Jesus the Teacher statue

On Thursday, May 19, The Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of Allentown, presided at the dedication of the newly installed Jesus the Teacher statue on the DeSales University campus.

The bronze statue, standing 18 feet tall and weighing more than 5,000 lbs., is the last in a series sculpted by noted Bethlehem artist Ben Fortunado Marcune. The other statues include Mary, Our Lady of Deliverance, St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, and a grouping of Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS, and Mother Mary de Sales Chappuis.

The statue was dedicated to honor the bishops, clergy, and people of the Diocese of Allentown as part of DeSales’ 50th anniversary this year.

Bishop Barres Blesses Jesus the Teacher StatueGuests at the dedication included members of the clergy of the diocese of Allentown, members of the DeSales University Board of Trustees, and faculty, staff, and administration of the University.

Presented below is the full text of Barres’ blessing: 

Sharing and radiating the height, depth, and breadth of the Splendor of Truth is the goal of every Catholic University. 

The Catholic University’ commitment to a spirit of communion and mission seeks to integrate every dimension of the Truth in the minds, hearts, consciences, souls and destinies of its students, faculty and staff through and in Christ the Teacher and the Church’s witness to the World. 

In deep communion with the Diocese of Allentown and the Universal Church, DeSales University does this day to day, decade to decade in an inspirational, innovative and faithful way.

How fitting that we dedicate this Statue of Christ the Teacher in the Jubilee Year of Mercy since Our Lord teaches us at every moment the union of  Mercy and Truth. 

In The Joy of Loving, Pope Francis says that “All family life is a ‘shepherding’ in mercy.”

DeSales University is a family with a family life founded on the cosmic power of the inspired Word of God and the cosmic power of the Catholic Mass.

This University family has always been in steadfast service to the domestic churches of families, families that in the words of Pope Francis, “transform the world and history.”  

May the gaze of Christ the Teacher illumine the future horizons of DeSales University and the destinies of every member of its family.

 Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

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