Visitors stepping into McDonough Chapel at Saint Xavier University are now greeted by a new and striking presence: a hand-carved statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, created specifically for the university and believed to be unique within the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The statue, which will remain permanently in the chapel, was carved from a single piece of aspen by New Mexico artist Rhonda Crespin, a Santera whose work draws from centuries-old traditions of Spanish colonial religious art. Crespin spent several months shaping the figure by hand, mixing her own paints and praying throughout the carving and finishing process, according to university officials.
The commission was initiated by Jenny DeVivo, OblSB, Ph.D., Saint Xavier’s vice president for Mission and Heritage, after a visit to Santa María de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque exposed her to the depth and expressiveness of Spanish colonial sacred art. She said the statue reflects both artistic craftsmanship and spiritual intention.
“Knowing the great devotion and love of Our Lady of Guadalupe by so many on our campus, it is my hope that this image will be an inspiration and a source of comfort,” DeVivo said.
Crespin’s work has appeared in museums and private collections across the Southwest, but the Saint Xavier statue holds special distinction. The university believes it is the only hand-carved representation of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Chicago archdiocese.
The installation also carries historical meaning for the university’s founders, the Sisters of Mercy. Catholic tradition holds that Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego on Dec. 12, 1531. Three centuries later, on the same date in 1831, Catherine McAuley and two companions professed their vows, marking the beginning of the Sisters of Mercy.
“It brings two foundational moments together in a very tangible way,” DeVivo said.
McDonough Chapel, located at 3700 W. 103rd St., is open to faculty, staff and students for prayer and reflection during weekday business hours. Members of the public are also welcome to visit the statue during those times.
University leaders say the statue is intended to serve as both a place of prayer and a reminder of Saint Xavier’s mission and heritage, offering a quiet space for reflection within the campus community.