Loyola University Chicago to Host Angels Unawares Sculpture

 Loyola University Chicago to Host Angels Unawares Sculpture
Loyola University Chicago is hosting the Angels Unawares
sculpture on its Lake Shore Campus. Loyola will be the sculpture’s final stop on a year-long nationwide tour sponsored by The Catholic University of America and is only the second
Jesuit university to host the piece.

Angels Unawares embodies the Catholic Church’s teachings
on immigration, particularly the importance of welcoming the
stranger and celebrating the many contributions of migrants
and refugees to our society. It depicts more than 140 immigrants from across history densely packed onto a boat with the holy family. It is based on Hebrews 13:2: “Be welcoming to strangers, many have entertained angels unawares.” Through this national tour, people across the country will have the opportunity to share in its message of welcome and hope.

Angels Unawares is a second casting of a piece commissioned by Pope Francis and was created by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. The original casting was installed in St. Peter’s Square in Rome and unveiled by Pope Francis on the 105th observance of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 29, 2019. This second casting was gifted to Catholic University last year, where it was unveiled and blessed in observance of the day in 2020.

“We are honored to host the Angels Unawares sculpture on
our campus this month,” said Dr. Jo Ann Rooney, president of
Loyola. “Loyola was founded 150 years ago to serve the immigrant communities of Chicago, and today our international
students and faculty are valued partners in our global mission.
We welcome Angels Unawares as part of our 150th Anniversary observance, and the opportunities presented to reflect on the journey and contributions of migrants and refugees.”

The piece will be commemorated with a special Mass presided
by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago
at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Loyola’s Madonna della Strada
Chapel. Following the Mass, which is open to the Chicago community, the Cardinal will lead a precession to Angels Unawares.

The 3.5-ton, 20-foot sculpture will be located near the southwest corner of the West Quad on Loyola’s Lake Shore
Campus and will be installed this Friday between 9 and 10
a.m. It will remain on campus until Monday, Oct. 4.

Loyola invites the entire Chicago community to visit the sculpture. Campus visitors must follow the University’s
COVID-19 health and safety protocols, which can be found
on Loyola’s Return to Campus website.

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