Jesus among the homeless in Braamfontein

Homeless Jesus is coming to Johannesburg! This renowned sculpture is already installed at several Catholic churches around the world, with the Joburg unveiling scheduled for 5pm on 6 February 2017 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church next to the Wits campus in Braamfontein.

Great history lies behind Homeless Jesus. The sculpture has been appreciated around the world and has touched the lives of many. Pope Francis called it “a beautiful piece of art” when he blessed it back in 2013.

At CN&CO we appreciate unique stories and we are open minded when it comes to forming new relationships and networks. Fr Matthew Charlesworth is a Jesuit priest at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and an old friend of Carel’s. The two bumped into each other last year when Matthew was ending his time in Toronto.

“I had been out, incidentally, the night before with Josie’s cousin, who owns The Painted Lady, a bar in Toronto,” says Carel. “When Matthew told me about Homeless Jesus, I knew it was a story that came from a good place – about values and helping others.”

“We are involved with various artists and initiatives that have given meaning to art, such as Business and Arts South Africa (BASA),” says Carel. “The Homeless Jesus story is just the sort of thing we love to support.”

Fr Matthew has issued an invitation on behalf of Holy Trinity to anyone who might be interested in attending the unveiling. Here are his words:

Each one of us is different and possesses different gifts and talents. We all have different ways in which we communicate and give honour to God. Timothy P. Schmalz, a world-renowned sculptor of Christian-themed works from Saint Jacobs church in Canada, honours God through art. He creates sculptures, which he describes as being visual prayers.

While others may produce art to be appreciated for its beauty and emotional power, Timothy believes his purpose is to create art that has the power to convert, and sculptures that deepen spirituality.

Timothy created a sculpture known as Homeless Jesus, which was inspired by Matthew 25:35-40. This is a bronze metal sculpture depicting a figure of Jesus as homeless. He is sleeping on a bench, covered in a blanket with only his pierced feet showing – that being the only indication that indeed it is Jesus. The sculpture is said to suggest that Christ is with the marginalised in society. Its primary purpose is to raise awareness of the marginalised, challenge and inspire society to be more compassionate and charitable and to act upon that inspiration.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church is calling on people in the art world and those who might have interest to join them for the unveiling of the sculpture of Homeless Jesus. The unveiling will happen in the presence of the many homeless people that regularly attend Monday evening activities at the church.

The unveiling will take place at 5pm on 6 February 2017 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 16 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein.

GPS co-ordinates: -26.19228 28.03305 / 26°11’32.2″S 28°01’59.0″E.