At the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Coconut Grove, a new art installation has taken its place among the symbols of faith and community. Two sculptures, dedicated to honoring the experiences and dignity of migrants and refugees, were unveiled on Friday, with Archbishop Thomas Wenski blessing the pieces in a ceremony that underscored the inclusivity rooted in Christian duty.
The two sculptures, "Angels Unaware" and "Be Welcoming," were donated by the Fernandez family foundation, as reported by WSVN. Reflecting a boat filled with migrants from various periods, "Angels Unaware" is a visual narrative of the collective journey of people seeking refuge and a new start.
The artist behind these evocative pieces, Timothy Schmalz, along with Miguel Fernandez, were present during the installation which also coincided with the upcoming Feast Day of La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patroness of Cuba, as CBS News Miami noted.
Miguel Fernandez, in a statement obtained by WSVN, insisted that welcoming immigrants transcends political posturing, affirming it as an aspect of their Christian faith. "We're in the same boat. We're all immigrants of some type or another, and we should see them not as threats, but maybe strangers, but strangers that should be embraced as brothers and sisters," Fernandez said, emphasizing a call for empathy and brotherhood beyond borders.
"It's a statue that represents immigrants of all types," Archbishop Wenski told WSVN, regarding the broader symbolism of the pieces which includes a replica placed in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. The significance of the statues extends to their message about the inherent worth of those who have come to these shores, both in times of stability and strife.
