Erected in 1993 The Cross faces northwest
towards the town of Ballinger, Texas. The Cross stands 100 ft. tall and
from tip to tip on the arm it measures 70 ft. The Cross, above ground,
weighs 50 tons with another 100 tons of material buried for support. At
the bottom is a roof and walkway with a guest book for visitors to sign.
The grounds also include walkways, a small Chapel, St. Frances Shrine and
the Our Lady "of Guadalupe". The Cross can be seen for miles during the
day and especially at night when it is illuminated with lights.
Our Lady "of Guadalupe"
The image is taken as representing the Immaculate
Conception, being the lone figure of the woman with the sun, moon, and
star accompani- ments of the great apocalyptic sign, and in addition a
supporting angel under the crescent.
Our Lady "of Guadalupe"
On December 9, 1531, an Indian in recently
conquered Mexico named Juan Diego rose before dawn to walk fifteen miles
to daily Mass in what is now Mexico City.
Scene from the Chapel
Juan lived a simple life as a weaver, farmer,
and laborer. That morning, as Juan was hurrying down Tepeyac Hill, the
Blessed Virgin appeared and sent him to Bishop Zumárraga to have
a temple built where she stood. She said she was the Virgin Mary
and called herself “of Guadalupe” and asked Juan to tell the bishop
to build a church on that site.
The bishop was skeptical and he asked Juan
to bring proof of the Lady's identity. Before Juan could go back to the
Lady, he received word of a dying uncle and went to care for him. Grieved
Juan was
running to the St. James's convent to get a priest. Juan missed his meeting
with the Lady but she met him on his path and told him that his uncle had
been cured.
She then told Juan to climb to the top
of the hill where they first met. At the top of the hill Juan found roses
growing in the frozen soil. He gathered them in his cloak and took them
at once to the bishop. Juan told the bishop what had happened and opened
his cloak. The roses that fell to the ground were Castilian roses which
were not grown in Mexico. Inside Juan's cloak was imprinted a glowing image
of the Lady. A short time later a church was built on the site where
the Lady appeared, and thousands converted to Christianity. The Lady of
Guadalupe was declared the patroness of the Americas.
Night Scene of The Cross
The Sunset scenes of The Cross can be some
of the most beautiful.
Photos Below: The First National Bank Of Ballinger
A scene of The Cross with a cloud
and rain shower in the back ground.
On Easter Sunday each year all Christian
Faiths joint together for a Easter Sunrise Service at The Cross to
celebrate the resurrection of Christ our Lord and Savior.
The Easter Sunrise Services start at Sunrise.
Visitors are welcome.
The Cross is open for visitors 24 hours a day
everyday.
