The Deacon's Bench
From Vatican News:
“Angels Unawares” is a life-size sculpture in bronze and clay, that depicts a group of migrants and refugees from different cultural and racial backgrounds and from diverse historic periods in time.
The figures stand together, shoulder to shoulder, huddled on a raft. Within this diverse crowd of people, angel wings emerge from the centre, suggesting the presence of something sacred among them. In fact, the sculptural work interprets the belief that the sacred is to be found in the stranger, in this case, in refugees and migrants.
The inspiration behind the work is taken from a biblical passage, St Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”. (Hebrews 13:2)
The presence of the sculpture in St Peter’s Square is meant to commemorate the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
You can learn more about the artist, Timothy Schmalz at his website. He also contributed to my book “The Busy Person’s Guide to Prayer,” offering his reflections on work as prayer.
But he may be most famous for two popular works that have been reproduced countless times around the world:
“Homeless Jesus”
and “A Quiet Moment”
Images from Sculpure by TPS / Timothy P. Schmalz
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