Stonehill College recently installed a bronze statue titled The Calling of Matthew to Follow Jesus in front of the Meehan School of Business at the college. The location seemed appropriate given Saint Matthew is the patron saint of accountants, bankers, bookkeepers, security guards, and tax collectors.
The statue is an original commission of the college, sculpted by the Demetz Art Studios in Italy. Rev. Anthony Szakaly, C.S.C., Rev. John Denning, C.S.C., Rev. Steve Wilbricht, C.S.C., and Rev. Matthew Fase, C.S.C., were involved in the design process. The team met several times with the artist to determine what the statue would look like and to review the artist’s sketches before the process began. The blessing of the statue took place on September 15, 2022.
Blessing Prayer:
Good and Gracious God, you chose Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of your apostles to share the Good News of the Gospel. Through his intercession, may we follow his example of leaving all to follow Christ in striving to make this world a more just and compassionate place. We ask your blessing upon this statue that all who see it may know your peace, strength, and wisdom.
We pray, too, for Paul G. Scarzi ’73, in whose memory this statue is given. We ask all of this in your Holy Name.
Amen.
