SAN JUAN – A large sculpture of the Blessed Mother embracing the still-unborn Jesus was placed June 27 in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine, marking the start of a two-month stay here. Entitled "Life Monument," the 2-1/2 ton bronze statue, with Jesus in the womb modeled in polished stainless steel, is the work of Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz of Ontario. Father Jorge Gomez, rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine, said, “Of all the places it could have gone, we are especially privileged here to have been chosen for its visit.” Father Gomez and Martin Lopez, maintenance department director for the basilica, both noted the remarkable timing of the sculpture arriving at the basilica just as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision of almost 50 years ago that legalized abortion. Almost 65 million abortions have been performed in this country since that 1973 ruling. But with trigger laws coming into effect after the June 24 ruling, abortion is already effectively outlawed or soon will be in some 13 states. The pro-life sculpture’s installation here was delayed briefly because its size and weight required bringing in a special crane to move it from the maintenance yard and into its space in the plaza at the base of the basilica’s steps. A smaller model of the statue was placed May 27 at the Church of San Marcello al Corso in central Rome, even as the full-size version went first to Houston before coming to the Rio Grande Valley. When this “colossal” version leaves here, it will go to Washington D.C., to be installed permanently outside the Theological College of the Catholic University of America, right across the street from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Schmalz, the sculptor, said his hope is to offer a pro-life message that reminds people of their own gift of life and the beauty of art to touch the hearts of those who are in favor of legalized abortion. The mirroring effect of the womb allows viewers to see themselves there, as a reminder that their lives, too, started in a womb, he said. If proponents of abortion can see the beauty in unborn life, he said, "perhaps that will be some sort of persuasion" to make them think more deeply about all human life as being beautiful. “If I can move that dialogue one step closer to some understanding and love on both sides, then the sculpture is a great tool, it's a great instrument,” Schmalz said. “You have to use beauty and love or it's just not going to work.” _______ Catholic News Service contributed to this report.