This statue, by Anthony Robinson, speaks of Mary in her sorrow and triumph. Mary, who stood at the foot of the cross, knew the depth of sorrow. Mary, whose son Jesus Christ rose from the dead, can today teach us of grief transformed to joy – of light after darkness.
The statue faces the site of the pre-reformation Lady Chapel, destroyed in 1540.
Who is he that stands perceiving
All the Holy Mother’s grieving,
And does not his shame express?
Who could yet, her sadness sharing,
Seeing Mary so despairing
Fail to join in her distress.
(from the Latin Hymn Stabat Mater)
Joy to thee, O Queen of Heaven, alleluia!
He whom thou wast meet to bear, alleluia!
As he promised, hath arisen, alleluia!
Pour for us to him they prayer, alleluia!
(from the Latin Hymn Regina Caeli)
*Information and quotes from the information board next to the statue of Mary
Great photo. Interesting piece of artwork. But there’s something uncomfortable about it – rather like a dementor from the Harry Potter tales: sorry, but there it is. Darkness after darkness!
The artwork doesn’t work for me either, I found it negative. It does not portray soft, gentle sorrowful, compassionate emotions to me.
I had not thought of the dementor analogy but now that you mention I can’t disagree with your thought. The statue is dark, rather than full of light.
Yes I don’t like the statue…I guess I am a traditionalist. I went to a Catholic school named Queen of Peace.
I have seen far more elegant representations.