Despite temperatures being close to 100 degrees, on Sunday, June 5, several attendees to Mass at the Chapel of St. Basil witnessed the blessing ceremony for the National Life Monument. The massive bronze sculpture sits a few steps from the chapel's entrance at the University of St. Thomas-Houston campus. It depicts the Virgin Mary with the unborn baby Jesus at her center. The art symbolizes the sacredness of human life from conception.

"The fact that this sculpture is here is just one manifestation of how we can celebrate the great gift of his love and life that God gives for all of us. It is perfectly fitting that we have it here at University of St. Thomas," said UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick.

The bronze sculpture was created by Canadian artist Tim Schmaltz. The area where the baby rests is made of mirrored steel, allowing the visitors to see themselves in the reflection.

Fr. Dempsey Rosales-Acosta, who blessed the sculpture at a special ceremony, stressed how this piece of art is a potent reminder of the sacredness of human life and the protection of the unborn.

"This sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the unborn Jesus seeks to remind us of the beauty and sacredness of all human life. Mary is Christ's mother, the mother of God, but she is also the image and the model of the church. This monument invites us to see ourselves in the womb of the world created by God."

As a sign of reverence, several attendees placed white and yellow roses in the area where the baby was. The sculpture will remain at the UST campus until the end of June. At that time, it will visit five other locations in the United States before being permanently placed in Washington D.C. There are two versions of the National Life Monument. The other version is a life-size structure currently displayed at the Church of San Marcello al Corso in Rome, Italy.