WINTER PARK  |  Queen of Angels Cemetery is celebrating its fifth anniversary as the first diocesan cemetery in the Diocese of Orlando as Mary’s open arms continue to welcome the faithful.

In Phase II of the cemetery, four new Marian gardens are marked by beautiful bronze statues of the Blessed Mother: Our Lady of La Vang, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Blessed Virgin Mary Our Lady of Mercy, and Mary, Mother of Christ. The four statues were cast in Italy by Biondan, an international art firm.

David Branson, director of cemeteries for the diocese, said he selected the four Marian statues after first looking at apparitions of the Blessed Virgin outside of Europe. “To speak to the universality of Mary’s providence, passion, mercy and grace upon us is a universal and global experience and blessing,” he said. 

His obvious first choice was Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, who relates to Spanish-speaking cultures, communities in North and Central America. The Knights of Colombus and many other societies have embraced her as their patroness.

Our Lady of Guadalupe first appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, Mexico in 1531, asking “Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”.

Speaking in his native language, she asked him to tell Bishop Juan de Zumárraga to build a church there so she could give her love, compassion, and protection to the people. She emphasized her role as a mother to all, offering solace, healing and guidance to those in need. 

Although it was winter, she had him pick roses and carry them in his tilma. Upon visiting the bishop, the roses spilled out revealing her image on the cloak. The bishop agreed. The statue depicts her standing over the moon, a sign of her dominion in heaven. 

Branson chose Our Lady of La Vang next, the Virgin that appeared to the Vietnamese hiding in the jungle in 1798 after emperor Cahn Thinh ordered all Catholic churches destroyed. Gathering each night to pray the rosary beneath a tree, Our Lady of La Vang appeared to the people who were sick and hungry and comforted them. She told them to boil the leaves of a fern growing there to heal them. She promised her help to all who came to pray there.

For Branson she represents “the expansion and growth of spreading the Gospel.” Father Chau Nguyen, pastor of St. Philip Phan Van Minh Parish in Orlando said the addition of the statue was wonderful news for the local Vietnamese community. “That people have a place to recognize and be laid to rest under the protection of Mary” is  a source of great comfort.

“It is natural for us to run to our mothers when we need protection and help,” Father Nguyen said. “When we put the cemetery under those titles of Mary, we know we can trust in the protection of a wonderful mother. We beseech her intercession at every moment of life.”

Branson said Mary, Mother of Christ was an obvious choice because of Mary’s participation in the salvation of mankind. “As a young mother figure with the infant Jesus in her arms, she speaks to the fabulous story of Mary’s role of being mom to our Savior,” he said.

Deacon Mark Fry is the family services counselor at the cemetery and frequently gives tours to interested families. 

“Christ is the word for Messiah, the Savior. When you say Mother of the Savior, that’s a pretty big deal,” he said. “He came to give us that eternal hope, where we will be for all of eternity.”  Paraphrasing Pope Francis from his homily Jan. 1, 2023, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Deacon Fry said, “God’s love for humanity is made concrete through Mary, as the Word became flesh in her. And Christ continues to have a heart of flesh that beats for each person because of Mary. Our Savior has this love for each one of us. He came into the world through Mary. I think that’s very powerful.”

Our Lady of Mercy rounds out the four statues. 

“Mary is a gateway of mercy for us to our Father. It’s in her mercy and petitions on our behalf that support us in front of God our Father and through the heart of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” Branson said. “Mercy is a representation of the depth to which Mary supports us, intercedes for us, continues to be with us as we go through our daily lives. It is her mercy, being an advocate for us, that helps us at the time of our judgement.”

Deacon Mark Fry said Our Lady of Mercy is in harmony with the name of the cemetery, Queen of Angels, depicted by the crown she wears. The tallest and heaviest of the four statues, he recalled someone on a recent tour saying, “Mercy is very heavy.” Pondering the statement, he agreed. “Mercy comes to us in the heaviest moment of our lives,” he said. “To Jesus, through Mary… Everything about Mary is meant to bring us even closer to Jesus, to God.”

Our Lady of Mercy, also known as Our Lady of Ransom, appeared to St. Peter Nolasco, his confessor St. Raymund of Penafort and King James I of Aragon and Catalonia in 1218. It was a time of persecution of Christians by the Moors who had invaded Spain. Our Lady of Mercy requested the foundation of a religious order dedicated to rescuing Christians held captive. The apparition led to the establishment of the Royal and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and Redemption of Captives, known as Mercedarians. Mary’s merciful hand assists those feeling helpless, offering solace and strength.

Reflecting on the four gardens, Father Miguel González, rector of St. James Cathedral in Orlando noted, “At Queen of Angels Cemetery, the presence of Our Blessed Mother brings consolation to those who grieve and mourn, finding comfort, finding hope, finding a mother that genuinely cares and embraces us in her maternal love as she leads us to her Son.”

Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, June 5, 2025