Homeless Jesus, Dublin, Ireland

@JudyEv (326601)

Rockingham, Australia

April 26, 2023 7:39am CST

This statue of a homeless man is situated in the grounds of Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral. There was no notice nearby so I googled and found that the statue is called ‘Homeless Jesus’. Sculpted by Tim Schmalz, the Cathedral won the sculpture after Schmalz chose the site after visiting many in Dublin. When I first saw the figure from behind, I thought it was a real person which is, apparently, a common reaction. It’s only on seeing the stigmata on the feet, that some would realise it depicts Jesus. While the sculpture has a spiritual depth, it is also ‘of the moment’ and multidenominational. It seems a North American Episcopalian benefactor gave the money to enable the statue to find a home in Dublin. From what I read, the same statue can be seen in quite a few cities around the world.

16 people like this

17 responses

@shaggin (71678)

• United States

26 Apr 23

Wow it sure does look real at first glance even in a photo. A sad reminder but really makes you think.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

There are so many homeless and it's getting worse by the day it seems.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (158582)

• United States

30 Apr 23

It has a double meaning for sure. Homelessness is getting to be a real problem, especially in warm states such as California. Something must be done.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 May 23

Our rent prices are incredibly high here and more and more are finding it hard to manage.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 May 23

@LindaOHio I worry for our son in Melbourne. If he ever gets evicted (and he's living in almost a hovel) he could well end up on the streets.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (158582)

• United States

3 May 23

@JudyEv Unfortunately it's the same here. I would never pay the rents they are asking. I'm glad we're retired and that our bills are manageable.

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@marguicha (216342)

• Chile

26 Apr 23

The sculpture is very moving. Homelessless is now so terrible and so common.

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@marguicha (216342)

• Chile

26 Apr 23

@JudyEv Thank you for the post and the picture.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

I found it very impressive. It is VERY realistic. I thought it was a real man for a while.

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@rebelann (111416)

• El Paso, Texas

27 Apr 23

It's amazing how someone can sculpt something so detailed.

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@rebelann (111416)

• El Paso, Texas

27 Apr 23

I would love to actually see and touch those but I suppose no one actually touches those statues, do they?

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@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Apr 23

@rebelann You do see people touching them and I've touched them too before today.

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@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr 23

I think so too. It just looks so 'real'.

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@LadyDuck (460361)

• Switzerland

26 Apr 23

It is a beautiful bronze sculpture, for sure I have seen one in Italy, not far from Milan.

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@LadyDuck (460361)

• Switzerland

27 Apr 23

@JudyEv I am almost sure I have also seen one in Spain, in Madrid if I remember well.

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@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

It seems there are several around the world.

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@rakski (112925)

• Philippines

26 Apr 23

I thought it was a real homeless person

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@rakski (112925)

• Philippines

26 Apr 23

@JudyEv I need to zoom it to see clearly and the stigmata

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr 23

@rakski I'm not sure that the stigmata will show up.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

I did too when I first saw it.

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@AmbiePam (85975)

• United States

27 Apr 23

I bet it touches a lot of people.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr 23

I should think it would as it's very realistic.

1 person likes this

@m_audrey6788 (58482)

• Germany

26 Apr 23

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

I gather you liked it.

1 person likes this

@m_audrey6788 (58482)

• Germany

27 Apr 23

1 person likes this

@RebeccasFarm (86976)

• United States

26 Apr 23

Yes I had seen pics of this, but it wasnt there when I were there Judy. It is very touching ...

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr 23

It is indeed. I was quite sure it was a person until I got closer.

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (62713)

• United States

26 Apr 23

Very vivid detail of Jesus’ words, “I was homeless and you did not take me in….as often as you failed to do this to the least of my brothers, you failed to do it to me.”

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

Good point and very vivid indeed.

1 person likes this

@sol_cee (38222)

• Philippines

28 Apr 23

That’s really heartbreaking to think about Jesus being homeless

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr 23

Yes, that's true.

@aureliah (24321)

• Kenya

26 Apr 23

Thats a very beautiful sculpture

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

I thought so too. I thought it was a real person for a while.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (13477)

• Hong Kong

26 Apr 23

That is a nicely crafted sculpture.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

It is extremely well done. Very realistic.

1 person likes this

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27 Apr 23

Yeah wonderful statue.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Apr 23

I'm glad you like it.

@BarBaraPrz (45669)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

26 Apr 23

Yes, it was sculpted by a Canadian, Timothy Schmalz. The original sculpture was installed at Regis College (the Jesuit School of Theology), University of Toronto, in early 2013. Over 100 casts of the statue have been installed worldwide since 2016. There's even one on the Via della Conziliazione, the street leading to St. Peter's Basilica outside of the Papal Office of Charities.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

Thanks for the additional information. I knew there was one in Rome somewhere. I didn't know there were 100 of them made.

1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (14079)

• Philippines

26 Apr 23

That's a great way of saying that we should see Jesus in every man, even the homeless. And it's multidenominational as being kind to others, most especially the needy and ignored people is multidenominational..

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

I thought it carried a very strong message.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (96390)

• Marion, Ohio

26 Apr 23

It could be mistaken for a person

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326601)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

I thought it was a real person. That's just how they lie on benches!

1 person likes this