ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Just how incredibly talented is artist Fernando DeJesus, one might ask?
The virtuoso repaired the vandalized right arm of the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Sacred Heart campus.
And, in the process, 90-year-old Jean Kurtz’s soul.
There Kurtz stood with a large crowd outside St. Luke’s on Friday morning during a rededication ceremony of the 100-year-old-plus statue, the right arm of which was torn off with a large chain by vandals in 2023.
“When I heard somebody broke off the arm, I had tears in my eyes. I shuttered and asked, ‘Why? What would motivate someone to do something so hateful?’”Jean Kurtz
The woman held a steady smile — and a cherished photograph.
“This is me at my Holy Communion at Sacred Heart when I was eight,” Kurtz said, pointing to the black-and-white snapshot. “And in the corner you can see the Jesus statue, which I love.
“When I heard somebody broke off the arm, I had tears in my eyes. I shuttered and asked, ‘Why? What would motivate someone to do something so hateful?’”
Kurtz turned toward the statue and smiled.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she said.
'Symbol of our commitment'
The ceremony included remarks from Allentown Diocese Bishop Alfred E. Schlert, who blessed the statue’s return; St. Luke’s University Health Network Allentown campus President Bill Moyer; and St. Luke's Chief Executive Office Rick Anderson.
“An important part of this statue is the tradition and history of Jesus,” Anderson said. “It stands in front of the hospital to say all are welcome to come in redemption and peace.”
"The [Sacred Heart of Jesus] statue speaks to [St. Luke’s] healing mission of providing care to those in our community."Bill Moyer, St. Luke's Allentown campus president
Added Moyer: “The statue speaks to [St. Luke’s] healing mission of providing care to those in our community.
“It is a symbol of our commitment and dedication to our hospital and the community.”
In March 2023, vandals toppled the art piece, breaking its arm.
It would take more than two years to repair the zinc-and-copper sculpture, a challenge DeJesus readily accepted — because in part of his relationship with oncologist Dr. Lee Riley, who has treated DeJesus’ wife, Jenn, for metastatic breast cancer.
“Dr. Riley does artwork as well,” said DeJesus, who traveled from Florida with his wife for the rededication.
“He called me about a year and a half ago and said, ‘We need your skills.’ It took me several months to repair the arm, and I finished it earlier this year.”
'Art has power'
A native of Puerto Rico, DeJesus repaired the arm with a Lost Wax Process, a metal casting method in which a duplicate sculpture is created from an original wax sculpture.
A mold is created around the wax model, which then is melted away, leaving a cavity that is filled with molten metal.
“It’s a process that’s been going on since the Greeks,” DeJesus said. “I’m happy with how it turned out.”
Safe to say the feeling was unanimous.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus statue was dedicated on Oct. 18, 1915, and placed at the hospital’s entrance to symbolize “all in need are welcome to receive care.”
An Italian sculptor from the Daprato Statuary Co. in Philadelphia created the masterpiece.
While DeJesus was contacted by Dr. Riley to repair the statue, the inspiration for the restoration came from former St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus President Frank Ford, who retired in December 2023.
Ford initially planned to retire in 2018, having served as president of St. Luke’s Allentown Campus for over 20 years. However, Sacred Heart Hospital joined St. Luke’s University Health Network, and he received an offer he couldn’t refuse — the opportunity to revitalize the hospital.
DeJesus recalled that among the more gratifying aspects of repairing the statue was that it took place in plain view of passersby.
“While I was working on it, people of all ages would walk by and give the sign of the cross or say quick little prayers,” he said.
“They would say ‘Thank you’ or ‘It’s about time.’ This happened two or three times every day.
“You start to understand that art has power.”
From below.
And a higher power above.
