There is no image in sacred art more tender, more devastating, or more consoling than the Piet Our Lady holding the body of her Son, just taken down from the Cross. This 14-inch Piet Garden Statue by Massarelli’s, made in the USA, brings that image into your garden, grotto, or memorial space in weather-resistant natural stone concrete, finished in a beautiful Old Stone patina that deepens every detail of Mary’s grief-stricken face, the drape of her robes, and the lifeless weight of Christ in her arms.

Modeled after Michelangelo’s Vatican Piet carved between 1498 and 1499 and housed in St. Peter’s Basilica this statue carries the same compositional power as the original: Mary seated, monumental and still, holding her Son across her lap in a moment outside of time. The “PIETA” inscription on the base anchors the piece with quiet solemnity. At 25 pounds of solid natural stone concrete, it has the permanence and presence to serve as the centerpiece of any outdoor prayer space for decades.

A Statue for Lent and for Our Lady of Sorrows

The Piet speaks most directly to the faithful during two sacred seasons. During Lent and Holy Week, as the Church walks with Christ through his Passion and death, the image of Mary holding her Son is the image of the Church itself grieving, faithful, waiting. Many Catholics place a Piet statue in their home or garden during Lent as a devotional focal point for prayer, the Stations of the Cross, and Good Friday meditation.

The second great occasion for the Piet is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows September 15th, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast honors the Seven Sorrows of Mary, of which the sixth sorrow is the Descent from the Cross the precise moment the Piet depicts. A Piet statue placed in a garden or grotto is one of the most fitting devotional expressions of this feast. September 15th is also a deeply meaningful day to give or receive a Piet as a gift.

About This Statue

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The Piet A Brief History

The word piet is Italian for “pity” or “compassion,” and as a subject in sacred art it depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Christ after the Crucifixion. The image has no single Gospel source it is a devotional composition that emerged in medieval Germany and spread throughout Europe as a focus for meditation on the Passion. The greatest of all Piet sculptures is Michelangelo’s Vatican Piet, carved from a single block of Carrara marble when he was just 24 years old and installed in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where it has been venerated by pilgrims for over 500 years.

What makes Michelangelo’s composition so enduring and what this statue honors is its theological paradox: Mary appears young, almost serene, while holding the full weight of her dead Son. Art historians have noted that Michelangelo intentionally made Mary ageless outside of time because she who was preserved from sin does not age as we do. The grief is real; the peace is also real. It is the image of faith that does not deny suffering but holds it.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15th) invites the faithful to meditate on the Seven Sorrows the seven piercing griefs Our Lady bore throughout her life, foretold by the prophecy of Simeon: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35). The sixth sorrow the Descent from the Cross and the Piet moment is the subject of this statue. Praying the Seven Sorrows Rosary before a Piet image is one of the most ancient and beloved devotions associated with this feast.

About Massarelli’s

Massarelli’s is one of America’s most trusted manufacturers of outdoor religious statuary and garden sculpture. Every piece is cast in the USA by skilled craftsmen using natural stone concrete a material chosen for its permanence, weather resistance, and ability to hold fine sculptural detail across decades of outdoor display. Massarelli’s statues are found in Catholic gardens, grottos, parishes, cemeteries, and homes across the country.

The Perfect Gift For

Important Shipping & Delivery Information

This statue is made to order and ships within 20 business days. Rush shipping is not available. Please plan accordingly, especially for gifts tied to Lent, Holy Week, or a specific feast day.

Upon delivery, please inspect your statue immediately. Massarelli’s securely packages all statuary, but shipping damage can occasionally occur with heavy stone pieces. If you see a crack or break upon delivery, do not accept the statue. Photograph the damage, refuse the delivery, and contact Catholic Faith Store right away using our Contact Us form or by phone we will make it right.

This statue is 14 inches tall and ships via UPS no freight carrier or scheduled delivery window is required.

If you have any questions before or after ordering, please do not hesitate to contact us.