MONUMENTAL EFFORT

Tony and Mary Lariccia make good on pledge

New outdoor Stations of the Cross at National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon are crafted of Indiana limestone.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

Vindicator Religion Editor

NORTH JACKSON — The Stations of the Cross provide a prayerful journey of Christ’s Passion — from the first station on Jesus being condemned to death to the 14th, Jesus buried in the sepulchre.

At the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, the original Stations were installed in 1967. “They were made of field stones with bronze plaques attached,” said Monsignor Anthony Spinosa, rector of the shrine, which is part of the Maronite Church. The shrine was dedicated Aug. 15, 1965; construction began in late summer of 1964.

Wind, weather and water had taken a toll on the stations. “Over the years, we had a problem with them sinking. Attempts to fix them didn’t work,” Monsignor Spinosa said. “They were collapsing,” he said, noting that water froze in the joints and contributed to the crumbling.

Though the original stations were beyond repair, the bronze plaques were salvageable.

With a $160,000 donation from Tony and Mary Lariccia of Boardman, local philanthropists, the shrine proceeded with arrangements for new stations. In the fall of 2007, the Lariccias donated $100,000 to the restoration of Mary’s Tower, a landmark monument at the shrine. At that time, the Lariccias promised funds for the new stations and fulfilled that pledge.

Of the couple, Monsignor Spinosa said, “If not for the generosity of the Lariccias, we couldn’t have done this. They are wonderful people.

“They don’t require accolades but do this out of a generous spirit and devotion to Our Lady.”

The shrine remains a special place for the couple, who will be married 35 years in October. Tony Lariccia said it was the place where they would meet after a disagreement when they were dating. “She would forgive me for my hard-headedness and tell me she liked the good in me,” he said. “She told me I had a kind heart.”

When the Lariccias made the donation for Mary’s Tower, Tony Lariccia also said, “I think the Lady had a lot to do with a good marriage and happy children.” The couple have valued their Catholic faith.

Lariccia said he and his wife wanted to donate to redo the stations because it would add to the overall beauty of the shrine. They attended the dedication May 3, when the feast of Our Lady of Lebanon also was observed. He said as the group followed the Way of the Cross, the Stations in which Jesus falls, the first time, a second time and finally the third time, were especially meaningful. Lariccia recalled that Monsignor Spinosa asked the Lord to free people from all selfishness because that is the cause of discontent.

Lariccia said he has the quote, “Happiness begins when selfishness ends,” from John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach, on cards that he gives out. Other sayings include “love is the most important word”; “you are not a winner, you are not a loser, you are a chooser;” and “attitude determines altitude.”

“Prayer is the way to find serenity and tranquility, which leads to happiness,” Lariccia said.

The Lariccias also are donating wrought-iron benches that will be placed along the path of the stations. “People can sit, and pray and reflect,” he said. He also said he felt the outdoor Stations help people feel closer to God.

Monsignor Spinosa agreed. “In this wooded area, you get a sense of seclusion ... being detached from things.

“It provides a place for meditation and reflection .... outdoors in nature,” he added. He said he has noticed people coming in the early evening, when there seems to be a special quietness and serenity.

Monsignor Spinosa said the Stations of the Cross often are thought of as a Lenten devotion, but may be practiced year-round.

The new Stations of the Cross contrast with the previous ones in that they are more visible in the wooded setting. The previous ones, made of field stone, seemed to blend into the woods. “These stand out so much more,” Monsignor Spinosa said. The new Stations of the Cross are crafted from Indiana limestone and are noticeable because of their light color.

Monsignor Spinosa said each station is 8 feet tall, 3 feet wide, 8 inches thick and weighs 3,500 pounds. The bronze plaques were cleaned and attached to the new stations, which are marked by Roman numerals and have a cross cut into them.

He pointed out that the “rough-cut effect” on the arch and sides of the stations was “done by hand with a mallet and chisel.”

Monsignor Spinosa worked with the Devido Ranier Stone and Marble Co. in New Castle, Pa., on the design. “They took my suggestions and designed and executed them,” the priest said. He also credited Joe Joseph, who operates a construction company; Bill Kostelic, a construction analyst; and Lenny Lencyk, who does masonry work, and who all assisted with renovation on Mary’s Tower, with helping on this project as well.

“The workmanship is excellent,” Monsignor Spinosa said of the effort of the Devido Ranier company. The work was an 18-month project, which started a year ago last January and culminated with the dedication.

He admitted watching the installation was a bit nerve-wracking as the heavy equipment moved and positioned each station. Stainless-steel rods hold the stations in place on new foundations.

“These will last a lifetime,” Monsignor Spinosa said.