Providing Needed 'Sanctuary'
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, designed and built by an Italian immigrant named Antonio Guerrieri, has proven to be much-needed "sanctuary" for the many thousands of pilgrims who visit annually.
Of course, the centerpiece of the chapel is the sanctuary itself. But what does the sanctuary's artwork and statuary mean?
At the top, the Holy Trinity is shown crowning Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. The statue of Mary shows her as the Immaculate Conception — the one chosen by God from all eternity to bear His Son, and preserved immaculate through the foreseen merits of Christ's death and resurrection.
The image of The Divine Mercy is below the statue of Mary — showing an unbreakable link between mother and Child. The mandorla of gold rays symbolizes the glorious manifestation of The Divine Mercy in the Person of Jesus Christ from whose pierced side God's great mercy emanates for all humankind. Below the image is the tabernacle for the reservation of the Eucharist, the Body of the Lord under the species of bread. Our Catholic belief is that Jesus is present — Body, Soul, and Divinity — in the Eucharist. The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy refers to this Real Presence using the same words.
The statues of the 12 Apostles symbolize the foundation of the Church by Jesus.
Above it all is a mural of the Lamb of God. The beautiful artwork of the sanctuary is designed to give glory to the Lamb: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing (Rev 5:12). |
