From the beginning, the creation of the sculpture revolved around the question “Who is to hold the cross?” We tend to see the death of Jesus through Michelangelo’s Pieta, the portrayal of Mary, the mother, holding the lifeless body of her Son. But in the reality of this journey, we are closer to the weaknesses of Mary Magdalene than to the holiness of the Mother of Jesus.
Congratulations to the City of Seguin and the Department of Parks and Recreation!
From the Seguin Gazette
Bob Thaxton | Posted: Friday, March 2, 2012 12:00 am
The Texas Recreation and Park Society has presented the city’s Parks and Recreation Department with an award designating Walnut Springs Park as a Lone Star Legacy Park.
The award presentation was made Wednesday night during opening ceremonies of the society’s 2012 Institute and Expo held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.
Seguin was represented at the presentation by Tim Patek, director of parks and recreation; Crystal Miranda, parks superintendant; Mary Jo Filip, Main Street director; and District 6 City Councilman Steve Tschoepe.
The group attended the event and then drove back Wednesday night.
Patek said the city submitted its application for the award in January and was among 13 cities that applied. Of those, nine were chosen for designation this year as Lone Star Legacy Parks.
“A Lone Star Legacy Park is a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas,” TRAPS says in its description of the Legacy Park program. “These parks have endured the test of time and have become iconic to those who have visited, played and rested on their grounds. Designation as a Lone Star Legacy is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a park.”
Legacy Parks must be at least 50 years old, designated as a public park and must meet at least one of the following four criteria: Representing distinctive design and/or construction; be associated with historic events or sites; be associated with events specific to the local community or state; and be the location of unique natural features.
Applications were evaluated by a panel of seven judges who applied points for each criterion. Points were tallied and applications with the highest scores were awarded the Legacy Park designation.
All parks designated as Legacy Parks will be featured in marketing materials including rack cards, the society’s website, public service announcements and other collateral materials. “These materials will be used to promote the parks and their communities as a part of heritage tourism,” TRAPS said.
Patek said city officials are hoping to have a plaque installed at Walnut Springs Park describing its designation as a Lone Star Legacy Park.
A few weeks ago, Terri and her husband Carlos traveled from Lubbock to Seguin. They left with “Mary Magdalene at the Cross.” Thus ending one chapter of the story “The Cross for The Road to Emmaus.” Terri will present the sculpture for the first time in February 2012 to participants in the Road to Emmaus Retreat. We will of course update this blog with the next chapter of the story.
Thank you, Terri for you are an inspiration and a blessing. May God be with you and the wonderful Carlos.
Marika and Dennis
A Closer Look
Mary Magdalene at the Cross
Mary Magdalene at the Cross
Marika with Terri the guardian of the sculpture
Terri with Mary Magdalene at the Cross
The Guadalupe Regional Medical Center chose St. Brigid’s Cross for the chapel feeling that any chaplain would do well to model their ministry after the life of St. Brigid. Much like St. Brigid, the chaplain often finds that the most sacred “chapel” is at the bedside of the sick and dying. In those holy moments it is always the chaplain’s desire to bring love, peace and comfort through prayer and faith. In the manner of St. Brigid, Chaplains often share God’s love by reaching out to the poor, to those in need and to those whose hearts are hurting.
Cross of St. Brigid
Commissioned by: Rev. Jeremy Roy
Designed and Created by artist: Marika Bordes
Assisted by: Col. Joe Saenz, USAF, Ret. and Howard Crunk
Cross of St. Brigid- detail
This third installment shows the sculpture at the very early stages of sanding.
Sculpture taking form
Front view
View of Back
View from above
First stages: Block of Mesquite
Block of Wood with Drawing
Early Progress
Hooded figure taking shape- 1
Hooded figure taking shape- 2
Hooded figure taking shape- 3
Hooded figure taking shape- 4
The road that leads us to this particular cross begins with Bob, Ryan and Dan traveling the backroads for Texas Country Reporter. One day they pay a visit to Marika’s studio in Seguin. From this interview they create and broadcast to a viewership of 1.4 million an Emmy award winning segment, “Carousel of Life.” On a Sunday morning in Lubbock, as Terri and Carlos prepare for church they see and hear a sculptor from Haiti describing her passion for creating wood sculptures. Marika’s sculptures and her words resonate with the couple.
Terri tells her husband that if she receives the call to lead a “Walk to Emmaus” retreat, she will ask Marika to sculpt a cross for the event. Before receiving the call, Terri visits Marika in Seguin. She asks her to make a cross for the “Walk to Emmaus” explaining it is a retreat to strengthen and renew the faith of Christians. The cross plays an integral part in retreat ceremonies and rituals. As a lay leader, she is responsible for providing a cross.
Not long after, Marika hears the good news from Terri; she is Lay Director for the Women’s Emmaus Walk.
With ideas from Terri, Marika prepares two concept drawings. One is a hand holding the cross; the other is a hooded figure holding the cross. In both cases, the cross is removable from the figure holding it.
Terri decides on the hooded figure.
Emmaus Cross Drawing 1 Hand
Emmaus Cross Drawing 2 Hooded Figure
The second installment will include photos of the first cuts to make the hooded figure.
November 5, 2009: In the beginning there was ..
December 16, 2009: “Plénitude” was born
November 5, 2009: Planning the first cut with the chainsaw
Sketching the outline
The initial cuts with the grinder
Taking shape
Two weeks later
Cardboard prototype of the base
First Sanding
After sanding,
sanding,
sanding …
“Plénitude” is ready for the next step
First oil bath
“Plénitude” is waxed and polished
Testing the base
First coat of primer
Final coat of paint
Polishing the marble base
December 18, 2009: Day of departure for Europe
Packing for the journey
“Plénitude” in Belgium
“PLENITUDE”
Tell me mother
That ultimate moment
We are experiencing together
what is it?
Would it be already a piece of paradise? …
My sweet daughter
You and I, because of our bonding
We are living in a state of grace.
Let’s wish it lasts forever
Because it is so called “Plénitude”
Marika Bordes
