“Our Lady, Mother of the Church” the inscription declares. This statue stands as a testament to faith and community. The St. Mary Statue arrived from Italy after Pentecost in 2018. Artist Alexander Kostner carved it. The San Diego diocese commissioned it. The statue honors the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Francis designated the Monday after Pentecost as a day to honor her as Mother of the Church. She is a model for all Christians.
Standing before the St. Mary Statue, you’ll notice the figures beneath her mantle. To her right, there is St. Joseph, Venerable Augustus Tolton, St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Pio of Pietrelcina. St. Joseph embodies fatherly protection. Venerable Augustus Tolton was the first African American priest in the U.S.. St. Teresa of Calcutta represents compassion. St. Pio of Pietrelcina was an Italian Franciscan priest. He lived in the early 20th century.
On the left side of the St. Mary Statue, you will see more figures. There is St. John Vianney. He is the patron of parish priests. Pope St. John Paul II embodies leadership. St. Faustina holds the Divine Mercy image. St. José María Robles was a Cristero martyr of Mexico. These figures represent diverse aspects of the Church.
Look closely at the children at the front. They represent the cultural communities designated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. They represent Asian-Pacific Islanders, Euro Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. The children symbolize the inclusive nature of the Church.
The St. Mary Statue was originally planned for Pentecost. It is now used in diocesan events. The statue serves as a visual representation of the Church’s universality. It is a reminder of the importance of faith.