New Cathedral Statue Recalls Wife of Blessed Karl
Bishop Roger J. Foys of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, blessed and dedicated 24 new statues and two tympana for the façade of Covington’s St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption on Sunday, June 6, 2021. Executed in Bedford limestone, world-renowned ecclesiastical artist Neilson Carlin was commissioned to design each of the statues that honor the Diocese of Covington’s parishes and institutions. Among the new statues is one of St. Elizabeth of Hungary that bears the likeness of Servant of God Zita of Bourbon-Parma, the last Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary, and wife of Blessed Karl.
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For over two years, Fr. Jordan Hainsey and Fr. Joey Shelton of the Diocese of Covington worked closely with artist Neilson Carlin on the design of each of the 24 statues and two tympana from gesture to iconography. The face of each statue was of central importance as the designs developed.
Given Fr. Hainsey’s work with the Gebetsliga as the USA / Canada Webmaster, the Diocese of Covington and Fr. Hainsey wished to honor Empress Zita, the wife of Blessed Karl, in a special way. When it came time to model the face for the St. Elizabeth statue, artist Neilson Carlin drew inspiration from photographs of Empress Zita from the Gebetsliga Archive.
Known for a life of prayer and dedication to the poor, the statue of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is shown in the royal robes and crown of a Hungarian princess. Her left hand offers bread, while a bouquet of roses recalls a miracle from her life. Devoted to caring for the sick, the aged, and the poor, she died in the mid-13th century. Dedicated to her patronage, St. Elizabeth Healthcare has been at the service of the Diocese of Covington and Northern Kentucky since 1861, and has grown into a network of seven hospitals.
The statue of St. Elizabeth is located in the North buttress niche of the Cathedral Basilica façade, complementing three other buttress niche statues.
To learn more about St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, click here.