EMMA PHILLIPS / ASST. NEWS EDITOR

CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

EMMA PIRHALA / MANAGING EDITOR

In November, the Office of the President announced that a new sculpture, named “Angels Unawares,” will be placed in the Garden of the Sky, in front of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (KIPJ). 

The sculpture is a scaled-down  replica of one by artist Timothy Schmalz. ‘Angels Unawares’ features over 140 migrants  on  a raft seeking refuge. The individuals depict various cultural and racial backgrounds standing together as one. 

USD senior Nick Phillips shared his reaction to the structure of the statue.

“My initial reaction is I think it is a very powerful sculpture and it looks very well done,” Phillips stated. “I like how the people represent different cultures and time periods. I think that it is really cool after all they are all traveling on the same boat. For the religious aspect it is a reminder to welcome strangers because they have done good things for God.”

On Dec. 18, International Migrant’s   Day,   there   will  be a  special mass and sculpture dedication. The sculpture was commissioned by Bishop Michael  M. Pham of  the  Diocese  of   San Diego.   

Bishop Pham is a refugee from Northern Vietnam. In 1980, Pham and  his  family   fled the Northern  Vietnamese  Army on  rice barges.  They made their journey to a refugee camp in Malaysia, before traveling to Minnesota and settling down in San Diego in 1985.

USD  first-year   Adriel    Reomales shared  his  viewpoint  on  the  matter.

“The  fact  that  the  Bishop is coming  to  dedicate  it  makes it seem as if this is a very important  thing  that  should  be recognized  that is happening  on our campus, whether or not you agree with it,” Reomales said. “[Regardless] of whatever your beliefs on  immigration are, the fact that a high profile clergyman is coming to  dedicate this statue is  worthy of being noted.”

The   location  of   the  sculpture has created some confusion among the student body as to whether or not there is adequate space for it. The Garden of the Sky currently includes a fountain and outdoor seating where some students study between classes. 

USD first-year Eliana Pons explained her perspective on the placement of the statue in front of KIPJ.

“I just do not know where it would  go  because   KIPJ is so pretty,” Pons stated. “I would not want it to block anything, and I love the  fountain in front of it and the  setup  so it depends on  where  it   goes.  I  am   not  sure if  it  will  receive a lot  of love if  it  is right  in  the   middle of a  huge building that people go to everyday  for  their classes.”

This    sculpture   holds   significance in the Catholic church. The original sculpture was commissioned by the late Pope Francis in 2019.

Nicolas Estrada, Associate University Minister for Liturgy at USD, explained how the statue reflects Catholic social teaching.

“The installation of the ‘Angels Unawares’ statue is such a profound expression of USD’s continued commitment to celebrating and living our Catholic Identity, particularly now as Pope Leo XIV calls upon us to embrace a ‘new culture of fraternity’ which looks ‘beyond stereotypes and prejudices’ so often held against the migrant, refugee and stranger,” Estrada stated.

In  a  written  statement, Associate Director of Media Relations Elena Gomez expanded on its genesis.

“It  began   when   James  T.   Harris III, president  of the University of San Diego, saw the original ‘Angels Unawares’ sculpture in St. Peter’s Square,” the statement read. “Harris was inspired  by   its  message,  especially how it   aligned   with   USD’s   Catholic mission and values, and worked  with  his  USD  colleagues to see if the artist would be interested in designing a similar sculpture for USD. A pair of angel wings emerge from the back of the sculpture, a reference to the Bible verse of ‘entertaining angels unawares’ by showing acts of hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2). Thanks to an anonymous donor, and the artist’s willingness to recreate this piece, the 8 foot tall sculpture will now become a reality on campus.”

This sculpture is unique on campus, featuring multiple individuals unlike any others currently at USD.  Some sculptures around campus feature religious figures, including bishops of the Catholic faith. USD first-year Amelia Echeverry explained her thoughts  on an immigrant-centered statue being placed on campus. 

“I   thought  it  was  really cool, and it looks really  well  built,” Echeverry said. “I haven’t seen anything on campus like it so I thought  it  was really interesting, USD values inclusion and there is a very  diverse student population, so I feel that  the  image of the  sculpture itself should be accepted by a majority of  students.  [However] the statue itself and the funding going toward it,  maybe  not  so  much.”

USD   anticipates the response from the San Diego community as the statue is placed next week. 

The sculpture, which features over 140 migrants on a raft seeking refuge, will be placed in the Garden of the Sky. Photo courtesy of Timothy Schmalz