杏MAP导航 in Slovakia: A gift from the faithful
By Lydia O鈥橩ane - Bratislava
On entering St Martin鈥檚 Cathedral in the heart of Bratislava鈥檚 city centre, it鈥檚 impossible to miss the imposing bronze sculpture which ranks among the greatest artistic treasures in the capital.
It鈥檚 entitled 鈥淪t Martin and Beggar鈥� and is placed on a marble pedestal on the right side of the nave, in the southeast corner of the cathedral.
The work, which depicts St Martin sitting on a horse, holding a sword, and bending down to a beggar to give him a piece of his cloak, is the work of Austrian sculptor, Georg Raphael Donner who completed it in 1735.
Its message of charity and mercy mirrors that of the Gospels.
St Martin has become one of Europe鈥檚 most popular saints. He came from a pagan family but became a soldier and philanthropic Christian.
It seems fitting, therefore, that 杏MAP导航 Francis, who has made the care of the poor and marginalized one of the cornerstones of his pontificate, should receive a miniature reproduction of this sculpture during a visit on Monday morning to St Martin鈥檚 Cathedral, where he will also address priests and religious.
The work, made by Francesco Ciardiello, is a gift from the faithful here in Slovakia to a 杏MAP导航 who calls us not to 鈥渋dentify almsgiving with the simple coin offered in haste, without looking at the person and without stopping to talk, to understand what he or she truly needs.鈥�
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
