Outside of St. Monica’s Catholic Church are two figurative sculptures, one of Mary’s Canticle (also known as the “Magnificat”) and one of the Holy Family.

In the Canticle sculpture, the figure is placed on a stepped platform and surrounded by potted plants. Mary is draped in a tunic and veil, with her hands at her sides and slightly outstretched from her hips. The context of this devotional sculpture is Mary giving thanks that she will carry and birth the future Messiah, and exalting God through praise.

The Holy Family sculpture shows the figures of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus in a contemporary, semi-abstract style.  In the Catholic tradition, this figure group reflecting a traditional family unit of a male parent, a female parent, and a child reflects on the human nature of Jesus Christ. The group is rendered in relatively flat forms with little detail, showing the figures in profile with Mary’s and Joseph’s heads forming a circle around the baby Jesus.

Founded in 1956, St. Monica is a Roman Catholic church that is the center of one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. It serves approximately 3,000 families. St. Monica Parish is known as a diverse community, with families from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.