Norwood Statue Vandalized-This Day In Norwood History-March 27, 2005

The body of the statue, which depicts the Blessed Mother with praying hands, was covered in paint. Graffiti was scrawled beneath a plaque that reads “To Jesus Through Mary,” on the base of the statue, which stands in a garden outside the parish school.

The Rev. Stephen Donohoe, the pastor of St. Catherine, called the incident “a sad act of vandalism,” but asked parishioners to pray for whoever defaced the beloved figure. “Please pray for the person or persons who did this,” Donohoe said in the statement, released Saturday by the Archdiocese of Boston. “We are reminded never to take the gift and treasure of our faith for granted but to live it and proclaim it every day.”

He urged mercy, love, and compassion among those who might want “to get back at” the person or people responsible. Kiely recalled Jesus saying, when he was upon the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

After Mass, parishioners went outside and surveyed the damage to the statue. While much of the paint had been removed, dark gray remnants were still visible. Some parishioners placed bouquets alongside the flowers that well-wishers had planted Saturday.

The Rev. Stephen Donohoe, pastor at St. Catherine, said the statue had been outside the school “for generations” and said many of his older parishioners had taken their First Communion photos next to it. “People have been very moved by [what happened]. It’s my hope that it will strengthen their faith.”

On Saturday, the upper body of the statue was found covered in black spray paint, with an unidentified symbol painted on the base. While a parishioner who is also a contractor led the effort Saturday to clean the statue, Donohoe said experts would be brought in to attempt to restore it fully.

Donohoe also said he would be talking with students about the incident.

Shannon Connell’s three children also learned of the vandalism outside their school on social media. “They didn’t know how to process it,” she said.

Krista Cardini’s two young children attend St. Catherine of Siena School. She said her 11‑year‑old daughter was “very upset” when she found out about the statue through friends on social media.

In a tweet posted Saturday night, Norwood police asked the public for help. “Statue defiled last night at St. Catherine’s,” the tweet said. “Father is asking for prayers, but we could also use some leads. If you know something call us.”

A Norwood police spokesman was not available for comment Sunday afternoon. A spokesman for the Norfolk district attorney’s office said they were “willing and able to assist” if needed but said police had not contacted them.

Source: Boston Globe, March 26, 2005