The Risen Christ Statue

Cathy Nolan

Published October 10, 2017

The Risen Christ Statue last night as the sun was setting

J.M.J

October 11, 2017

Dear Family of Mary!

Yesterday I spent some time at the Risen Christ Statue which is behind St. James in a large area set aside for prayer. This statue is huge, made of bronze and depicts Jesus at the moment of resurrection, still in the Cruciform. Pilgrims line up to venerate this image of Jesus, Risen from the dead. But as you can see in this picture, the only accessible part of Jesus’ body is his legs and feet from the knees down.

But there is more to this statue. Not long after if was installed, pilgrims noticed a clear liquid flowing from the knee of Jesus’ right leg. This liquid has been flowing, drop by drop for many years now. People collect the liquid on little napkins, on articles of clothing, or just anoint themselves with is.

As you can see, there is an urge to just lean against Jesus, to just rest on Jesus, when you are near it. I have always felt drawn to just rest my head on Jesus’ leg, like a child with his father, just embracing him around the legs!! It just feels like that, so much peace.

Some have wondered if the liquid that flows from Jesus’ knee might have a connection with something that happened during His Crucifixion. We know that Our Lady stayed near the Cross of Christ throughout His Passion. She could not be torn away from her Son. In fact the artist who created the stained glass windows in St. James Church in Medjugorje, created this window depicting the Crucifixion.

Our Lady is embracing Jesus’ legs, the only part of His body she could reach. Her tears would have rolled down His legs much like the liquid is rolling down the legs of the statue. Could this mysterious liquid by Our Lady’s tears of love for her Son, shed for our sake, for our deliverance from sin and death? It could be.

All I know is that the Risen Christ Statue draws me, calls me to come close and to hug Jesus’ legs, to lean against Him, to rest on Him, to be quiet with Him, to stay a child with Him, and to love Him. I am very grateful to the artist whose inspiration created this statue that now is blessing thousands of pilgrims in Medjugorje, one at a time.