On a crisp October afternoon, some three hundred people gathered outside the Emmanuel d'Alzon Library on the campus of Assumption College to dedicate a stunningly beautiful bronze statue of Emmanuel d'Alzon, the founder of the Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionists), the sponsors of the school. The long-awaited sculpture, a year in the making, was unveiled on Fall Homecoming and Family Weekend.

The dedication ceremony featured opening remarks by Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A., Regional Superior of the Assumptionists and Vice President for Mission, and Dr. Francesco Cesareo, president of the College.

Sr. Margaret Beaudette, a Sister of Charity, stationed at Mt. St. Vincent College in New York, was also present for the occasion. For more than 30 years, Sister Margaret has devoted her talents to art, teaching and creating original liturgical and religious sculptures in bronze, bonded bronze and fiberglass. Her work includes sculptures of Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Augustine, St. Bernadette, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Peter the Fisherman, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joan of Arc, St. Joseph and many others. Sr. Margaret's work is found in churches, hospitals and other venues across the USA as well as in South Korea, Bermuda, Haiti, Canada, and Lourdes, France.  As an artist, working from her studio in the Bronx, New York, Sister Margaret's style is uniquely her own, emphasizing traditional figurative work with clarity of line and form.

Dr. Christian Gobel, professor of philosophy and one of the organizers of a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Fr. d'Alzon that was held last May, offered some reflections on Fr. d'Alzon and education. In his remarks, he said, "true Catholicism cannot have anything to do with narrow-mindedness and obstacles to academic freedom (that would be a perversion of the word and idea of ‘Catholicism’ itself). Christian creation and salvation theology as well as any missionary work in fulfillment of Jesus’ command in Mt 28:19 aim at fearlessly universal and truly ecumenical openness towards any school of thought that seeks wisdom and truth. It is in this same spirit that d’Alzon emphasized the need for “critical thinking” and identified the “strengthening of the intellectual capacity” of his students as one of his main academic goals. It is, therefore, an essential part of the ‘missionary’ charism of Catholic education that students develop a sense of appreciation for the Catholic intellectual tradition as well as its intrinsic critical (and socio-critical) potential. They need to discover, as St. Augustine did when he heard St. Ambrose preach in Milan, that 'the Catholic faith is, in fact, intellectually respectable' (Confessions V 14,24). To promote this awareness is an indispensable – as well as promising – task for any Catholic educator, especially in present-day America, in an academic landscape which is so much characterized by religious pluralism."

The prayer of dedication and blessing reads:

"Lord, we bless you for you alone are holy, and because of your great compassion you sent into the world your Son, Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of holiness.

He sent the Spirit to sustain his newborn Church, a voice that teaches us the secrets of holiness, a breeze that strengthens and refreshes, a fire that sears our hearts in love, the seed of God that yields a harvest of grace.

Today we praise you for the gifts of the Spirit endowed on Venerable Emmanuel d'Alzon in whose honor we dedicate this sculpture.

As we gather in this place of learning, let us stand ready to expend all that is best in us in the service of the great cause of education to which Fr. d'Alzon was so committed.

May everything that is taught and learned here help our students to see themselves as they truly are, affirm the goodness of your promises for them, and open our hearts to a life of generous service to others.

May we all follow in the footsteps of the Lord, keeping before us the example of Fr. d'Alzon and grow to a maturity measured not by nature, but by the fullness of Christ.

As we carry out our earthly duties, may we be filled with the Spirit of Christ and keep our eyes fixed on the glories of heaven where you, Father, receive those who reign with your Son, forever and ever. Amen."

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Read more:
The first ‘work of charity’ - Education in the spirit of Emmanuel d’Alzon
Father d’Alzon statue to ‘sit’ as reminder to Assumption students 
Honoring in bronze