Crucifix, Stations, Statues Grace Oratory

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Published on Saturday, 21 February 2009 18:23

 
The interior of the Ave Maria Oratory now is graced with a large crucifix hanging over the altar, Stations of the Cross, and statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph on either side of the sanctuary. "They represent the life we strive for," said Bishop Frank Dewane before he went around the church blessing and dedicating each religious object. At left, he blesses one of the Stations of the Cross. A close-up of one of the stations is at right, below the crucifix.

The 9 a.m. Mass Saturday was concelebrated with 17 priests, many of whom were visiting along with dozens of other Religious for the university's Festival of Religious Life that started Friday night.

The installation of the crucifix (left) took all week and all the work was completed late Friday night. The crucifix weighs 3,000 pounds and is about 23 and a-half feet high and 12 feet wide.

Bishop Dewane spent the entire morning in Ave Maria, finishing up with lunch at The Bean. He greeted people after Mass and posed for pictures. Below, one of the many blessings he imparted was to the Ave Maria rugby team, which had a game Saturday afternoon.