Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Morrilton, Arkansas
The late Aloys J. Hoelzeman had the original vision for this sculpture in 1982 when he served on the building committee for the new church. He believed that the new church needed a new image of the Sacred Heart as a sign that a new era in our parish history had begun. It was his intent that his son, George, would carve the new image. Over the years, the project was put on hold, but was never forgotten. In the Summer of 2003 the idea was revived when a new phase of church renovation began. Approval for George’s design concept came shortly before Aloys passed to his reward in February 2004. The image of the Sacred Heart is an expression of the power and passion of Divine Love. Christ leans forward, turning toward those who enter the church in a gesture of welcome. His gaze always looks at the person, but also beyond them to those who are yet to come. With the same gesture, Christ sends us forth to carry His Love into the world and renew the face of the Earth. With his right foot, Jesus crushes the head of the serpent in fulfillment of the prophecy in Genesis. He leans on the beam of the Cross which in turn leans on a stone - the stone rejected by the builder which has become the cornerstone. The tree stump at the base of the Cross recalls the Stump of Jesse from which the bud shall blossom - a promise of the Redeemer. Its intertwined tendrils recalls the ram caught in the brambles that is sacrificed in place of Abraham’s son, Isaac. Christ stands on a rock - the Rock of Salvation, and emerges from behind another stone. From this stone emerges a three branched rose bush with two blossoms. Here we see a symbol of the Trinity which fully flowers in the two natures, Divine and human, united in Christ. The roses bear four and five petals for the Gospels and Wounds of Christ. Christ Himself is both transfigured and resurrected. So powerful is His Love for humanity that he has not only accepted death, but has overcome it and now lives forever.
Year: 2004
Material: Mahogany