VATICAN - Tomorrow the Pope will bless a statue of St Josemaría Escrivà placed along with sculptures of Saints and Founders of religious Orders in outside niches of St Peter’s Basilica

Tuesday, 13 September 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Tomorrow Wednesday 14 September immediately after the General Audience Pope Benedict XVI will bless a statue of St Josemaría Escrivà placed in one of the outside niches of St Peter’s Basilica along with sculptures of other Saints and Founders of religious Orders. The Pope is expected to arrive at about 11am. Present for the occasion Cardinal Francesco Marchisano Archpriest of St Peter’s, Mgr Javier Echevarría Prelate of Opus Dei, and the sculpter Romano Cosci. Hymns will be sung by a choir of 80 people conducted by Maestro Mons. Pablo Colino.
The five metres high marble statue is placed in a niche on the left of St Peter’s close to the entrance to the Sacristy. It was Pope John Paul II who decided to adorn the outside of St Peter’s with statues of saints and founders of our day: St Gregory founder of the Armenian Catholic Church; Saint Teresa of the Andes, a Carmelite nun; Saint Marcellino Champagnat founder of the Marist Brothers.
The work is the fruit of 12 months labour on one block of marble. Roman sculpter Romano Cosci drew inspiration from words of Jesus often meditated by the saintly founder of Opus Dei “When I am lifted up I will draw all peoples to myself” (Jn 12,32). The artist has portrayed the saint dressed in vestments for Mass and with his arms slightly extended. At his feet there are two angels, (Opus Dei was founded on the feast of Guardian Angels, 2 October). One of the angels holds an open book bearing the Gospel verse mentioned above. To recall under which pontificates the work was started and completed the statue bears the coats of arms of both John Paul II and Benedict XVI. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 13/9/2005 - Righe 25; Parole 321)


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