Salvation Through West Harlem's Very Own Virgin Mary

About a month ago, my roommate and I spent one Friday afternoon in West Harlem looking for possible apartments to lease. On our way over to another apartment showing we had scheduled for that day, I came across what seemed to be an unkempt garden space, on the corner of 127th street and Morningside Avenue, in between two residential buildings. The garden space, however, seemed to have been unattended for quite sometime. Despite the recent dreadful winter the city just endured, there weren't many signs of plants, grass or any life having been planted there in a while. The space consisted primarily of brown dirt and numerous pieces of trash scattered around the area. What was most likely intended to be a backyard space for the apartment building adjacent to it, appeared more like a miniature trash site. In the center of the space, however, stood a small white statue of the Virgin Mary looking down with her arms spread open. The statue was placed on top of a large white pedestal made of the same material. Behind the figure, was what appeared to be either a number of dead vines that were once propped up by a tall, thin wooden post, or a dead bush with long, thin, tangled branches.

Despite its unappealing and uninviting appearance, I was instantly struck by the scene. Somehow, amidst the trash and decay of the outdoor space, the statue of the Virgin Mary gave light and a sense of character to the area. The figure struck me as something much more powerful than just a statue in a garden.

The Virgin Mary, universally known through her immaculate conception as being the mother of Jesus and the creator of Christianity. In addition to this, however, she is often perceived as a symbol of redemption among various Christians. In many cases, the Virgin Mary is said to play a special role in salvation. God made her the “Gate of Heaven”, in other words, one can reach Christ, God and salvation from ones suffering through the Virgin Mary. In addition to this, the hands of this statue are held out, downward with open palms, a position known as the position of the distribution of graces. This position of arms symbolizes how the graces and blessings that are given by Jesus Christ come through Mary. This instantly reminded of Dorothy Day’s beliefs on suffering and the religious importance of it. When one suffers, one is ultimately suffering for a greater cause. Suffering produces love and, in turn, leads one to salvation.

I couldn't help but notice the significance of the location and placement of the statue in relation to this, and the evident contrast between the desolate garden and the greater importance of the statue. The desecrated garden reminded me of some of the suffering and hardships that might have been faced by the overall neighborhood and even the actual plot of land the statue was in. The statue inexplicably gives of a greater sense of power than simply a piece of artwork and in many ways, serves as a symbol and reminder to the neighborhood and the residents of the apartment building that through suffering, and through ones struggle, one is ultimately joining Christ in his suffering, and being lead towards greater salvation through the “Gate of Heaven” and the blessings of Christ. By placing the statue in this backyard area, the residents of the apartment building are bringing salvation and divinity into their homes, and closer into their lives.