15th May - OUR MOTHER OF FRANCE (1860)

 In LePuy, France, there is a massive rock, probably of volcanic origin. It towers almost 2,500 feet above sea level. On the very top of this huge pedestal, 

    there is an enormous metal statue of the Blessed Virgin and Child, erected in 1860. It is the second largest statue in the world. The figure of the virgin, 

    approximately fifty-five feet high, stands upon a globe; above her head is a starry crown, her feet crush a serpent. The Infant sits on her right arm, 

    His right hand raised in blessing of the entire countryside. The project to build the statue was actually initiated in 1847 with the desire to construct a religious monument 

    to recognize the area of Puy-en-Velay. In order to find a worthy model of the Blessed Virgin and her Divine Son, a competition was held having very specific requirements, 

    such as “the Child Jesus is to be depicted blessing the city of Puy without hiding the face of His Mother.” Three years later, 

    the 105 main parts of the statue and the accompanying 900 smaller pieces were transported to Puy and hoisted into position to erect the statue of Our Mother of France. 

    Once completed, its total weight was 835 tons, with 110 tons for the statue, 680 tons for the granite pedestal to support it, and 45 tons for the coating that protects the statue.




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