New holy statue in St Marys a ‘labour of love’

Hundreds of parishioners gathered at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in St Marys to witness the unveiling and blessing of a two-meter granite statue of Our Lady of Fatima, sculpted by Croatian-born artist Marijan Bekic. Bekic, a long-time parishioner and renowned sculptor of "The Australian Farmer," offered the statue as a tribute to the church. The statue, carved from Australian granite, features Our Lady atop an oak tree, surrounded by the three children of Fatima and 12 sheep in pasture.

Bishop Vincent Long, who presided over the unveiling, described the statue as a “labor of love,” noting its unveiling on October 13, the anniversary of the Marian apparitions in Fatima. The statue symbolizes the parish's devotion to Mary and the importance of praying the rosary for peace.

Hundreds of people gathered at Our Lady of the Rosary St Marys to witness the unveiling and blessing of a new statue of Our Lady of Fatima, sculpted by Croatian-born artist and parishioner Marijan Bekic. Bekic, known for his famous sculpture The Australian Farmer, crafted this two-metre-tall solid granite statue as a gift to the church. The statue, blessed by Bishop Vincent Long during a special Mass, reflects the parish's Marian devotion and features intricate details like an oak tree base and the three children of Fatima.

Bishop Long described the statue as a "labor of love" and noted the significance of unveiling it on October 13, a day linked to the Fatima apparitions. Parish Priest Fr Brendan Murphy praised the statue as a symbol of intercession and protection, saying it will evangelize the community.

Bekic, who emigrated to Australia and overcame challenges to pursue his dream of becoming an artist, shared how the project was a spiritual journey for him. He was inspired by a young student's question, which made him realize that he was living his childhood dream of being an artist. The event also honored the parish's rich history and Marian connections.

Image and article credits: https://catholicoutlook.org/new-holy-statue-in-st-marys-a-labour-of-love/