On the commission of the Bella Pastora to the artist Javier Viver

The Virgin Bella Pastora

The sculpture of the Virgin of the Bella Pastora de Iesu Comunio was born as a result of the commission received by the sculptor Javier Viver. The reason for the commission was the foundation of the new monastery for the sisters of the new community located in Aguilera. Mother Veronica, its foundress, is the one who commissioned a Virgin to be called the White Virgin or Bella Pastora.

The Bella Pastora is a life-size sculpture. The Virgin is pregnant and seated with her hands on her chest, head slightly tilted forward, eyes closed and prayerful gesture.

From the Hermitage to the Cloister

At first the destination of the Bella Pastora would be the hermitage. The hermitage is a place where only the sisters have access. However, when the sculpture arrived at the monastery they decided to place it in the cloister. The main purpose is that both the sisters of Iesu Communio and the pilgrims who visit them could have access to the Virgin.
And so it was, so La Bella Pastora has become a true icon of the place. Pilgrims not only approach the sculpture of the Virgin to pray to her, but also touch her and lean on her lap as a normal attitude when they have an encounter with her.

Why a seated virgin?

The concept of making a seated virgin arose from the idea of closeness. The need to create a sculpture that invites to approach and with which we all find an identification. A pregnant virgin that carries in her interior the divine verb. Virgin with closed eyes that invite to an inner journey. A gesture typical of our mother who is contemplating all the things that have happened to her. 

La Bella Pastora should fully reflect the philosophy of the sisters of Iesu Communio. A philosophy that goes from the recollection of the community to the welcoming character they have when they receive pilgrims. That is why at Iesu Communio they are attended to, listened to and cared for.

The whole project had a germinal point. That of the birth of the Iesu Comunio movement, which at that time was not yet approved, and which, consequently, was linked to the image of the Virgin as something new.

THE BEAUTIFUL SHEPHERDESS