Statues
Experience the different statues placed around The Shrine of St. Joseph.
Statues Virtual Tour
Our Lady of Fatima
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima, Portugal between May 13 and October 13, 1917. Appearing to the children, the Blessed Virgin told them that she had been sent by God with a message for every man, woman and child living in our century. Coming at a time when civilization was torn under by war and bloody violence, she promised that Heaven would grant peace to the entire world if her reqeust for prayer, reparation and consecraton were heard and obeyed.
St. Anthony of Padua
Anthony's wealthy family wanted him to be a great nobleman, but for the sake of Christ he became a poor Franciscan Priest. He is called the "Hammer of the Heretics". His great protection against their lies and deceits in the matter of Christian doctrine was to utter, simply and innocently, the Holy Name of Mary.
A gifted speaker, he attracted crowds everywhere he went, speaking in mutiple tongues; legend says that even the fish loved to listen. Wonder worker. One of the most beloved of saints, his images and statues are found everywhere. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on 16 January 1946.
He is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus, to whom He miraculously appeared, and is commonly referred to today as the "finder of lost articles". Upon exhumation, some 336 years after his death, his body was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally uncorrupt, so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it.
St. Padre Pio
Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible mark of the crucifixion. The doctor who examined Pardre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that of perfume or flowers.
Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls close to God; he would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed.
He had predicted 50 years prior that upon his death the wounds would heal and that was the case in 1968 at the age of eigty-one.
Guardian Angel
One of the most treasured beliefs held by many people is that each person has an appointed "guardian angel" to watch over them. Although the Bible never uses the term "guardian angel", there are examples of angels being assinged to protect humans. In times of peril, guardian angels are God's servants or celestrial messengers sent to rescue us.
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:10
St. Theresa of Lisieux
When Theresa was very young, she became so ill with a fever that people thought she was dying. She observed her sisters praying before the statue of Mary and did the same. She saw Mary smile at her and suddenly she was cured.
She had developed the habit of mental prayer and wanted to join the Carmelite Order but was denied because she was too young. When she and her family went to see the Pope her young age worked to her advantage. Soon after her visit with the Pope, she was accepted into the Carmelite Order.
Theresa said, "Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deed are forbidden to me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."
Jesus at the Foot of the Cross
Jesus is taken down from the cross. His mother, Mary, is holding him.
(Closeup of Jesus and Mary on next photo)
Jesus with Mary at the Foot of the Cross
Jesus' mother had to suffer the pain of watching a loved one suffer and then die.
Death of St. Joseph
This statue shows St. Joseph on his deathbed, with Jesus and Mary by his side. The mood is grave. Though Jesus is the savior of world, his family is about to taste the pain of separation.
St. Joseph is a fatherly figure who can help us prepare for and make a peaceful transition from this earthly life.
Infant of Prague Statue
His right hand is raised in blessing, with two fingers bent to reflect Christ's divine and human nature, and the other three fingers raised to symbolize the unity of the Trinity.
St. Peter Claver
St. Peter Claver was born in Spain, in 1580. While studying, he was influenced by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez to go to the Indies and save "millions of perishing souls."
In 1610, he landed in Columbia. After his ordination, he dedicated himself to the service of the slaves. He labored unceasingly for the salvation of the Afican slaves and the abolition of the slave trade.
Boarding the slave ships, he would care for the sick and dying, and instruct the slaves through catechists. Through his efforts 300,000 entered the Church. He followed the slaves to the plantations and encouraged them to live as Christians. He died in 1654.
In 1816 in St. Louis, at the church of St. Joseph, Ignatius Strecker, who was given two weeks to live, kissd the relic of Blessed Peter Claver. He was completely cured. The miracle was formally declared authentic in Rome and chosen as one of the required miracles for the canonization process of Peter Claver. In 1886 Peter Claver was declared a Saint and his feast day is September 9th.
