Photo by Kristin Heyer
A replica of Angels Unawares, the bronze sculpture installed in the Vatican鈥檚 St. Peter鈥檚 Square to commemorate the 105th World Day of Refugees and Migrants, will grace the outside of O鈥橬eill Library throughout the month of November, according to Melodie Wyttenbach, executive director of the Barbara and Patrick Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College.
The 20-foot-long, 12-foot-high, and 3.8-ton reproduction depicts raft-bound migrants and refugees representing diverse cultures and historical crises. Portrayed among the 140 figures are a Jew fleeing Nazi Germany, a Syrian departing that country鈥檚 civil war, a Pole escaping the communist regime, a Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, an Irish boy escaping the potato famine, and the Holy Family of Nazareth. At the sculpture鈥檚 center, angel wings are visible, alluding to the sacredness of the migrant and refugee.
The sculptor, Timothy Schmalz, whose work often illustrates the care and comfort of the disenfranchised鈥攊ncluding a sculpture that depicts Jesus as a homeless person鈥攚as commissioned by Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., the undersecretary of the Migrants and Refugee Section of the Vatican鈥檚 Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Among the refugees represented on the boat are the cardinal鈥檚 parents, who immigrated to Canada from Czechoslovakia, and Mother Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants. 聽
Melodie Wyttenbach
The sculpture's name is derived from the New Testament鈥檚 Hebrews 13:2: 鈥淒o not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.鈥�
鈥淗osting this beautiful sculpture, which captures all nations and religions over a span of historical periods, demonstrates the overwhelming impact that migration has had on humanity,鈥� said Wyttenbach. 鈥淎rtwork can serve as a virtual ambassador for our faith and as Christians this statue calls us to act and consider ways we are one humanity.鈥�
The Roche Center has organized a series of multidisciplinary events to offer opportunities for discussion and deeper engagment on topics related to immigration, refugees, migrants, and calls to action. Highlights include:
- November 2: Social Justice Through Art: Inspired by Faith, Committed to Action
A virtual panel discussion with Angels Unawares sculptor Schmalz and 51茶馆 faculty members Sheila Gallagher and Patricia Riggin.
- November 5: Al encuentro de Dios en la frontera (presented in Spanish)
A talk by 51茶馆 School of Social Work Assistant Professor Alejandro Olayo-M茅ndez, S.J., about life on the border in the U.S.
- November 12: Stand Together
A conversation between School of Theology and Ministry Dean and Professor Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., and Daniel Corrou, S.J., regional director for Jesuit Refugee Service in the Middle East and North Africa.
- November 13: Human Rights of Migrants and Refugees: An Examination of Legal & Christian Ethics
Boston College Law School faculty Daniel Kanstroom and Mary Holper and Kristin Heyer of the Theology Department explore the intersection of human rights and Christian ethics.
- November 17: Refugees and Migrants
Cardinal Czerny will discuss with Professor of Theology Kristin Heyer and 51茶馆 School of Social Work Assistant Professor Alejandro Olayo-Mendez, S.J., his work with Pope Francis on issues surrounding refugees and migration around the world, particularly in the age of COVID-19.
- November 18: Pecha Kucha: Exploring the Intersection of Migration and Education
The Lynch School of Education and Human Development Dean Stanton Wortham and faculty members Gabrielle Oliveira,聽Martin Scanlan, Cristina Hunter, and Andr茅s Castro Samayoa will share their research and engage in conversation on the intersection of immigration and education.
- November 24: The Historical Racialization of Migrants and Catholic Social Teaching's Response
51茶馆 Law School Dean Vincent Rougeau, Associate Professor of History Arissa Oh, and STM Associate Professor Hosffman Ospino will explore ways the racialization of migrants and refugees has occurred and factors that systematize such racism.
Faith-focused activities this month will include special intentions at Candelight Masses, Faith Feeds discussions, prayer ribbons, and a special Agape Latte on November 17 with 51茶馆 Jesuit Fr. Quang Tran, who will talk about his family's journey from Vietnam to the United States.
For event times and registration information, visit the Roche Center for Catholic Education website.
Pope Francis unveiled the original Angels Unawares sculpture on September 29, 2019鈥攖he first time in 172 years that a new monument was erected in St. Peter鈥檚 Square. Remarking that migrants and refugees are shown 鈥渋ndifference鈥� in the world鈥檚 most economically advantaged countries and are 鈥渙ften looked down upon and considered the source of all society鈥檚 ills,鈥� Pope Francis said Angels Unawares should 鈥渞emind everyone of the evangelical challenge of hospitality.鈥�
According to Cardinal Czerny, the impetus for the statue came from the 鈥渟trong urging of Pope Francis to remember the excluded, neglected, thrown away, the poor and disenfranchised who occupy the periphery of society.
鈥淚 do hope that the sculpture will trigger discussion, dialogue, and honest reflection on why some people treat others in ways that they themselves would not want to be treated and the very opposite of how their parents or ancestors were treated.鈥�
The original sculpture was funded by the Rudolph P. Bratty Family.聽
Following its yearlong tour across the U.S., with stops in South Bend, Ind., and San Antonio, Texas, the Angels Unawares replica will be permanently installed at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
University Communications | November 2020