Story behind the statue

By Darrel Lejeune on Thursday, May 27, 2021
P.O.W. promises memorial to Mother Mary in thanksgiving for safe return to Basile
  • These two descendants of the late Staff Sergeant Oris Redlich recently participated in the May crowning ceremony of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Piper Redlich (left) is the great-granddaughter of Oris Redlich. Kennibeth Burgess (right) is his great-great niece. (Photo by Deneen Ortego)
    These two descendants of the late Staff Sergeant Oris Redlich recently participated in the May crowning ceremony of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Piper Redlich (left) is the great-granddaughter of Oris Redlich. Kennibeth Burgess (right) is his great-great niece. (Photo by Deneen Ortego)
  • Staff Sergeant Oris Redlich - 25 years old (1942) (Photo courtesy of Redlich family)
    Staff Sergeant Oris Redlich - 25 years old (1942) (Photo courtesy of Redlich family)
  • CROWNING MARY - Fifty-seven first communicants plus the Sodality girls and the Holy Name boys, the altar boys, the men and women of the CCD, the local nuns, and other congregants were among the procession for the 1952 May crowning at St. Augustine Church. (Chunkie’s Photography, courtesy of Redlich family)
    CROWNING MARY - Fifty-seven first communicants plus the Sodality girls and the Holy Name boys, the altar boys, the men and women of the CCD, the local nuns, and other congregants were among the procession for the 1952 May crowning at St. Augustine Church. (Chunkie’s Photography, courtesy of Redlich family)
  • Father Armand Cyr stands in front of the Our Lady of Grace statue. (circa 1946) (Photo by the late Melvin Hester)
    Father Armand Cyr stands in front of the Our Lady of Grace statue. (circa 1946) (Photo by the late Melvin Hester)
  • Praying the Rosary (2012) around the Virgin Mary statue after it was moved to the front lawn of the rectory. Several Redlich family members were in attendance including Lyle and Lowell, twin sons of Oris Redlich, visible at far left. (from the files of The Basile Weekly)
    Praying the Rosary (2012) around the Virgin Mary statue after it was moved to the front lawn of the rectory. Several Redlich family members were in attendance including Lyle and Lowell, twin sons of Oris Redlich, visible at far left. (from the files of The Basile Weekly)
  • The calendar from Redlich’s pocket Bible, marking the dates of his captivity in a German P.O.W. camp during World War II. ( Redlich family image)
    The calendar from Redlich’s pocket Bible, marking the dates of his captivity in a German P.O.W. camp during World War II. ( Redlich family image)
The beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary that graces the front lawn of the St. Augustine Church Rectory has been watching over the local church parish and the entire Basile community for 75 years. The story behind her erection here is rooted in American history as well as local history and is highly appropriate to share as we approach this Memorial Day weekend. Journal According to a…

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