IN A HUMBLE memorial park in Metro Manila is an object that can be part of the country’s Catholic heritage, even if it was not meant to be.
Tucked in one of the deepest parts of that memorial park is an authorized copy of Michaelangelo’s La Pieta, which is part of the mausoleum of the family of a former senator who in turn was the son of one of the country’s industrialists.
A grandson of the former senator said that La Pieta inside his family’s mausoleum is one of the three completed copies of the original one found in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The original was completed in 1498 or 1499.
To create the authorized replica, the molds for the original La Pieta had to be used and the fourth generation of Michaelangelo’s family still possessed the molds. Also, only the best artists were tapped to do the job.
“The original molds to create the replica were in the hands of the fourth generation of Michaelangelo’s family, and that were needed to create the authorized copy. It was made from one whole marble block,” the grandson of the senator said.
And anyone who sees the La Pieta in the family’s mausoleum will immediately be stunned by its almost perfect execution. Moreso, those who have seen the original in the Vatican will swear that the authorized copy in the Philippines captures the authenticity of the original.
“I have seen the original one in the Vatican, and the one at the mausoleum looks exactly like the original, the grandson of the senator said.
The La Pieta features Mother Mary seated and her son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, on her lap lifeless, and is meant to communicate the suffering Jesus had to undergo to save humanity from sin. The authorized copy captures this vividly.
The authorized copy has been in the family’s mausoleum for more than four decades, and is hardly visited as it is not visible at plain sight.
Asked if it is possible for Christians to visit the La Pieta located in one of Metro Manila’s memorial parks, he said it is possible. However, since it is located in a mausoleum, which is private property and is not as big as a church, small crowds may be allowed.
And for the next decades, the third authorized copy of Michaelangelo’s Le Pieta will remain there in the caring hands of the former senator’s family, while remaining a “Hidden Gem” of the country’s Catholic heritage.
