San Luis, Colorado

As part of Passion Week between Passover and Easter this year, we drove to San Luis, Colorado, to hike a mountain path that commemorates the stations of the cross (Jesus' final journey) and ends at a small but majestic chapel upon a hill.  

The skies were as blue as could be, with the snowy San Luis Mountains on the horizon. 

The bronze statues along the path are perfectly placed on the desert-like hillside among mature pinon pines. Huberto Maestas, a local sculptor, created all of them to portray deep emotion. Following them up the hill was like immersing oneself in a live drama. You could really feel the burden and weight of the cross that we all bear on our own journey.

The views from the summit are spectacular.

The chapel is stucco and wood, sparse yet filled with holy energy. Services are held in English and Spanish for local resident and visitors.

Also part of San Luis are dozens of statues commemorating Catholic cleric martyrs who died at the hands of the Mexican government. This statue of Jesus, like many of the others, is adorned with prayer beads.