Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the National Sculpture Society.

A statue of St. Elizabeth Hospital’s namesake now resides at the Enumclaw facility.

A dedication of the new bronze statue of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, crafted by acclaimed artist Mardie Rees, was on Sept. 29.

Commissioned by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH), the statue portrays Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (b.1207–1231), a princess celebrated for her compassion for the poor. Known for the “Miracle of the Roses,” she secretly carried food from the castle to the needy, once revealing a cascade of roses when asked to show her cloak’s contents. At age twenty, after her husband’s death, she used her dowry to build a hospital for the poor at the base of a mountain, embodying her legacy of care and compassion.

The project began in 2022 when Rees visited Saint Elizabeth Hospital, set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Rainier. VMFH sought to honor Sister Jude Connelly, who served the health system for over forty years by commissioning a bronze statue. Although Sister Jude’s battle with cancer prevented frequent studio visits before her passing in March 2024, Rees used photos of her as a young woman to capture her kind, generous, and spirited essence in the statue’s design and portrait.

The bronze sculpture depicts Saint Elizabeth descending with a basket of bread for the hungry, her wind-swept cloak adorned with over fifty blooming roses symbolizing divine miracles. “This piece blends nourishment (bread) and divine grace (roses), creating a complex yet vibrant design,” said Rees. “The quantity of roses coming alive, spiraling, tumbling, and blowing out of her cape really mattered to me because I wanted people to feel God’s abundant love, bringing her story to life.” The statue, showing a young woman in period clothing with a crown and flowing cloak complete with roses and bread, symbolizes Saint Elizabeth’s storied devotion to her community.

Rees’ process involved small clay studies, a quarter-scale maquette, and a foam armature enlarged for the final clay sculpture. A model posed in period clothing to perfect the dress folds, ensuring authenticity. The result, cast at Reinmuth Bronze Foundry, is a dynamic bronze masterpiece, captivating from every angle.

An internationally recognized artist, Rees is an elected member of the National Sculpture Society and a multiple award winner from the Portrait Society of America, Marine Heritage Foundation, and Art Renewal Center. Her prior works include “Saint Anne” (Saint Anne Hospital, Burien, 2023) and “Saint Anthony & Child” (Saint Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor, 2008).

Artist Mardie Rees with her statue of the “Miracle of Roses.” Submitted photo