ORLANDO | There are 14 new Stations of the Cross, known as the Gospel Gardens, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. Standing an imposing 10 feet by 10 feet with the scene of the crucifixion filling three times the width of that space, the bronze pieces invite the viewer into the scene as a participant, to experience an encounter with Christ.

Sculptor Timothy Schmalz, known for his work in the Vatican, created the one of kind sculptures. Ground broke in September 2024 and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, now retired, blessed the Gospel Gardens on November 1, 2025.

The new stations are the idea of three men, Greg Stewart, Kevin Loflin, and Mike Flynn, who thought of creating an experience that would touch the most lives possible.

The “experience” is the gift of patron Barbara Papitto, who funded the $9 million dollar project in honor of her late husband, Ralph. A devout Catholic, when she was approached about the project four years ago, she immediately accepted the opportunity knowing Schmalz’s work. She experienced his work, the Homeless Jesus, at St. Timothy Parish in Lady Lake. When Loflin shared the idea, she “fell in love with the project”.

“This, to me, was divine intervention. I wanted to honor my husband with something that was Catholic and that would withstand time. To be part of such a monumental project such as the Gospel Garden is exhilarating,” she wrote to Bishop John Noonan. “I have had the opportunity to witness Timothy Schmalz, as he reverently and with great precision created each station.

“I pray the Gospel Gardens will fortify the faith of many Catholics and Christians that come to view the passion of Christ. May their hearts be forever changed, as my heart and soul has been changed by the Gospel message,” she said.

Meanwhile, Schmalz also felt a call put on his heart to “create an epic Stations of the Cross experience.”

The colossal stations are unlike any other. The Canadian sculptor spent four years creating them while immersing himself in listening to the New Testament Gospels. Several are filled with more than 100 images in a crowd including saints and other figures from the Bible.

He said he thought, “How can I get a cynical 18-year old to fall in love with the Gospel?” Throughout all the passages, with each scene, he was conscious of moving forward for the younger generations. “The idea was to use it for evangelizing for people who might not feel comfortable coming to a basilica,” he said. “This would be an opportunity for them to learn about Christianity. And for those hardcore Catholics, it’s just another way of looking at their faith, another experience they can add to the history of artwork that came before this.”

The path design is likened to a labyrinth. Schmalz said he hopes “it is a spiritual oasis to many people.”

The journey of the sculpture began with the first piece where he would create “windows or doorways into the Bible” through multiple figures, incorporating murals and sculpture. There are life-size figures coming out in three dimensions. The faces are each unique, depicting emotions and experiences.

Cardinal Pierre described Schmalz as a monk in contemplation who tries to “transcend the contemplation in a work of art.” He calls it “beautiful and deep”. “Most of us have forgotten how to pray. When we are taught, we are told to enter into the silence of your soul, enter into the silence of God. Don’t be busy with words. Receive the gift of God,” he said. He added, one should ask, “What have you learned and what will you learn as you remember the Way of the Cross? There is not just a memory, but the experience of an encounter.” He recalled Pope Francis saying, “Faith is not an idea.” “We find it easy to fight for ideas.… This is an encounter with a person,” the Cardinal said.

“The Stations are beyond our expectations,” noted Bishop John Noonan. “I’ve been here probably 10 times since they went up and each time, I go around and look at each station, I am looking at what the message is for each station and they are all beautiful.”

He agreed with Cardinal Pierre that “this is a moment to evangelize. “This is a moment to share the Gospel in a whole new light with many people, especially young people. And this is what the shrine is all about. Welcoming visitors who come to Orlando, to spend an afternoon at the stations.”

He recommended coming and visiting one station each week because of the layers of meaning imbued into each bronze scene, “because they are full of imagery.” He thanked Barbara Papitto for the gift given “to generations to come.”

For basilica rector, Father Ivan Olmo, the words that His Eminence Cardinal Pierre shared in a homily during Mass in the Gospel Gardens made a profound impact. Cardinal Pierre noted how he could see himself in each of the stations. Father Olmo said, “The stations are just that, scripture pages and passages, inviting and welcoming pilgrims into each scene to contemplate God’s mighty works and deeds, his saving grace and the personal intimacy that speaks to each person individually speaking to everyone’s heart, come see and experience my profound love for you.”

The location of the Gospel Gardens was selected for maximum opportunity for evangelization. In 2025 alone, Orlando received 76.7 million visitors. At first, Schmalz was skeptical about the location. Then he asked himself, “Where do you want to preach? In museums or where people go?”

As one approaches each sculpture, one notices sinister faces, a demon whispering in someone’s ear, angels accompanying Jesus, children holding cups of water to quench Jesus’s thirst, guards appearing reluctant to proceed. The sculptures depict parables in the background from the prodigal son to the hemorrhaging woman who is reaching out, touching the hem of Jesus’s garment.

The focal point of the gardens is at the back. Holes in the bronze allow light to shine through, appearing like stars when seen at night. To create the sculpture, Schmalz spoke to the Jesuits at the Vatican Observatory to create the vision of an expansive universe. The priests were so pleased, they requested a copy of the 13th station and placed it in front of the Observatory.

In another sculpture, Jesus is reaching out so people can touch his hand and pray. Cardinal Pierre summed up what he hopes is the experience of visitors. “This garden is about this person who invites me to follow Him. And if we follow Him, listen to His Word and follow His example, it will open for us a horizon. And this horizon will fill us with joy.”

To view videos of each station, click here.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, May 15, 2026