jesus so alive and real in all these stories of helplessness and mistreatment: "Whatever you do unto these You do to Me..." Yet, the journey of the cross is one of hope, the same hope that drives all these migrants on their journey - and suffering is part of the human experience. We understand that the road to Calvary is needed to open the way to God and even in these painful stories I see the face of God. Many of the migrants tell of encounters with angels, some are the good samaritans who silently walk the trail daily bringing water and food to the many taking this journey. May the Lord continue to inspire each of us to see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, and to do our part in helping one another. Pope Francis spoke about this in his visit to the USA, he reminded us to see the issue of migration as people in need of help. People like us with hopes and dreams for a better life... 
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