These magnificent outdoor Stations of the Cross, overlooking the Hudson River are a true masterpiece, conceived and designed by Italian artist Nino Di Simone in 1996. Monsignor Hilary C. Franco, the Pastor at that time, realized that the project was indeed feasible and together with the construction firm of one of the parish families began searching for an appropriate place on the parish grounds. Although seemingly impossible at first, the site selected was the steep hillside beside the present setting of the Church. Di Simone returned to his studio in Italy and designed and sculpted the figures in terra cotta, cut them into approximately 20 to 30 tiles per station, then glazed and fired the individual tiles.  At the same time, work began to convert the steep hillside into the large walled platform we see now. It all rests on many tons of rock boulders trucked in to form the case for the garden floor.

In six weeks, less than a year from the artist’s conception, the tiles were fixed into the niches and the bold idea became one of Christendom’s most glorious illustrations of the agony and pathos of events leading to the story of our salvation. The garden with its 15 foot high station niches is dedicated to "our mothers", and it was blessed on March 21, 1997 by Cardinal John J. O’Connor, Archbishop of New York.

May its beauty and imagery be an inspiration to all of us.

>> Click here to begin viewing our virtual Stations of the Cross.