From the Archives: The History of Our Sacred Heart Statue
June 19 is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart is one of the most revered symbols in Catholicism, representing Christ’s love for mankind through His sacrifice on the cross for human sin. Christ’s suffering is portrayed in the Sacred Heart with a knife piercing it and a crown of thorns surrounding it.
The Basilica of Saint Mary is blessed with a wonderful statue of the “Sacred Heart Pleading,” located in the south transept of the church, to the right of the altar. At Christmas, a large stable and crèche have been erected in that niche for many decades. On Holy Thursday, the Blessed Sacrament is reserved there. All under the protection of the Sacred Heart.
Carved in 1893, this Italian Carrera marble masterwork was commissioned for the Diocese of Albany, NY, where it remained in the Church of Saint Mary until 2010. It follows the devotional form developed by Frances Margaret Taylor, an Anglican convert to the Catholic Church, known in religious life as Mother Magdalen of the Sacred Heart (1832-1900). Similar images of the Sacred Heart Pleading gained great popularity in Europe and the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Donated by a Saint Mary parishioner, the statue was restored and placed in our Basilica during 2010-2011 renovations. On July 1, 2011, it was dedicated by Father Daniel Hanley, then parochial vicar at Saint Mary, during the pastorate of Father Dennis Kleinmann (Pastor 2000-2015).
– Adapted from the Questionnaire and Supporting Exhibits Concerning the Origin, History and Religious Activity of the Church of Saint Mary, submitted to Rome to obtain the title of Minor Basilica
Throughout 2020, the Basilica of Saint Mary will present “From the Archives.” It is a weekly feature online and in our bulletin spotlighting the history of the parish. All of our “From the Archives” features are located here.