On May 31, St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish unveiled its nine foot, hand-carved and painted iconic monstrance of Our Lady of the Sign, Ark of Mercy during a Mass on the feast of the Visitation. Cardinal George con-celebrated the Mass and blessed the new monstrance, which is believed to be the largest in the world. The monstrance will be the focal point of the future Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Artist Malgorzata Sawczuk paints some of the details on a life-size model of an iconic monstrance on Feb. 8. The color red in Byzantine iconography symbolizes kingship and shows that Mary is honored by God and is the Queen of Heaven and Earth. The icon, Our Lady of the Sign, Ark of Mercy, was unveiled at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Chicago on May 31. The nine-foot high, hand carved and decorated, monstrance is believed to be the largest in the world. It will be the focal point of the future Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World