The first ever Vatican approved re-creation made from a mold of Michelangelo’s Pieta will be unveiled Dec. 14 during the 4 p.m. Mass at Bishop Alemany High School (11111 Alemany Drive, Mission Hills), presided over by Bishop Jerald Wilkerson. The recreation comes as a donation from Richard G. Stewart and family.

“What a blessing to have one of the most magnificent art pieces in history come to our chapel, when I first heard it, I couldn’t believe it,” said David Chambers, newly appointed principal. 

Arte Divine, founded by David Newren, has cast Michelangelo’s Saint Peter’s Pietà using a Vatican- authorized mold of the original marble sculpture in St. Peter’s Basilica.

“It is the Mission of Arte Divine and The Vatican Observatory Foundation to bring this monumental masterwork to 112 permanent locations, Catholic cathedrals, churches, hospitals and academic settings around the world and thereby touch the souls of millions of the faithful that will never have the opportunity to travel to stand before the world’s most divinely inspired masterwork that is Michelangelo’s Pietà,” Newren said.

The 112 Vatican authorized castings of the marble statue were financed by Southland entrepreneur Richard G. Stewart and his wife of 48 years, Esther Fresquez Stewart. Richard G. Stewart is the CEO of Help Worldwide (www.helpwwinc.com), a humanitarian organization that benefits charities through loyalty programs, as well as Chairman of the Board of WorldPriest INC. North America (www.worldpriest.com). Richard and Esther plan to donate 11 Pietas starting with Bishop Alemany, then Esther Fresquez’s family church in Soccoro, Texas followed by Richard’s family church in Rome, New York, where he served as an altar boy.