Chicago Citizen

THE MONUMENT OF MAN.

A MEMORIAL ERECTED BY

CHICAGO MAN.

The Granite Memorial to Our Lady of Grace at the Belgian-German Border.

Mr. C. Elsen, an old employee of the Parmalee Co. and a regular worshipper at St. Patrick's Church, the author of this unique monument, now informs the readers of its safe arrival on the other side at the little station of Hausfeld County, Waimes, Belgium on April 2nd. The following day the big rock in which was carved a 5 foot statue of Our Blessed Lady was drawn by four horses 5 miles into the hills to its final resting place.

The monument is in three parts, which together weigh over six tons.

It is of best Vermont granite and stands over nine feet high.

The middle stone bears the Latin inscription: "Sancta Maria ora pro nobis."

It is a present to the parish of Manderfeld now annexed to Belgium and belonging to the Diocese of Liege.

Mr. Elsen will also put in shape a little spring not far from the monument across a meadow at the foot of a little wooded hill.

The Chancellor of the Diocese has promised to take part in the dedication in the near future.

We also viewed the shipment as it passed through Liege.

The model statue which was used by the sculptor carving this monument was presented by Mr. Elsen to St. Monica's church, 36th and Dearborn streets, where it now stands on the side altar.

The Citizen congratulates Mr. Elsen on this noble act of self-sacrifice. We are informed by the pastor of St. Patrick's church that the statue cost twenty-five hundred dollars. It represents the saving of a life-time. We hope Mr. Elsen will live to see the fruits of his industry and saving and visit his native land to hear the rippling of that fountain at the feet of his splendid statue.