Meticulous Detail in Custom Our Lady of China Statue Captures Catholic Tradition

Not long ago, we experienced the great joy of designing an Our Lady of China statue for the Chinese parishioners of the recently renovated Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Manhattan. St. Therese of Little Flower Chinese Catholic Parish noticed our work and approached us to create a similarly meaningful image for their community in Chicago's Chinatown. Liturgical Designer Rolf Rohn and Designer Maria Hubbard collaborated with George Lee and Father Francis Li from the Archdiocesan Center for Chinese Apostolate to develop the statue.

They sought to honor an image reflecting elements of the early Chinese kingdom while expressing Blessed Mother's love in presenting her child to her people. Every detail was carefully considered in this statue. Our Lady of China wears an empress dress and hat with a carved Phoenix and metal halo, similar to existing Catholic statues in the church. Her inner dress, embellished with gold leaf accents, also features the delicately painted bird. At that time, only women were permitted to wear images of the immortal Pheonix. She holds baby Jesus, clad in a traditional yellow costume reserved for emperors, along with a Mandarin-style hat with two dragons and a Mandarin symbol. Jesus's left hand grasps his mother’s little finger as an infant would, while he extends a blessing with his right hand. It was essential that Our Lady’s face be smiling and turned slightly to Jesus.

This Our Lady of China was inspired by Chinese painter John Lu Hung Nien's iconic image, but we aimed to incorporate more realistic attributes that were less stylized than his painting. Maria completed several studies (drawings) before starting the statue's design, ensuring it merged the client's vision with these intricate details. The entire design development process spanned six months. It began with early black-and-white conceptual art, progressed to color, and culminated in the realization of a small clay model before the life-sized carved wooden statue was produced.

Rolf, Father Li, and two other parishioners handled the unloading and installation of the statue into its temporary shrine.