La Pieta replica unveiled at Barrington church
The sculpture of Mary holding a dying Jesus in her arms now rests below an image of her own mother, Anne, in the Gathering Space of St. Anne Catholic Community Church in Barrington.
On Sunday, the sculpture's creamy white marble shined brightly as Bishop John Gorman of the Chicago Archdiocese sprinkled holy water on the replica of Michelangelo's “La Pieta.”
A Vatican-approved replica of the masterpiece, displayed in St. Anne's on a raised platform and flanked by palm trees in the church's entrance room, was unveiled during Sunday's service. The gathered crowd took photos on cellphones and digital cameras, while others shook their heads in wonder.
Michelangelo first created “La Pieta” more than 500 years ago, capturing Mary's grief as she holds her dying son. The original is on display at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and the stunning replica will be displayed at St. Anne through Nov. 2.
Bob Fallon, of the Marion Ministry of Holy Family Parish in Inverness, said the statue has already brought people peace while it was on display at his church through Lent and the month of May. Now it will be available for a wider group of people to see and admire in Barrington.
Fallon, who has seen the original, said the replica looks exactly the same.
“Not everyone can afford to go to Rome, “ Fallon said. “People who cannot afford to go to Rome can come to St. Anne's to see it. It can be life-changing.”
Nevada-based Vescovo Bounarroti Art produced the replica and coordinated the display first at Marion Ministry and now at St. Anne's. The sculpture will continue to be shown at various churches throughout the Midwest once it leaves Barrington.
Annamaria Rossi, a Vescovo spokeswoman, said other replicas are circulating in other parts of the United States and throughout the world. Each replica is for sale, but if someone chooses to buy it another will be produced and put on display.
Vescovo signed an exclusive agreement in 2010 with the Vatican Observatory Foundation to produce and distribute the sculptures, bringing Michelangelo's masterpiece beyond Rome.
The Rev. Bernie Pietrzak, St. Anne's pastor, said the statue is the image of motherly strength in the face of death. The church plans to host several prayer services in front of the statue in the coming months, including those for mothers who have lost their own children.
“The image reflects the inner experience of our lives and, I think, offers comfort and strength,” Pietrzak said.
The times and dates for the special prayer services will be available online at stannebarrington.org.