THE CHURCH AND THE STATUE
ST SAVIOUR'S DOMINICAN CHURCH AND THE NEW PADRE PIO SCULPTURE [GLENTWORTH STREET LIMERICK MAY 2018]
A Tale of Old and New: St Saviour's, Limerick
Glentworth Street in Limerick is home to a real architectural gem, St Saviour's Dominican Church. On a recent visit, I was captivated not just by its beautiful Gothic-style stone facade, but by the powerful story of its recent past.
For centuries—almost 800 years, in fact—this church was the spiritual home of the Dominican friars. Their presence was woven into the very fabric of Limerick. However, as I learned, that long chapter came to a close. In July 2016, facing declining numbers, the friars held their final mass and bid farewell to the city, a truly momentous and poignant event.
You might expect to find the church closed, a relic of a bygone era. But that's where the story takes a wonderful turn.
Just a month later, in August 2016, St Saviour's was given a new lease of life. An American order of nuns, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee, arrived to take over the administration of the parish. It's a fantastic story of continuity, ensuring the Dominican ethos and the church's doors remain open for the community. The warmth and energy they have brought are said to be truly remarkable.
The Statue of Padre Pio
One of the most striking features is found just inside the gates, in the churchyard, before you even enter the building.
This is 'I Absolve You', a work by the Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz. It was officially unveiled here on Friday, 25th May 2018. (I was lucky enough to photograph it the very next Tuesday, when it had been in place for only four days!)
It depicts St Padre Pio, the revered Italian saint, doing what he was most famous for: hearing confession. But it has a profound interactive element. On one side, Padre Pio leans towards the confessional screen. On the other side is a small bench, inviting you to sit as the penitent. When you look through the screen, you don't see the priest—you see the face of Jesus.
It's an incredibly moving piece of art, a "visual sermon" as the artist calls it, portraying the belief that it is Christ who ultimately grants absolution. Whether you are religious or not, the artistry and the depth of feeling it conveys are undeniable. It's a must-see, and a perfect place for quiet contemplation right in the city centre.
A Tale of Old and New: St Saviour's, Limerick
Glentworth Street in Limerick is home to a real architectural gem, St Saviour's Dominican Church. On a recent visit, I was captivated not just by its beautiful Gothic-style stone facade, but by the powerful story of its recent past.
For centuries—almost 800 years, in fact—this church was the spiritual home of the Dominican friars. Their presence was woven into the very fabric of Limerick. However, as I learned, that long chapter came to a close. In July 2016, facing declining numbers, the friars held their final mass and bid farewell to the city, a truly momentous and poignant event.
You might expect to find the church closed, a relic of a bygone era. But that's where the story takes a wonderful turn.
Just a month later, in August 2016, St Saviour's was given a new lease of life. An American order of nuns, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee, arrived to take over the administration of the parish. It's a fantastic story of continuity, ensuring the Dominican ethos and the church's doors remain open for the community. The warmth and energy they have brought are said to be truly remarkable.
The Statue of Padre Pio
One of the most striking features is found just inside the gates, in the churchyard, before you even enter the building.
This is 'I Absolve You', a work by the Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz. It was officially unveiled here on Friday, 25th May 2018. (I was lucky enough to photograph it the very next Tuesday, when it had been in place for only four days!)
It depicts St Padre Pio, the revered Italian saint, doing what he was most famous for: hearing confession. But it has a profound interactive element. On one side, Padre Pio leans towards the confessional screen. On the other side is a small bench, inviting you to sit as the penitent. When you look through the screen, you don't see the priest—you see the face of Jesus.
It's an incredibly moving piece of art, a "visual sermon" as the artist calls it, portraying the belief that it is Christ who ultimately grants absolution. Whether you are religious or not, the artistry and the depth of feeling it conveys are undeniable. It's a must-see, and a perfect place for quiet contemplation right in the city centre.