NEBRASKA CITY (SNR) - A life-sized bronze sculpture of St. Benedict of Nursia was dedicated July 15 at St. Benedict Parish in Nebraska City.
The dedication of the standing portrait of St. Benedict complete the 150-year anniversary celebration of St. Benedict Parish, the oldest Catholic Parish and church building in the state of Nebraska.
St. Benedict, who is known as the founder of western monasticism, lived from 480 to 543 A.D., in Nursia, Rome and Subiaco, Italy. The "Rule of St. Benedict" became a foundation for community living in monastic orders throughout the following centuries. Benedict also had a significant influence throughout the West on civil and religious government, and on the spiritual life of Christians (Catholic Encyclopedia).
The Feast of St. Benedict is July 11 which, coincidentally, was also the day the 5 ft. 4 in. bronze sculpture arrived at the Nebraska City parish.
The sculpture was created by Nebraska artist Sondra L. Jonson of St. Jon the Baptist Parish in Cambridge. This original artwork weighs 300 pounds and stands on a 30 - inch-high pedestal made from a sandstone step used in the original St. Benedict church building. A crew of parishioners and volunteers led by Patrick Gress installed the sculpture after Mass July 14. Father Hazuka blessed the sculpture after Mass July 15.
