Through the generosity of lead donors Charles and Elizabeth Kitz new ground has been broken at Holy Cross College for an outdoor sacred space dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. This new site, to be named Our Lady of Holy Cross, is situated between North Hall and Pulte Hall with clear views and access from the main walkway and entrance to the College. “Our Lady of Holy Cross”, said Dr. Marco Clark – president of Holy Cross College, “will be a place of prayer, evangelization, and a space of encounter with the hope of salvation that Christ brings through the power of the Cross.”
Honoring Our Lady as the patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Our Lady of Holy Cross will be a place of encounter with salvation history through three sculptures created by local artist Miklós Simon. Those that enter this sacred space will view the story of salvation through works of sculpted art: the Tree of Life that was barred from Adam and Eve following the Fall (cf. Genesis 3), the new Tree of Life that is the wood of the Cross, on which hung our Salvation and Hope – Jesus Christ, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, who stands in the middle as Daughter of Israel and the New Eve who participates in the New Adam’s work of Redemption. Entering this sacred ground will allow one to discover their place in salvation history as children of God who hope in their salvation, and as children of Mary, Mother of the Church.
Featured in this outdoor space will be a new walkway from the Quad to the site, a grand plaza that can accommodate the celebration of Holy Mass, new plants and trees, and handicap accessibility. Proximately featured in the quad and walkway are stone benches that could serve as a reminder of loved ones or dedicated for a particular intention. Moreover, bronze plaques will be displayed around the site depicting the Seven Sorrows of Mary and words from Sacred Scripture made possible through the generosity of the Tom & Glory Sullivan Foundation.
We are excited to anticipate an October completion date with plans underway for a dedication ceremony and Mass in May 2024.