Our Blessed Mother: An Anchor Throughout Generations

by Sarah Chivers

Standing at the edge of the rectory yard on the St. Francis of Assisi campus is a beautiful, weathered statue of our Blessed Mother. Though one may pass by this statue on the way into Mass without a second thought, her storied history is one that everyone should know as she has been a part of Fr. Brian Phelp's family for over forty years.

This Blessed Mother originally graced the yard of Fr. Brian's grandmother. She heard many prayers for healing and for family over the years. Every time that she would move, she ensured that she could see Mother Mary from the window in her home. Towards the end of her life, Fr. Brian's grandmother would pray three rosaries a day, looking out at Mary from her chair inside.

When his grandmother passed away, Mary found a new home at the childhood home of Fr. Brian. Years later when his parents decided to move, they drove Mary to Fr. Brian at St. Francis where he was serving his first assignment as pastor. 

After prayerful consideration of where to place this sentimental representation of our Blessed Mother, Fr. Brian knew he had to place her where she could look out for all who entered into Mass. Parishioners will often leave flowers before her. 

Throughout Covid, Mary became an anchor for Fr. Brian, and while she served him as an anchor spiritually, he also noted that she was a physical anchor on the St. Francis of Assisi grounds. Throughout the years that Mary has resided at St. Francis, she has weathered many storms. Fr. Brian recalled in his youth that the statue had a tendency of tipping over in the wind and rain, but has noted in the past few years that even through bad storms and heavy rains, Mary has not moved an inch or fallen over. It was a sense of security that the Blessed Mother was always one to turn to.

​Over the years, the idea has been suggested to paint and refresh the weathered statue. At one point, Fr. Brian considered it, but even the artist after reviewing the statue said that it was too beautiful the way it is. It's weathered state illustrates just how many rosaries have been prayed before it and how Mother Mary hears them all.