Hill of Crosses

Ariana McMahon

With a landscape full of seemingly random crosses, the country of Lithuania displays its religious devotion and pride. In their article on Lithuanian crosses, Giedre Mikneviciene and Marija Nemuniene, say, “Crosses are an inseparable part of the Lithuanian scenery” (1). Many people travel to on pilgrimages different places. The more popular places being Mecca, Jerusalem, or Stonehenge. One of the less known destinations is a hill located in the town of Siauliai, in Lithuania. The Hill of Crosses is known for being a place of remembrance for Lithuanian Catholics. The Hill is exactly like its name and is covered in crosses, placed there over the years by the many people who visit. The reason why the people of Lithuania placed crosses in different places is because of religious reason. Before the spread of Christianity stone pillars were placed to worship pagan gods. The different types of crosses are Cross Double-cross crest, Double-toried, roofed pillar, Pillar-type chapel, Chapel, and Curonian cross board (3).

In this image only a tiny portion of the Hill’s crosses are shown, but the variety of crosses is clearly seen

Siauliai, the town where the Hill is located was “occupied by Teutonic Knights during the 14th century. The tradition of placing crosses dates from this period…” (Gray). Though the hill has a long history many of the crosses are relatively new. This is because the Hill has been destroyed several times. Once when the Tsarist Russia oppressed Lithuania and Poland. The people of Lithuania revolted and many were killed on the Hill of Crosses. So, to remember their countrymen crosses were placed, but were immediately destroyed multiple times. The Hill survived through german occupation during World war II, and both Mikneviciene and Nemuniene state, “There were four organized cross demolition waves but the Hill of Crosses would constantly revive. The fight for the survival of the Hill of Crosses lasted for about 20 years” (6). 

In 1993, the Pope John Paul II paid his respects to the those who lost their lives during the revolt. He commended their efforts in keeping their religion alive and then erected a cross in their memory. Also, “a hermit of the Franciscan Brothers was consecrated on July 7, 2000” (“Hill of Crosses”). Now the number of crosses placed on the Hill has grown exponentially due to tourism and the Hill is a place of peace remembrance and worship.

Work cited:

Gray, Martin. “Hill of Crosses.” Sacred Sites. 1982-2016, sacredsites.com/europe/lithuania/hill_of_crosses.html. Accessed 20 Oct. 2016.

Gray, Martin. Hill of Crosses, Siaulia. 1982-2016, Sacred Sites, sacredsites.com/images/europe/lithuania/hill-crosses-02-500.jpg

“Hill of Crosses.” Sanctuaries and Pilgrimage Sites. Catholic Internet Service, 1998-2001, www.lcn.lt/en/bl/sventoves/kryziuk/. Accessed 20 Oct. 2016.

Journeyman Pictures. “Hill of Crosses-Lithuania.” Youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0nX9PGRW64. Accessed 15 Oct. 2016.

Mikneviciene, Giedre and Marija Nemuniene. "Lithuanian crosses and the spirit of place: Transmitting the spirit of place." The Institute for Design and Restoration. Vol. 16, Fall 2008, pp. 1-10.

Motuzas, Alfonsas. "The Origin of the Hill of Crosses, Devotional Practices and Music of the Pilgrimages." Scholarly Papers University of Latvia: Oriental Studies, vol. 793, no. 10, Fall 2013, pp. 79-83.

For further information on Lithuania:

Hill of Crossses.com

http://www.hillofcrosses.com/

This site contains more information and a way to book a trip to the Hill of Crosses.

Places of peace and power

https://sacredsites.com/europe/lithuania/hill_of_crosses.html

This website provides a short history of the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania and little details on the different types of crosses present on the hill.

Lonelyplanet.com

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/lithuania/attractions/a/poi-sig/360107

This site gives a list of places in Lithuania that is not limited to just the Hill of Crosses.

St. Bernadette of Lourdes

Author: Briana Parks 

Marie Bernard Soubirous 

Marie Soubirous was born on January 7^th 1844. She was the first born child in her poverty-stricken family. Because her family’s living condition was poor, it caused her to live with bad health. At the age of ten, she began to suffer from cholera and asthma.  On February 11^th 1858, Marie and two other young girls went to collect firewood near a grotto where she seen light in the shape of a small woman. The visions were believed to be Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. There are eighteen apparitions of Virgin Mary to Bernadette. Amazing, during the ninth apparition, Virgin Mary said to Bernadette, “Drink from the fountain and bathe in it.” When Bernadette began to dig in the soil beneath her feet, it began to moisten and water rose from the ground. The day after, the small pool of water had become a stream.  These apparitions had attracted large crowds and many people began to follow Bernadette as if she were a disciple.

Our Lady of Lourdes

Marie Bernard Soubirous died on April 16, 1879. She was buried as a saint on the convent grounds in Nevers, France. After thirty years, on September 22, 1909, her body was dug up from her grave. When St. Bernadette’s coffin was opened, there was no presence of an odor, and her body looked the same as it was at the time of her death.  Once again, her body was exhumed on April 3, 1919. It was looked the same as it did when they dug it up ten years earlier. Her body was declared venerable. Her body was covered in wax and her body was moved into a coffin made of glass and gold. Her body can be viewed today in the Chapel of Saint Bernadette in Nevers, France.

Works Cited:

Armitage, J. Mark. “Bernadette of Lourdes: Her Life, Death And Visions—By Therese Taylor.” Reviews In Religion & Theology 17.4(2010): 625-627. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. 

Martin, James. “Of Many Things.” America 203.1(2010):2. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.

“Pope At Lourdes: Mary Leads To Christ.” America 199.9(2008):7. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Oct. 2013.

For Further Research:

If you are interested in further learning about Saint Bernadette, the link listed, CATHOLIC ONLINE  is a very helpful website. Search St. Bernadette Soubirous. This site list the apparitions of Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette.

THE BODY OF SAINT BERNADETTE OF LOURDES,  This site gives the reader information about the body of Marie Soubirous after her death.

ST. BERNADETTE OF LOURDES, This site gives information about the life and importance of Marie Soubirous. 

The Mystery of Saint Bernadette’s Body

Author: Spencer Weatherman

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

In Lourdes, France, on January 7, 1844, a poor miller and his wife were blessed with a baby girl. They named her Marie-Bernadrde Soubirous. They did not know that later on their daughter would be a Saint of the Catholic Church. Saint Bernadette reported seeing eighteen apparitions of a small young lady (A&E Network). Her first vision was on January 11, 1858. It was later discovered that she was referring to the Virgin Mary. Saint Bernadette became a Christian Mystic and Saint in the Catholic Church, but she was not canonized as a Saint until 1933, which was fifty-four years after her death (A&E Network). Saint Bernadette died on April 16, 1879, of an illness. She was only 21 years old when she pasted away.  Saint Bernadette was buried in a damp grave in Nevers, France. Thirty years later her body was dug up for beatification reasons (Catholicpilgrims). It was found that her body was still preserved and intact. She looked exactly like she did on the day she had died. It is believed that it is the way of the Lord and because Saint Bernadette gazed into the eyes of the Virgin Mary. Saint Bernadette took with her the knowledge of secrets the Virgin Mary had shared with her. Saint Bernadette was a visionary and messenger who told the words of the Virgin.

"Intact, those lips which conversed with the Virgin Mary. Intact, those hands which guided by the hands of Aquero, painfully scratched the soil of Massabielle and opened for us the miraculous spring of penance. Intact and present, this heart so tender and so strong beats for the love of Jesus and His Mother, and on their account for all the sinners in the world. Intact, as if she had just gone to sleep, and awaits only the angel's call to rise to her feet. God did not want her to escape totally from our human wretchedness, nor leave her brothers and sisters for whom she gave her life. She is still among us."

 — A. Ravier, S.J. (Catholicpilgrims)

Hold mouse over image to see Bernadette at the time of her death, April 16, 1879, Animation may take a minute to download

Works Cited:

"St Bernadette of Lourdes Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/st-bernadette-of-lourdes-9209641.

"St. Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes." The Catholic Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. http://www.catholiccompany.com/st-bernadette-soubirous-of-lourdes-c554/?aid=117.

“Saint Bernadette.” Saint Bernadette. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. http://www.catholicpilgrims.com/lourdes/ba_bernadette_intro.htm.

Byran Bustard. “Saint Bernadette Soubirous.” Painting- Acrylic and Prismacolor on Illustration Board. Fine Art America, November 30, 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/saint-bernadette-soubirousbryan-           bustard.jpg.

Links for further research:

Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary

http://www.piercedhearts.org/theology_heart/life_saints/bernadette.htm

Contains information about Saint Bernadette’s religious vocation.

Followers of Jesus and Mary

http://www.indefenseofthecross.com/Lourdes.htm

Contains information about why Saint Bernadette is so important in the Catholic Church.

Eternal Word Television Network

http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/bernadet.htm

Contains information about Saint Bernadette’s life before she became a Saint.