A New Chapel for the 'Tota Pulchra' of Bethlehem

http://www.h2onews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=224445856&catid=201&Itemid=14

This most ancient part of the Church - a chapel that stands between a cross wall and a Byzantine wall - was built by Franciscans in the seventeenth century. That was before the much-needed renovation of the Church in 1882, entrusted to a Polish architect. More specifically, the wooden statue of the Madonna (Catalan art from before 900) was patiently retouched by Marek Wesolowski, a restorer from Krakow, who revived the delicate decor of the clothing.

"The halo of the Madonna's crown has also been changed. So both the top part of the altar and the statue are entirely new. It had been made of stucco colored concrete. We wanted to give this very piece to Our Lady in marble.  The bottom is where the statue of the Child was well-cleaned: above all, the gold that was tarnished…"

On June 26, vespers was presided by the Custodial Vicar, and a simple blessing inaugurated the new chapel, restored and dedicated to the Tota Pulchra of Bethlehem. It has always been the most visited place in the Basilica of Saint Catherine.

"It's the most visited part of our Church. All the pilgrims and the local people as well stop to pray. Here especially Christians come to pray in the morning, to light a candle, to pray for their intentions.
All weddings end here in front of the Madonna. I think this most of all, for locals and pilgrims will be a sign of the highest spiritual attraction... because  through Mary you always go to Jesus."

And even more, if one considers that it was in this place that Mary gave Jesus to the world…. "These Holy Places are a continual 'school of the Gospel' ",  Fr. Artemio Vitores said ... Places of faith and of deep devotion…

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