Be a Saint of Mercy: Be a window of Mercy like Saint Mary, the Mother of Mercy

I have always appreciated the artistic imagery used by the artist who carved the wonderful wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary that adorns the back left corner of our church sanctuary.

I encourage you to pause for a minute at the Mary statue next time you’re at St. Pius X Church.

My understanding is that our statue of Saint Mary (along with the statue of Saint Joseph and the Stations of the Cross plaques) was purchased through a Wisconsin artisan group known as Inspired Artisans, under the coordination of Mr. Kenneth Griesemer. The statue itself was carved out of a combination of Linden wood, Oak wood and Corian. It is a simple, but strikingly beautiful statue.

In spending some personal time before our Mary statue during this Year of Mercy, I’ve come to believe the artists involved in its design and form were trying to reveal to us a very important truth about the Virgin Mary and her role in our Catholic Faith.

In case you haven’t really noticed the statue, here is my personal description…

Saint Mary stands naturally poised, balancing on both feet, her left foot slightly bent, her body slightly leaning in the same direction. She’s wrapped in a simple robe, wearing a nondescript veil that loosely flows from her head, covering her hair and shoulders. Mary’s right hand is gentle placed against her tender heart, while her left hand gently stretches away from her body, directing any onlookers to the altar and tabernacle. Her head is slightly bowed into her chest, with a humble look of honor on her face. Mary does not smile. She is not the focus of the sculpture…she is all about revealing something other than herself to those that see her.


Saint Mary’s message throughout all of Christian history has been consistent and our Mary statue does not deviate from her grand purpose…to direct all that encounter her to her Merciful Son, Jesus Christ. This is precisely the truth that Saint Mary and her statue’s sculptor offer us when we gaze upon the statue in our church sanctuary.


Saint Mary, ever humble in the task that she has been given, stands yearning for each of us to follow the direction of her extended left hand, forever directing us to that which is ever greater than herself, Jesus. The humility and honor by which she directs our attention is no mistake. Saint Mary knows her calling and lives it perfectly. She becomes a window through which you and I see, encounter, and ultimately follow Christ!

This is the beauty of Mary’s companionship during the Year of Mercy.

You and I are called to join Mary in being a window to Christ. As we’ve read about the many Saints of Mercy this year in this blog, we begin to see that the saints all reveal something greater than themselves - they reveal Jesus Christ to the world. And of them all, saint Mary does it the best… because her will is always perfectly aligned to the will of her Son, Jesus.