Garabandal Station 01

🚶‍♂️ Garabandal Station 01 First Station of the Cross – Jesus is Condemned to Death

Garabandal Station 01 begins on quiet, sacred mountain ground.

This part of my pilgrimage was by far the most exciting for me. Maybe because the bus left with over half of our group for lunch leaving me and two others to venture up this mountain.

The weather was warm, not annoyingly humid or hot for this climb. Getting to this first station was fairly easy.

I kept thinking about the film I just watch in the pilgrim center explaining the messages from Our Lady to the children here. 

Now, I stand at the First Station, confronted with the very moment when Truth Himself was condemned.

Jesus—the innocent One, the healer, the teacher, the Son of God—is condemned. He is betrayed and rejected, not for something He did, but for what He represents: Truth, Light, and uncomfortable love.

Here in Garabandal, far from noise and distraction, I can finally acknowledge how often I shrink back from those same ideals. Much of what Mary warned us about seems to be embodied in Garabandal Station 01—the danger of complacency, the pull of the crowd, and the cost of silence when we are meant to stand up.

This mountain reminds me that the time to follow Him is now, and I can begin here.

🙏 Reflection Prayer

Jesus, You were condemned for loving too deeply and for speaking the truth too clearly.
In this quiet mountain village, I hear the echo of that same truth calling out once more.

Forgive me for the times I chose the easier path. Forgive my silence, my fear, and my desire for comfort.
Forgive me when I allowed the voice of the crowd to drown out Your whisper.
Lord, I am so sorry that I have hurt you.

As I make the decision to take the first step towards you my Lord, let this place, Garabandal remind me time is short.
Lord let me begin again with your help to have courage. Help me to walk beside You, not in front of You. 
Jesus, I Trust in You.

This station reflects to me what Pilate says and does, but at the same time my eyes are on Jesus and what He is not doing. The lesson here for me is seeing Him barely speaking only when necessary. There is no defense, anger or resistance. He is just silent.

I think Pilate knows he is into something beyond himself. He is stuck between a rock and hard place. He is trying to satisfy the crowd that is screaming crucify him. He knows deep down that Jesus is an innocent man. But instead, Pilate is grasping at straws, trying to keep the peace and protecting his position. Pilate is operating from fear. We or I should say I do this many times operate out of fear. Yet Jesus stands still He is rooted in truth.

And here on the start of this path, my friends quietly making their way to the next station, we are surrounded by the watchful silence of the mountains, and I begin to wonder: what kind of silence lives in me? Do I keep quiet because I’m afraid of consequences? Or because I’ve surrendered my pride and placed everything in God’s hands?

Here at Garabandal Station 01, this contrast is unavoidable, the voice of fear and the silence of love. Jesus’ silence isn’t passive. It’s full of power. It's the silence of someone who knows the end of the story and is willing to suffer through the hardest part to redeem it.

📸 Garabandal’s Atmosphere

This station, nestled in the rustic beauty of Garabandal, holds a sacred stillness. The forest floor is uneven, the trees stretch tall like sentinels, and the cool air carries a sense of peace that lingers. There's no noise pollution, no crowd pushing in. Only space to listen, to watch, and to feel.

I hear Pilate ask Jesus' question after question — and Jesus gives him almost nothing. Not because He doesn’t have answers, but because the answers are not what Pilate wants to hear.

Think about this Jesus didn’t come to play politics. He didn’t come to please crowds or win debates. He came to witness to the truth, even if no one listened. If you think about Judas and what he thought Jesus was going to do. I would imagine he was greatly disappointed. 

That hits close to home in Garabandal. Mary came here to warn that the world was losing sight of the truth — turning away from God, ignoring the Gospel, living as if there were no consequences. This warning is still prevalent in our lives are we listening?

And it begins here, with this moment of silence. Jesus chooses not to explain Himself. He lets the injustice happen, because He knows what His silence will accomplish. He trusts the Father more than He fears the outcome.

Standing at Garabandal Station 01, I realize: not every silence is weakness. Sometimes, silence is the loudest way God speaks.

“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” — St. Francis of Assisi

I imagine Mary standing behind me or someplace in the crowd the mystery of this first station and Mary's silence. She is not just a mother in pain but as a disciple who trusts.

Mary wasn't protesting or arguing to try to change the outcome she was passive. Her silence was active with prayer and surrender asking the Father for strength. Remember, she already said yes to God.

There was a time when I would try to fix things with words like explaining, defending or justifying my actions. Mary has taught me another way, to be still, try to remain in love. Bring the situation to Jesus and wait, watch the outcome in His time.

Mary's silence was not weakness — it was a sacred act of fidelity.

• Have I ever stayed silent out of fear of rejection?
• Do I quickly judge others without seeking to understand?
• How can I let go of needing to explain or defend myself?

🌄 A Place That Still Whispers His Name

Garabandal still feels like a place holding a message — waiting for hearts that will listen. And this station, the moment when the innocent is condemned, holds that message clearly: the world may reject truth, but truth is never defeated.

Jesus’ condemnation wasn’t a loss, it was the beginning of the greatest victory. And just like the Blessed Mother warned, the world will always face a choice: to follow comfort, or to follow Christ. 

Garabandal Station 01 is not only the start of His journey — it can be the start of mine, too. A step away from silence driven by fear, and into silence filled with faith. A new beginning in the mountains, under Mary’s gaze, where even the quiet stones seem to speak His name.