Dawn Berkoski

High atop the city of Braga, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for absolving sins. It is said that if you climb the 573 steps at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, you will find salvation. Like Longinus, a roman soldier who pierced the side of Christ with a lance and later repented, and whose statue looms above the massive staircase, all will be forgiven.

I figured I should climb as many steps as I could.

Along the way, scattered in dark alcoves between towering walls, lie small chapels depicting scenes of agony and despair. The statues inside, so haunting and eerily realistic, stood out in stark contrast to the beauty of the mountain top sanctuary, surrounded by lush gardens, flowers, and the trickling sound of fountains.

I recognized the heartbroken Veronica weeping with her cloth, Simon struggling to lift the cross, the cold steps of the Praetorium where the conviction came down, but it was near the top of the hill that my heart nearly stopped.

Once again, I stared at a set of green doors. These doors were more ornate than the others, and more intimidating. Why did I keep seeing green doors wherever I went in Portugal? Was it just a coincidence?

I had to find out what was behind them.

Standing on tiptoes, I peered between the bars of the door and was confronted with the violent image of the Crucifixion. A young man on a cross, covered in blood. A shiver went through me. How cruel the world, how much suffering. Surely this wasn’t a glimpse of salvation, but a window into hell. I backed away.

Perhaps the green doors were a warning.

I continued my journey. By the time I reached the church at the top, breathing heavily and in need of water, I think I understood the point of The Sacred Way, which the pilgrimage is called. I don’t know about salvation, especially since I didn’t climb all the steps, but I was filled with a sense of well-being and gratitude for life.

I started to rethink the meaning of the doors, if there was any meaning at all.

Maybe the green doors weren’t a warning.

Maybe they were a chance for redemption.

Dawn B~