“Why would someone do such a thing?” asked the Archdiocese of Boston. We stand before the Jesus on Cross Statue. It stands on the front lawn of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. This place has seen both reverence and, sadly, destruction.
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross is the main church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Its story began long before this statue was erected. Bishop John Fitzpatrick understood the need for a larger cathedral in 1860. The American Civil War delayed the project.
After the war, Bishop John Williams chose the South End as the location. The South End was becoming home to new immigrants, especially the Irish. The cathedral needed money so the diocese asked wealthy Catholics for donations. Working-class Catholics formed a Church Debt Society. They donated 50 cents monthly. The diocese organized events, such as concerts and raffles, to collect even more funds.
Ground was broken on April 29, 1866. Williams named it Holy Cross after a relic: a splinter from Christ’s cross. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross was dedicated on December 8, 1875.
The Cathedral witnessed major historical events. Cardinal Richard Cushing held a requiem mass for President John F. Kennedy in 1964. The Boston Symphony Orchestra played Mozart’s Requiem. Pope John Paul II prayed with 2,000 priests here in 1979.
In July 2010, a thief stole the relic of the holy cross. It was later recovered and now it is only shown on special occasions. An interfaith prayer vigil honored Boston Marathon bombing victims in 2013. President Barack Obama delivered the eulogy.
The Cathedral underwent a major renovation in 2018. Workers replaced the oak flooring with stone. They restored the pews and updated the electrical system. Air conditioning and fire protection were added. The renovation cost 26 million dollars. It finished in April 2019.
But let’s return to the statue before us. In October 2023, a man vandalized the Jesus on Cross Statue. The damage was estimated at 20,000 dollars. Michael Patzelt was arrested. He was charged with malicious destruction of property and assault. Video showed him swinging and hanging from the cross. He broke off pieces. Both of the statue’s arms were broken. The upper arms were completely removed.
Paul Deeley’s family helped pay to restore the crucifix. Samuel Copans was one of the witnesses who tried to stop Patzelt. Copans said that Patzelt swore and said he could do what he wanted. The priest came out, and Patzelt said vulgar things to him.
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross has a rich history. It has seen celebrations and tragedies. The Jesus on Cross Statue stands as a reminder of faith. It also reminds us of the challenges faith faces in the modern world.