“THREE SISTERS”
Terra Cotta Sculpture by Marica Hefti

“THREE SISTERS” a 30 foot long and 8 foot tall freestanding outdoor terra cotta bas-relief combined with a 6 foot tall free standing sculpture and a 9 foot tall steel tree.
“Three Sisters” tells the story of Penrose-St. Francis hospitals from the first three Franciscan Sisters and the Sisters of Charity to the three still active ones of today. From humble beginnings helping miners and victims of train accidents and tuberculosis to the full service medical center of today. The story also takes us from a small German chapel to the magnificent facility now standing in this place.
Sometimes quite descriptive, often symbolic it endeavors to unfold a story of service to the community in a three-dimensional picture book made of terra cotta and steel.
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THE TREE OF SAINT FRANCIS
The light shining through Saint Francis symbolizes the power and the love of our creator. Along the bottom of the tree trunk the light shines through the cut letters of the Saint’s admonition to the birds: GO PRAISE AND LOVE YOUR CREATOR.
The tree limbs manifest the strength of faith.
The dancing copper disks/leaves tell of true joy

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PANEL ONE: THE SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF SAINT FRANCIS
In 1893 Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel founded Saint Francis Hospital together with Dr. B. P. Anderson, a physician and surgeon for the Midland Railroad Company.
Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel’s terra cotta sculpture holding a cross in her left hand (as seen on the most popular photograph of her) stands by the panel. Along the hem of her gown is her motto: HE LEADS – I FOLLOW.

Telling the story
The compositional elements or sub-panels:

• “The Crucifix of San Damiano”. The original painting in Assisi is the most beloved crucifix of the followers of Saint Francis. Also called “The Franciscan Cross” it’s the Christ on this cross who uttered the fateful words: “FRANCIS, REBUILD MY HOUSE”.

• St. Francis wearing the stigmata is at the upper right hand corner.

• An old Steam Engine represents the reason and the means of Mother Maria Theresia and the three first sisters’ coming to Colorado Springs.

• Saint Francis Hospital 1893. Three sisters of Saint Francis standing in front of their new hospital.

• A Guardian Angel holding a German chapel pays homage to Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel’s German heritage. It also invokes protection for the art work

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PANEL TWO: THE SISTERS OF CHARITY
In 1893 Mrs. Glockner, widow of Dr. Glockner, founder of the Glockner Sanatorium in Colorado Springs, asked the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, Ohio, to assume ownership of the Sanatorium.
Julie Penrose widow of Spencer Penrose, who earned his fortune in copper mining and real estate development, officially dedicated the Penrose Cancer Center Pavilion in 1941.
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services was officially created in July 1990 as a result of the 1987 agreement between the Sisters of St. Francis of Colorado Springs and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, Ohio

Telling the story
The compositional elements or sub-panels:

• A Sister of Charity in 1950’s habit is the centerpiece of panel two.

• Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (upper left-hand corner). Founder of the Parochial School System in the USA she once said: I SHALL BE THE MOTHER OF MANY DAUGTERS.

• Penrose Hospital dedicated in 1959.

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help or “Maria-Hilf” (upper right-hand corner). After a painting by Lucas Cranach, the Elder (original copy in the artist’s collection). This is the artist’s personal devotion acknowledging Saint Elizabeth’s own deep dedication to the Mother of God.

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PANEL THREE: THE SISTERS OF TODAY
The third panel is dedicated to the health practitioners and staff of the new Saint Francis Medical Center.

Telling the story
The compositional elements or sub-panels:

• A Sister in modern garb is holding an injured man. The resemblance to the many “Pieta” sculptures throughout the world is intentional since Christ is in all of us but most of all in the suffering and in those in need.

• Pikes Peak and the new Saint Francis Medical Center building dominate the top panels.

• A rescue helicopter is coming in for a landing.

• A Sister in contemporary nurse’s uniform is holding a newborn baby.

• Portraits of the three Sisters still active in 2008: Sister Lou Krippel, OSF, Sister Immaculata Park, OSF and Sister Rose Virginia Brown, SC.