Michelangelo's Pieta to arrive in Southern California before Christmas 2014

MISSION HILLS, Calif., Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The first ever Vatican approved re-creation made from a mold of Michelangelo's Pieta will be unveiled December 14th 2014 during the 4pm mass at Bishop Alemany High School, presided over by Bishop Jerald Wilkerson.
(11111 Alemany Drive Mission Hills, California 91345)

Newly appointed Principal David Chambers when hearing that the Pieta was being donated to his school was overwhelmed. "What a blessing to have one of the most magnificent art pieces in history come to our chapel, when I first heard it, I couldn't believe it." Soon he found that it was true, the legendary statue of Mary holding Jesus at the crucifixion would take residence at Bishop Alemany.

The Bishop Alemany Art Department requested that the pedestal on which the Pieta sits be left unfinished so that art students can finish it themselves.

Arte Divine, founded by David Newren, exclusive VOF publisher of Michelangelo Masterwork Sculptures, has cast "Michelangelo's Saint Peter's Pietà" using a Vatican- authorized mold of the original marble sculpture in The Basilica of St. Peter, Vatican City, Rome. This casting is faithful in every detail to Michelangelo's original. This limited edition Cast was created using a proprietary Carrara marble blend and then painstakingly hand-finished and polished by master artisans.The work of these Master Artisans ensures that every intricate detail of the original masterpiece is exact —- from the nuanced folds in Mary's garments, the lifeless muscles of Jesus' body, the luminous expression of Mary's touchingly expressive face, to the bold personal signature of Michelangelo, which adorns the delicate sash that runs across her chest and left shoulder — the Pietà is truly a masterwork that demands to be witnessed in all its monumental glory.

"It is the Mission of Arte Divine and The Vatican Observatory Foundation to bring this monumental masterwork to112 permanent locations, Catholic Cathedrals, Churches, Hospitals and Academic settings around the world and thereby touch the souls of millions of the faithful that will never have the opportunity to travel to the Basilica of St. Peter, Vatican City, Rome, to stand before the world's most divinely inspired masterwork that is Michelangelo's Pietà."

David Newren

The 112 Vatican authorized castings of the marble statue were financed by Southland entrepreneur Richard G. Stewart and his wife of 48 years Esther Fresquez Stewart. The Stewarts financed Arte Divine by making the initial purchase that allowed Newren to bring this long awaited dream to fruition. Richard and Esther plan to donate 11 Pietas starting with Bishop Alemany, then Esther Fresquez's family church in Soccoro Texas followed by Richard's family church in Rome, New York where he served as an altar boy.

"Esther and I are honored that 515 years after Michelangelo completed this magnificent work we can purposefully place the limited re-creations around the world. We hope that these "Pietas" will serve as beacons that will touch, move and inspire people who would otherwise not be able to see the original, in Rome, Italy."

Richard G Stewart

About Richard G. Stewart:

Richard G. Stewart is the CEO of Help Worldwide (www.helpwwinc.com), a humanitarian organization that benefits charities through loyalty programs as well as Chairman of the Board of WorldPriest INC. North America (www.worldpriest.com). Stewart stated "God has blessed my life in many ways, in my marriage, with my children and in my business. I am honored that God has allowed me to be a part of blessing Bishop Alemany High School with a Pieta as well as the other homes my family finds for our 11 Pietas. Giving them away has been a glorious undertaking. I thank God daily"

For more information and news agencies interested in covering the unveiling of the Pieta at Bishop Alemany High Schoolcontact Ashley Rossetti at Help Worldwide –

Help Worldwide 24254 Main Street Suite 200, Newhall, CA 91321

Phone: +1 (661) 286-4334     E-mail: [email protected]

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SOURCE Help Worldwide