On Friday 27th November 2009,  this sculpture of St. Louise was unveiled in the new Marillac Disability Services Office in Melbourne.. The sculpture was crafted in blue/green bronze by Pauline Clayton.  The sculpture is two-sided, and is placed in an open niche at the entrance to the office. It represents Louise as a woman who "has made a serious decision" to step out over the edge and remain with people living on the edge of society. It also represents Louise’s compassion for the child she holds in her arms, and the figure  standing by her side. Louise’s head is held high; her coiffe back off her face which expresses strength and confidence in the Providential Mission/Vision to which she was called. The alternate side of the sculpture represents the people who aspire to work in the spirit of Louise - the Marillac staff. A man and a woman stand together with small figures standing by their sides. The same sensitivity is expressed as that of the Louise figure, and their faces look forward with similar confidence. Hands are touching and there is an expression of unity of spirit in the work; a unity which is basic to all we aspire to.

The text above is adapted from the description given by Margaret Armstrong DC on the occasion of the unveiling of the sculpture.   The full text written by Margaret Armstrong can be found on the Daughters of Charity (Australia) Site..  The image above is courtesy of the same site.

For more information on Louise de Marillac, go to the Vincentian Encyclopedia .