GREENSBORO — Father Christian Cook, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro, sprinkled holy water over the new Marian prayer garden and Our Lady of Lourdes statue for its dedication May 12.
The year-long project came together just in time for the May crowning during which students placed flowers at the feet of their heavenly mother, which followed First Holy Communion and Confirmation on May 8.
“We are just so grateful,” said St. Pius X School’s Principal Antonette Aguilera. “We had a lot of really great people come out and advise us. And so many donors support us.”
The new prayer and reflection space borders the school and the church and overlooks the playground. The design originated from a watercolor rendering painted by local artist Chip Holton.
“He is a community member who loves this school,” Aguilera said. “We were sold on it, and excited to move forward with his design.”
The painting has come to life in a cross-shaped brick pathway set inside a circle, with four patches of synthetic turf dividing the landscape into four equal sections – resembling a Host.
Eight white curved benches line the circle. The main focus is an 8-foot statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.
“We scoured the country to find a Lourdes statue,” Aguilera said. “Our Lady of Lourdes is special to us because (former pastor, the late) Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio was a Knight of Malta, and we have such a strong Malta presence here. She seemed fitting for us as a school to carry on his memory.”
Leading up to the Marian garden is a line of “Hidden Rose” apple trees.
“This all began prior to our 2025 gala. We had a Marian garden already, but it needed some refreshing,” Aguilera explained. “It was not very accessible. We wanted to create a shared space for the parish and the school to pray and gather and honor our Blessed Mother.”
The new garden was erected beside the older one, memorializing the legacy of those who founded it.
The Our Lady of Lourdes statue has a connection to the church, as many members belong to the Order of Malta, which makes an annual pilgrimage there.
The steps leading down to the space were made by an Eagle Scout and were installed before Monsignor Marcaccio’s death.
“Monsignor bought the smaller Mary over here, and this cross behind her is the original lintel that was above the original convent founded by the nuns,” Aguilera said.
The project cost approximately $20,000, which was funded by a recent gala and donations for engraved memorial bricks and benches.
Aguilera said donors dedicated bricks to create a special place where they could pray for loved ones whose graves are too far away to visit regularly or to commemorate events such as a graduation, wedding or anniversary.
Parishioner Mary Thacker sponsored five bricks, one for each of her grandchildren, all of whom attended St. Pius X School.
“This is beautiful and is in such a perfect spot. It is such a wonderful place to meditate and pray,” Thacker said.
Monsignor Marcaccio already has a brick, as do the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and whenever a teacher retires, a brick will bear their name.
“It is almost like a historical timeline for us, and eventually it will be,” Aguilera said. “People that are part of our history can now stay solidly here.”
— Lisa M. Geraci
The Thacker siblings prepare for the May crowning and dedication of the new Our Lady of Lourdes statue and Marian Garden at St. Pius X Parish.