Stations of the Cross Journal #10

May 7th, 2025

Goodness me! It is simply amazing to watch a piece of art come together after designing it years ago! Each design created for this project 10-15 years ago was inspired by beautiful writings invited from clergy who I had worked with or known personally. I sat and contemplated the theological meaning behind each writing, prayed into and through them to come to 14 illustrations that would vibrantly emote viewers to engage with a story that is about love and through it God’s total identification with our suffering. It is deeply grounding, connecting, uplifting, and moves one through a process or sacred journey.

And producing Station #4 in is no different. Designing Jesus - meeting his mother Mary on the way to Calvary came later in the design process - out of order. My style had evolved from the earlier Stations designed. I had already conveyed the drawings in a number of different layouts and perspectives, and when casting about for a way to portray Jesus and his mother in a creative new way, landed on the idea of drawing them close, yet far away, in a glance. They truly see each other’s genuine beauty and sacred nature in this glance.

I am about 10 days into bringing this Station to life in fabric. It was one I was hesitant how it would come together because I’d never created the close-up of a face in fabric before. Yet…wow! It has blown me away and yet challenged me greatly! I guess I rise to the biggest challenges. The amount of small pieces is bananas!! Over 160! The piecing process was ridiculous. Thankfully, my supporting craftsperson has come far in 3 months. They now anticipate my every need and action. We have become a well-oiled machine! Beau passes me the pieces as I name them, even with the paper corners turned up to make it easier for me to separate.

Closeup of Mary's face from Station 4: "Jesus Meets Mary"

And voila! Mary’s face has jumped off the ironing board in the most vibrant, captivating way. She is there representing all mothers - heartbroken to see her child on his way to death on a cross, and heart-broken for the pains of the world.

The glance they share says ‘I love you’, ‘I believe in you’, ‘I trust you’ and ‘I will always remember the gift you are’. ‘I see you’.

This is the lesson of the moment for us all. We can see people deeply for the gift they are in our lives or just in their humanity. Each day. Any day. Every day. This is what I trust today.

The Stations of the Cross Journals are written by Karen in moments of present reflection and grounding as she moves through bringing all 14 Stations to life in fabric.