The Sculpture of St. Stephen

This is the creation of Rev. Bro. Joseph McNally, the Principal of St Patrick's School and not an unfamiliar name in the world of art.

This sculpture has been exhibited in the National Art Gallery and in Jakarta. Bro. Joseph McNally has generously presented his six months labour of love to St Stephen's School and appropriately, on its 25th Anniversary in 1982.

This piece of work is both unique and provocative. On viewing the work, the first thing that strikes the viewer is the elongated neck of the martyr which suggests the great effort and strain the Saint is exerting to see his Master – Jesus.

The head is tilted upwards evoking the expectancy of joy and love the martyr is experiencing when he will soon enjoy the Beatific Vision. This supreme sacrifice obliterates the mundane delineations of eyes, nose and mouth.

The Saint is kneeling in supplication to his Master and his executioners – an act of total humility as he begs, "Lord! Do not remember this sin against them!" (Acts 7)

These sublime aspects have not deployed the artist from depicting the humanism of Stephen. His left arm is spontaneously behind him to protect himself from the hailing stones that were so cruelly hurled at him, and a part of his ripped garment lies carelessly across his ankles. His barred chest and protruding ribs do not suggest defiance but submission of a young, athletic but ascetic figure.

The whole effect of the creation executed in steel evokes inspiration – of the artist and his steel-like conviction that his work will inspire Stephenians past, present and yet to be, to emulate the gentleness, the unselfishness, the forgiving spirit, the belief to act courageously in what one believes is right, as did the Saint and first martyr of Christianity.

The Official Presentation of Sculpture of St. Stephen

This work of art, the sculpture of St. Stephen was officially presented and unveiled on the 5th of August 1982, by the artist himself, Rev Bro Joseph McNally. Before choosing a place for the sculpture, the principal had invited Bro J McNally to the school to suggest a site, for we feel that the artist must have a say as to where his work is going to be placed, the light and shade that will play on his work to enhance further the artistic appeal that had inspired the artist in the first place.

Bro McNally chose a site at the west wing of the school. The foliage and the part of the building together with a 1.8m high brick plinth blend naturally and create a harmonious setting to the work as a whole.

The sculpture is facing the east and the school, and these symbolically represent St Stephen heralding the dawn of each new day and welcoming every pupil to pray, work and play in a spirit of commitment and fellowship.

The plinth is a simple one, so are the plaque and the ceremony, all highlighting the simplicity of St. Stephen himself and suggest quite tellingly the eloquence of simplicity.