Redeemer in the Womb

Lord Jesus Christ, You took our human nature upon Yourself. You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood.

You also shared our time in the womb. While still God, while worshiped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling every part of the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary. You were our Redeemer in the womb, our God who was a preborn child.

Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the children who today are in their mothers' womb. Save them from the danger of abortion. Give their mothers the grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and soul, for their children. Help all people to recognize in the preborn child a brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb.

 

The statue below was requested by Rev. Amaro Saumell, pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church, in Crestline, California. The parish is in a small town, nestled in the San Bernardino mountains and consists of 280 families, mostly,  middle to lower income families. And yet, through their very slight resources and the generosity of the sculptor, they were able to make this statement through their Pro-Life Ministry.

The statue was sculpted by nationally acclaimed artist, Lawrence Noble. Mr. Noble had wanted to do something for the parish for quite some time. After Fr. Amaro had seen a rather trendy rendition of Mary with child, he asked Mr. Noble if he could come up with something more classic and telling of the message in the prayer by Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life. Fr. Amaro wanted something with movement and joy. Mr. Noble was more than willing and donated all his talents.

When Mr Noble asked about a model, Fr. Amaro suggested Mr. Noble’s then 15 year old daughter. While this shocked Mr. Noble, he finally agreed with her permission.

The result is this magnificent statue which depicts, for the ordinary person, the person of Mary, nine months pregnant. But for the disciple, it depicts Jesus the Lord in His Incarnation. She is slightly smiling and one can almost hear her humming as she embraces her child while walking through the “Memorial Garden of the Unborn.” It is a bronze cast with a patina or finish as shown and weighs a little over 400 pounds.

If interested in obtaining one of these statues for your parish, please contact:

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church
23079 Crest Forest Drive
Crestline, California 92325
(909) 338-9498

 

The statue was blessed and dedicated on Gaudete Sunday, December 15, 2002

REDEEMER IN THE WOMB
 

SHE STANDS SO STILL,
SO QUIET.
HER HEAD TILTS SLIGHTLY.
A SMILE CATCHES
THE CORNERS OF HER LIPS.
SHE CLOSES HER EYES,
AND PONDERS
HER DEEPEST THOUGHTS.

HER WOMB IS FULL,
IT IS HEAVY.
A NEW BORN BABE
IS COMING SOON!
HER HANDS GENTLY CARESS
HER ABDOMEN.
AGAIN, SHE SMILES,
AND PONDERS.

SHUSH! LET HER SPEAK!
SHE QUESTIONS SO SOFTLY.
“IS MY TIME AT HAND?
I SAID YES…TO YOU MY GOD,
DO WITH ME, AS THOU WILL.
                          GRANT ME THE COURAGE
TO CARE FOR THIS HOLY CHILD.”
SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH,
SIGHS, AND AGAIN IS DEEP
IN THOUGHT.
HER NAME IS …MARY.
 
 

BASED ON THE REDEEMER IN THE WOMB STATUE,
AT ST.FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI CATHOLIC CHURCH,
CRESTLINE, CA
 

WORDS BY: JOAN WILTON BROWNING
                                 12/08/03