Hidden within the Igreja Maria Imaculada in Santo André lies a treasure. It is the Obras de Arte de Gianni Parziale. This stunning collection of artwork was commissioned by Frei Roberto Tóttoli. The Italian artist Gianni Parziale created it specifically for this parish. The church was inaugurated in 1992 and consecrated a year later.
Parziale’s creation comprises six remarkable pieces. There is the Via Sacra a depiction of Christ’s journey to crucifixion. The collection also features Cristo Crucificado Christ on the Cross. Another piece is Cristo no Jardim das Oliveiras Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Last Supper Santa Ceia is also part of this collection. The Resurrection Ressurreição is included as well. Finally there is the Life Martyrdom and Glorification of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
This last piece holds special meaning for the Franciscan Friars Conventual. They dedicated themselves to building this church. Maximilian Kolbe was a key figure in the Militia Immaculata. This movement was consecrated within the Franciscan Conventual Order in 1936.
Kolbe a Pole born in 1894 devoted his life to religious service. He became a friar in 1914. His missionary work and dedication to the Militia Immaculata led him to Japan. He’s best known for his actions during the Nazi regime. Kolbe was imprisoned in Auschwitz. He was executed in 1941. He bravely offered his life in exchange for another prisoner. For his religious service he was canonized in 1982 by Pope John Paul II.
Gianni Parziale born in Brescia Italy in 1936 is a talented painter sculptor and ceramist. He graduated from the Parma Academy of Fine Arts. In the mid-1980s he immigrated to Brazil. He now resides in Caraguatatuba. Among his many works he designed four Catholic churches. The Igreja Maria Imaculada is one of them.
The Obras de Arte de Gianni Parziale was created using naval plywood. Parziale used a mixed technique incorporating various materials. The theme is grounded in figurative and symbolic formality. Parziale skillfully integrated his artistic vision with the church’s architecture. The church’s design is by architects Doroti Riotto Fernandes and Giro Kimura. The artwork was declared a heritage site by COMDEPHAAPASA in February 1995. Sadly the Ressurreição originally placed on the church’s ceiling has been removed and is no longer viewable. The Obras de Arte de Gianni Parziale stands as a testament to faith art and history a captivating masterpiece waiting to be discovered.