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Florida
Catholic Heritage Monument
Commemorated
When Ponce de León arrived on
Florida’s shores in 1513, he named the land La Florida, or “flowery,” in
honor of the Easter season. He initiated centuries of Spanish exploration,
settlement, and religious instruction among the Native Americans that
forever changed the people and history of Florida. The Florida Catholic
Heritage Monument commemorates Florida’s Catholic cultural heritage and
symbolizes the rich diversity of our state’s communities past and present.
The baptismal font and rosary are based on artifacts recovered at Mission
San Luis in Tallahassee.
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TALLAHASSEE...To commemorate the new home of the Florida Catholic
Conference in Tallahassee, an advisory committee envisioned artwork
that would depict the heritage of the Catholic faith in Florida, while
making a lasting aesthetic contribution to the community. Drawing upon
Catholic life in the early Spanish missions, a design was developed
incorporating elements of Florida’s rich natural and cultural history
The outline of the design is a cross measuring 7.5 feet wide by 12
feet tall. It depicts a friar, Spanish father, Indian mother and baby
symbolizing the blended families of Spanish Florida and the beginnings
of Hispanic-American culture in our state.
The baptismal font and rosary are
based on artifacts recovered at Mission San Luis in Tallahassee. Plants of
La Florida are integrated as decorative elements throughout the sculpture. |
On November 8, 2004, Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, Diocese of
Pensacola-Tallahassee, joined committee members, donors and Florida
Catholic Conference staff to bless and dedicate the monument.
We welcome your support of this beautiful expression of the early roots of
the Catholic Church in Florida. All donations are tax deductible. Checks
should be made out to the Florida Catholic Conference, a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization. Donations may be made in remembrance of loved
ones and names of donors or those remembered will be recognized.
Mailing Address:
Florida Catholic Conference
201 W. Park Ave.
Tallahassee, FL 32301-7715
Florida Catholic Conference
201 W. Park
Avenue
* Tallahassee, FL * 32301-7760
Phone (850) 222-3803 * Fax (850) 681-9548 |
