Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blessed and dedicated a new statue depicting Jesus’ love for the homeless outside of Catholic Charities USA’s Alexandria headquarters Aug. 9.
The latest work of famed Christian sculptor Timothy Schmalz is entitled “Hold It Together,” and shows Jesus lovingly embracing a homeless person.
“Pray God, that as people walk by the street, even if just for a moment, they see the Lord there saying, ‘I want to embrace you in my love and mercy,’ that they will turn to him and find the strength that they need,” Bishop Burbidge said moments before the blessing.
Dominican Sister Donna Markham, retiring president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, expressed her hope that the statue prompts passersby to contemplate how to help their neighbors in trouble of one sort or another. The sculpture’s location between CCUSA’s office and the U.S. district courthouse nearby was, she said “another whole reminder to us to be very conscious of the work of justice connected to compassion and mercy.”
Schmalz said his latest piece can inspire people to help their fellow man. “I hope this sculpture becomes a symbol of the compassion of encounter with persons living on the margins that are at the core of the ministry of Catholic Charities,” he said.
Schmalz’s work can be found around the world, including at the Vatican. Last year, “Angels Unawares,” a Schmalz sculpture that depicts migrants seeking a home was blessed and dedicated by Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory at The Catholic University of America.
“This is a beautiful statue that has been created to help make visible the love of Christ for the vulnerable, for the poor, and certainly a beautiful image of the work that Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Arlington does throughout our diocese and here in Alexandria,” said Stephen Carattini, president and CEO of diocesan Catholic Charities. “We know that our Lord wants to embrace us, and he does bring us into the fold. We see this through the work of our staff and volunteers each and every day, extending that loving embrace of Christ to all who come to us for care and for help.”
