It was a beautiful late summer afternoon at Pope John Paul the Great High School in Dumfries last Tuesday as Father Matthew Zuberbueller, school chaplain, greeted students, faculty and friends at the blessing of the 200-pound bronze statue of the late pontiff.

“This is the last thing we’re doing on the new school,” he said. It was almost a spiritual completion of construction.

The five-foot tall statue, created by the Conrad Moroder Company in Italy, stands with arms outstretched at the entrance to the school facing the incoming road.

“He greets us with a blessing,” said Father Zuberbueller, after sprinkling the statue with holy water.

A plaque accompanies the sculpture and is inscribed with a quote the pope made at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.

“Allow me, dear young people, to consign this hope of mine to you … you are the men and women of tomorrow. The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with him in the building of the civilization of love.”

On the first full day of class, with students and teachers learning the layout of the building, it was an inspirational and moving ceremony for the man beloved by millions of young people around the world.

The sculpture, donated by an anonymous friend of the school, was installed on its brick pedestal the day before the blessing.