Maria Spes crumbles

For close to 200 years, the statue given the title Maria Spes (literally Mary, our hope) has watched over the southern part of Independence Square, formerly Marine Square, from its alcove in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Sadly, in August 2013 the icon gave up its perch when workmen attempted to relocate it to attend to a structural crack on the wall behind. Seconds after the process began, the statue crumbled – a casualty of time, the elements and the extensive restoration work taking place on the church. The Raymond Syms photo, taken on the morning of the event, gives us the last glimpse of what has been part of our precious heritage.