Joyful Holy Family

Bronze statues of young Mary, Joseph and young Jesus

The ‘Joyful Holy Family’ was commissioned for Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and School in Louisiana. I attempted to portray not only the boy Jesus and his nurturing, loving nature, but also the adoration and awe of his earthly parents. They knew they had a great responsibility but, perhaps, didn’t fully understand what their mission would entail.

I imagine Jesus not only learning the symbolic crafts of a carpenter and creator, but also having a deep love for nature in all its living forms. The sheep and lamb symbolize his later ministry and his influence of love throughout the world.