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03-30-2013 10:23 AM |
Statue of Father Francisco Lopez at the Mission of Nombre de Dios.
Following a guided or self-guided tour from the Prince of Peace Church, you will cross the Michael Gannon bridge over a picturesque lake. A bronze memorial stands on the lagoon’s eastern band. This impressive bronze statue of Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, chaplain of Menendez’ fleet; celebrant of the first Mass here; and first missionary at Nombre de Dios, stands eleven feet tall on a large base. Set on fossilized coral from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, the base is made of sturdy granite of a dark green hue.
http://www.missionandshrine.org/photos/frlopez.jpg
In a diary, Father Lopez recorded the September 8, 1565 landing of Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Captain General of the Indies Fleet and Adelantado of Florida at the village of Seloy:
On Saturday the 8th, the General landed with many banners spread, to the sounds of trumpets and the salutes of artillery. As I had gone ashore the evening before, I took a Cross and went to meet him, singing the hymn, Te Deum Laudamus (Latin for We Praise You God). The General, followed by all who accompanied him, marched up to the cross, knelt, and kissed it. A large number of Indians watched these proceedings and imitated all that they saw done.
Menendez then named the site Nombre de Dios (Name of God) and set Father Lopez in charge of the Mission. Father Lopez thus became the first pastor of St. Augustine, the first parish priest in this land.
The artist, a native Croatian, Dr. Ivan Mestrovic, intended the rough texture of the surrounding area to signify the tumultuous journey taken by the Spanish to America and to memorialize those who perished on the journey. Dr. Mestrovic's statue portrays Father Lopez in priestly vestments preaching the Gospel. The statue was dedicated on April 13, 1958 with Dr. Mestrovic and his wife in attendance.
Dr. Mestrovic was Dean of Art at Notre Dame University in South Bend , Indiana when he fashioned this work. He is noted for several outstanding sculptures in many parts of the world, including the Notre Dame campus and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. Dr. Mestrovic found special significance in the passion of Father Lopez and his fellow priests to endure the journey to Florida and bring the message of Christ to the native peoples, so Dr. Mestrovic expressed their powerful story through this touching statue found here.
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