The Rosary Walk to the Shining Cross

For they [the natives] saw that, after the sun had set
and the shades of night had come on, the Cross was shining
with the bright rays of a great Light which seemed to them
to keep growing until it reached up to the very Heavens.
(Fr. Francisco Palou, Life of the Ven. Fr. Junípero Serra, Washington DC, 1955

A cross stands in the hills off the bay of Carmel, a short distance walk from the beach and visible from bottom of the hill where Mission San Carlos Borromeo stands. Three years ago on our first pilgrimage in 2024, a new friend Ariel Solazano pointed it out. He told us it was the first Cross planted in northern California by Fray Juan Crespi and Captain Gaspar de Portolá on the 1790 Expedition to discover the Port of Monterey.

The Holy Expedition did not find the elusive Monterey Port on this first trip. But they planted the first cross on Carmel Bay. Every night, the natives later told the missionaries, after the sun had set, the Cross would shine with the bright rays of a great Light that grew until it reached the very Heavens. But when the light of day came, the Cross would no longer shine and returned to its natural size. One result of this prodigy was the peaceful conversion of the natives of the area without any conflict.

And so, on June 10, 2026, a large group of pilgrims reconvened on Carmel Beach to begin the Rosary walk leading to the Portolá-Crespi Cross, as it is called today to honor those 18^th century men who first raised it. The friars called it the Shining Cross.

Carmel Beach is famous for its crystal white powdery quartz-rich sand and breathtaking views. The morning air was crisp, the sun shining and our large group of pilgrims started out, startling a Carmel artist with her easel painting en plein air.

Fr. Jacob led the Glorious Mysteries for Wednesday, and the group stretched out behind him in a magnificent setting that turned minds to the wonder of God’s Creation.

Reaching the narrow pathway that led up the hill to the Shining Cross, the pilgrims began the climb. The wild flowers were blooming alongside the treacherous poison oak, a symbol of the fight against evil that man can never leave aside.

Reaching the Cross, the pilgrims sang the Credo and Veni Creator Spiritus beneath the towering Cross. Fr. Jacob blessed the Cross with Epiphany oil and salt, and each pilgrim approached to venerate it. Later, some pilgrims recalled this moment as one of the most moving of the whole pilgrimage.

To close the pilgrimage, Fr. Jacob led the group in praying The Litany for the Conversion of California & the Resurrection of Missionary Zeal.

In a profound spirit of recollection and great joy, the pilgrims descended the path, many lingering at the ocean front to inhale the salty fresh air and listen to the crashing waves as they fell on the soft white sand.

It was a genial end to a successful pilgrimage, blessed by Our Lady of Bethlehem, who so liberally gave her graces. May we turn to her, the Star of the Sea, in these chaotic and confused days and beseech her to protect us and help us to fight for her and for Holy Mother Church.

Litany for the Conversion of California &
the Resurrection of Missionary Zeal
V. God, Our Father and Creator of Heaven and Earth,
R. Have mercy on California.

V. God, the Son to Whom the Father has given all authority,
R. Have mercy on California.

V. God, the Holy Spirit, made manifest in human history,
R. Have mercy on California.

V. Holy Trinity, One God,
RR. Have mercy on California.

V. O Immaculate Conception, victorious over the evil one,
R. Protect California from diabolical destruction.

V. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, sorrowing & alone after the Crucifixion of thy Son,
R. Protect California from …

V. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas,
R. Protect California from ...

V. Queen of Angels,
R. Protect California from ...

V. Our Lady of Bethlehem, beloved companion to San Junípero Serra in his expedition to Upper California and Mother of the Missions,
R. Protect California from …

V. St. Joseph, Patron, Protector & Miraculous Provider of the Missions,
R. Protect California from ...

V. St. Francis of Assisi, called by God to rebuild His Church,
R. Protect California from …

V. Fray Junípero Serra, Apostle to California who desired to go where no missionary had been before,
R. Protect California from…

V. Fray Junípero Serra, undaunted by seemingly insurmountable obstacles,
R. Protect California from …

V . Fray Junípero Serra, ardent crusader for the salvation of souls,
R. Protect California from …

V. Fray Junípero Serra, so familiar with pain and suffering,
R. Protect California from ...

V. St. Charles Borroméo, Archbishop, Reformer & Third Order Franciscan,
R. Protect California from …

V. The Archangels St Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel,
R. Protect California from …

V. All our Holy Guardian Angels,
R. Protect California from…

V. Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.

V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.

V. O Lord, hear our prayer,
R. And let our cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, Divine Missionary sent by the Father to the fallen human race, all honor, glory, love and obedience belong rightly to Thee. Every right, favor and privilege we may now enjoy comes to us from Thy generosity through the immaculate hands of Thy Holy Mother. May she and St . Joseph guide all of us who, in response to Thy command and inspired by the witness of Fray Junípero Serra, seek to make “disciples of all nations,” teaching and baptizing them in the Spirit of Truth Thou promised would be ours after Thy Ascension and until the end of ages. Amen.

Download the novena here.

V. Our Lady of Bethlehem, beloved companion to San Junípero Serra
in his expedition to Upper California and Mother of the Missions,
R. Protect California from diabolical destruction

Posted July 6, 2026

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