Two Statues at the Newly Renovated Cathedral Were Donated By the Basilica

Posted on September 6, 2024

The Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia, re-opened yesterday after nearly two years after renovations first began. More than 1,000 parish representatives, donors, diocesan priests, deacons and women religious attended a Mass that celebrated the dedication of the cathedral’s new altar. Click here to read more about the Mass.

To honor the 50th anniversary of the diocese and the Basilica’s upcoming 230th anniversary as a parish in 2025, our parish donated two statues as part of the renovations — one of the Our Lady and Saint Joseph. Rendered in stunning realistic detail, the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph flank the east transept window. Our Blessed Mother is shown standing atop a snake with an apple in its mouth relating her pivotal role in salvation history as the mother of the Savior, the New Eve. (“I will put enmity between you and the woman, … [T]hey will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

Saint Joseph is shown with symbols of his trade (carpentry) and a white lily (signifying virtue and obedience to God). Here, pilgrims can request intercession for themselves and loved ones. Each devotional statue was handcrafted in Italy by the fifth generation of Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 artisans in Italy.

Basilica parishioners who attended the Mass at the Cathedral as representatives from the parish gather by the two statues donated by the Basilica.

The photos below are of the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, along with photos of our Basilica priests and one of our seminarians who attended the Mass on Sept. 5, presided over by Bishop Michael Burbdige.