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Retiree builds devotional monument in his Alexandria backyard

Mary Stachyra Lopez | Catholic Herald Social Media Coordinator

A statue of an angel rests on a railing leading to a place of devotion in Gustavo Erostegui’s backyard. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Gustavo Erostegui stands inside the door of the personal devotional monument he built in his Alexandria backyard. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Friends brought Erostegui statues of saints from Colombia, Peru and Portugal. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Friends brought Erostegui statues of saints from Colombia, Peru and Portugal. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Gustavo Erostegui built a place of personal devotion in his Alexandria backyard. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Gustavo Erostegui built a place of personal devotion in his Alexandria backyard. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ

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Inside, imitation stained-glass windows and an eclectic mix of religious items reflecting his personal style. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Gustavo Erostegui built a place of personal devotion in his Alexandria backyard. MARY STACHYRA LOPEZ | CATHOLIC HERALD

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It took seven years, working an average of 30 hours a week, but
Gustavo Erostegui has completed his retirement project: a hand-built devotional
monument, complete with statues, imitation stained glass and stonework, in his
backyard. 

The finished product — an octagon-shaped building measuring 22
feet high and 14 feet wide — is a reflection of his personal devotion to the
Catholic faith and an inspiration for amateur construction projects.  

“It’s the best decision I (have made) in my life, I think,” said
Erostegui, 73, who ran Los Amigos restaurant in Del Ray for nearly three
decades before moving on to other work. “I’m very happy to have this.”

The longtime Alexandria resident said he came up with the idea as
a way to repurpose the base of a pre-existing aviary in his yard. But the idea
quickly took on a life of its own. 

He decorated the floor with tiny black tiles. He painted the
walls a deep blue for the Virgin Mary and the wooden doors red, to represent
the blood of Christ. Friends brought him statues of saints from Peru, Colombia
and Portugal. And then there was the stonework.

“For the outside of the building, I had to crack the big pieces
of stone, one by one,” said Erostegui. It took him four months to cover one
small section of the building, placing the stones one after another. 

It was hard work, but he said he felt close to God during the
manual labor.

“I was always working alone outside, so I had plenty of time to
think of the crucifixion and the very moment Jesus had to pass,” said Erostegui,
who attends both Queen of Apostles in Alexandria and St. Anthony of Padua in
Falls Church.

After Erostegui retired, about four years into the project,
building the monument became the focus of his time. His wife encouraged him
along the way. “Always I had her saying, let’s finish, let’s do that,”
Erostegui said. “It helped me a lot.” 

Erostegui said there’s still one final touch needed. He’s waiting
for some friends to go on vacation because he would like to have a statue of
Our Lady of Guadalupe from Mexico. 

All of this hasn’t been cheap. Erostegui estimates the project
cost about $30,000. “You don’t notice at the moment, but it’s a little bit here, a little bit
there,” he said. 

Now that construction is over, Erostegui spends a few hours in
his personal devotional place every day, praying and meditating. He says one of
his favorite feelings is when the sun shines through the colorful windows. 

 “I feel at peace inside of
me. I feel totally at peace,” said Erostegui. “When you sit inside, that is
what is reflected: the peace.”

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